Looking Back...

It is the end of another year. Indeed, 2008 has been an interesting year to look back and recall past events that bring out the best and the worse in me.

Nothing affected me more so emotionally than the passing away of my beloved mother. The loss and grief almost put my whole life into a tailspin. It broke my heart. She was all I ever had. Life will never be the same again for a while without her around. On the other hand, the sincere outpouring of support and sympathy from friends and loved ones everywhere was overwhelming. It was certainly my big source of comfort, patience and bliss.

The three-day high school homecoming celebration was a blast! It was my first in twenty-five years! The atmosphere was great and joyful and everybody seemed eager and sincere to meet old friends and classmates. In spite of the bulging beer bellies, graying hairs, balding heads and waistlines bursting at the seams, there was a feeling in the air to be teenagers again. Rekindled memories and remnants of past high school days came to life once more. The hazy skies and the light rain added nostalgia to the occasion. It was a great feeling just being out there with everyone. I felt so young again.

The road trips I took were an added respite. I took a trip with my high school classmates up to one of the far-flung barrios of our city for the first time. Located at the mountainous area of Sagay City, Barangay Puey is a beauty to behold; clean rivers, sparkling waterfalls, pristine forest, unexplored caves and fresh nippy mountain air. Driving up the scenic concrete paved zigzag road that snaked along the flanks of the mountains was a breathtaking experience for a first timer like me. I am looking forward to another exciting trip next vacation, this time complete with my photographic paraphernalia, for some spectacular shots. It is also a perfect place for retreat and relaxation.

Then there was the family trip to Mambukal Mountain Resort. Mom and I have been planning this trip for months before she got ill. She sounded so excited whenever we talked about it over the phone . Our last road trip was three years ago: a road tour around Negros island with the whole family. This time, she opted for a shorter one as she already felt “tired” to embark on another long distance travel. I promised her she was going to have a wonderful time. She was looking forward to this and even referred to as “our big date”. But God has other plans for her.

Before I went back to Saudi Arabia, I had my annual medical check-up. At first, I was a bit reluctant to submit again to the routine examination and laboratory tests. Both sides of the family had a long medical history of heart ailments, diabetes, high blood pressure and cancer. What a bunch! And with two deaths in a row (mom’s elder brother died five months before her), paranoia sat in. I could never guess what was happening inside my system as I got older. After days of restless waiting, the doctor finally gave me a clean bill of health. Whew! But there was one stern warning though – lose some weight, as I am a few stones heavier for my frame… and age.

Shifting Sands was the best thing that happened to my life before the year ended. It became a tool in honing the priceless legacy mom handed over to me – writing. She got ink in her blood and one of the best mentors of our school during her time. Because of blogging, I gained new friends and acquaintances far and wide. Not to mention a handful of nameless critics too, who are assaulting me with their acerbic wits. Well, a little more practice and focus will improve my writing skills. Darn, I should have started long time ago.

I would like to thank the following for making 2008 a very wonderful year for me:

• Rabb, for your guidance and understanding, for always taking care of me and for always being there when I needed you most
• My family and close friends, for their love, patience and understanding
• My mother for the inspiration to write again
• Dr. Wilson Tulmo, my close friend and classmate, for looking after mom while she was ill and taking the extra mile of care and attention at no cost
• Dr. Jose Mari Chua, my orthodontist, for giving me back my smile after months of misery due to a broken front tooth
• Amna, for her magnanimous all out support
• Odette B. and Joy Oh, for sharing the same passion, hopefully our tribe will grow and flourish
• Zaki, my Indian photog model, for just being the best of friends and does not mind coming to my pad at the dead of night for a chat and a stick of LM Blue just to keep me company during my boring moments
• Roy, my good-looking roommate for helping me lose weight through jogging, workouts and yucky oatmeal dinners
• Sagay CISO for finally taking me out of the Sagay City website ban list
• My high school classmates for giving me the best gimmick of the year
• Our office secretary, for always letting me bring the office laptop home after mine got stolen
• My Muslim brods and sis, for their unending prayers especially during my lowest and saddest point of my life.
• To those who wanted to remain unknown, whoever you may be, for sending those FedEx parcels of t-shirts, football jerseys and other little precious things that forever I will treasure

Putting everything together, the challenges and the slew of events may have virtually put all my priorities and targets on a rollercoaster ride. Like any of you, I too have had my own share of personal woes with health, finances, job and family.

After beating the odds, learning the lessons and concluding another interesting chapter, I would surely say that my life is worth taking one more journey around the sun.

Happy New Year!