Flowers in Heaven . . .

You can be as pure as a fresh bud . . .

. . . or be as pure and grand like the bud that opens!

You can be magnificent just being you.
For in your lifetime you carried the best
and maybe, on some days, not the best of you
but surely for many days it was always your best.

I would know because I saw you bloom along the road . . .

And at times I saw you bloom in your simplicity . . .
. . . and delightful humor, and grace under pressure,
and the temperance and patience,
and the energy to bring forth
the best in everyone
including me.

This week we celebrated Elderly Week. In my community it is a week for all Senior citizens who are 60 and above. My sister Loyd is presently heading one of the many senior citizens groups in my small community. This week they had a full range of activities: tree planting, sports, entertainment (they went to watch a noontime show live in Manila!), music (they are busy rehearsing for a choir competition this month), meetings and planning, etc. Looking at them makes everyone feel that being senior does not mean dull years!
My sisters Loyd (left) and Luchie (our eldest) are the best icons for what being 'senior' is all about. They both handled managerial positions: Loyd in government service and before that in the university where she graduated and spent all her school years. Luchie set up her own management consultancy firm and both of them spent years after serving non-profit organizations. They resonate what every member of my family has done in their professional life and in the community which is to serve selflessly and with passion. And now in their retirement years, they are both enjoying and relaxing their pace. In the photograph above, they are on their way to practice for their bowling tournament (on a rainy day but who cares about the weather!) and to keep themselves fit.

People who dedicate themselves to the things that are important to them (family, career/vocations, etc.) are like beautiful flowers that inspire others. They are like macro delights that will never fade . . . just like the dedicated team of TodaysFlowers: Luiz Santilli, Laerte Pupo, Sandy Carlson and Denise G and the unstoppable Maia who is celebrating her birthday this week! I wish you good health, great flower finds to share, and the energy and commitment to sustain everybody's need for flower stories . . .

Two storms Pedring and Quiel brought rains which prompted authorities to open several dams which flooded several cities in Northern Luzon. I live in Southern Luzon and was thus spared from that ordeal. Although we experienced rains and powerful winds we were quite safe in our little Heaven. Thank you for all your prayers. It mean the world to me . . .