Hoya in Heaven!

. . . like a lover kissed by the morning dew . . .

. . . you never fail to bloom
in whatever and however moody
the weather and times may go . . .

. . . unfurling your sun-kissed pink dainty slender arms . . .

. . . and welcome me home
to your safe loving warmth . . .

Its been a busy crazy holiday week that I missed my blog! There were too many errands and events to do and go to, and like most of you, its all rush-rush-rush. I missed some wonderful events trying to balance some tasks and attended some special ones (my brother Jojo came home for the holidays from the Middle East!), and we spent the whole day catching up on our lives! Oh, I wish my other brother Joey would come home so we can all be together again!

And on a sadder note, last Christmas eve, my dog Sumo was bitten by my adopted stray cat Petrocelli. Sumo jumped at Petrocelli while Petrocelli was walking up the fence. Petrocelli, in defense, bit Sumo's right ear. I ran in panic and separated the two. My heart was broken and divided between my fear for Sumo should Petrocelli have rabies and worry for poor Petrocelli who might be hungry and not being fed elsewhere. Petrocelli decided to stay out of Heaven for a while.

It is a vulnerable time for a senior alpha dog like Sumo. Alpha dogs are leaders of a pack and Sumo's sense of authority and pride got wounded more than the ear bite (a minor wound easily cured and healed) and at a time when dogs in my island are on stress mode because firecrackers are exploding almost on a daily basis all month! Filipinos have this nasty tradition of using firecrackers to celebrate and animals have very sensitive hearing that any loud noise like gunfire and bombs exploding (yes they make fire crackers explode dangerously like these now!) cause severe trauma.

And the weeks leading to it was a hectic one (animals feel the stress of the holiday around them) not only when people deal with the rush of holiday parties but also with the recent disasters. Animals sense natural calamities before people. Almost everyone in my country (rich and poor) were busy sending help to those affected by the flash food in Mindanao (a lot of people forego parties and sent bonus paychecks to donate to the victims of the flood.)
But I am glad that I grew up with another tradition of sharing during the holidays because during this season we had a long list of people and strangers that almost always passes by our home to partake of the holiday spirit. Even with our limited means, we always prepare something for these people: grocery bags, clothes, food, candies for kids. It does not take much to spread the cheer around. Not to mention, feeding other hungry and keeper-less pets roaming (apart from our regular 'animal feeding program' for the likes of Petrocelli and the neighbor's pets who cry out in hunger) . . . Where else indeed if not this season that we can reach out and be part of our community by sharing a part of ourselves.

Someday, Sumo will learn to tolerate cats like Petrocelli again (Sumo grew up with cats before!) and in a week, the firecrackers will be gone. My dogs will not have sleepless nights anymore. . . Someday too, cats and dogs will be treated fairly and not roam around looking for food and shelter. Someday, people will not roam and look for food, for jobs and shelter as well. Someday, our local leaders will exercise the authority to govern well and avoid disasters like the one we had and really develop safer communities. And someday, my brother Jojo and people like him will not have to work overseas and be missed by families. Someday . . . .

In good times and in bad
I thank God for the gift of life . . .
for the chance to live a full and meaningful one
not in the material wealth but the richness of spirit
and to connect with as many wonderful beings
and embrace a lot of special moments
that can only come when we live in love . . .
And my Hoya plant above is my gift to all!
A wonderful, sturdy, dainty beautiful plant
that teaches us resilience, courage
and the will to survive . . .

For Maia and her MacroFlowers and plants,
for Beverly and her Pink Saturday . . .
for Lisa and her CreativeExchange
and for the TodaysFlowers team
Luiz, Laerte, Sandy and Denise . . .

I thank you all
for you are part of my world now
to where I find meaning and joy as well.

May 2012 continue to bless you with more gorgeous images
and wonderful stories shared and cherished.
And most of all for Blogger
for making it all happen!
I zap you all with good cheers and fulfillment!