If Life Is So Short

Yes, that is the title of the popular song by The Moffatts. I thought it apt for the coming together of the conflicting thoughts I’m having while thinking up this post. In the aftermath of Yolanda’s destruction in the country, it may seem selfish–bordering on obscene–to be celebrating life while so many lost theirs. But forgive me, it was my birthday yesterday and despite all the horrible news about Yolanda’s rampage, I gotta celebrate the occasion if only to be grateful that we were relatively untouched by the typhoon. Just the same, our hearts and prayers go out to those affected by the calamity.

(photo by Edzel Rubite)

Anywho, yesterday was the Ms. Universe 2013 pageant and we watched it along the millions other, rooting for our candidate (though I personally am not feeling her, sorry). And as Ms. Venezuela was being crowned, Francine was watching all wide-eyed with matching Woooooowww! I can’t help being amused by her reaction so I asked her if she’s gonna join the pageant when she grows up. My question was met with vigorous nodding and a wide chinky-eyed smile. 😀 So it looks like I have a future beauty queen right here. 😉

That was taken yesterday. I was asking her to pose for me, but instead of doing her usual “model” poses she gave me this pa-cute pose instead. Man, she really grows so fast. I can’t believe she’s already two and (maybe) already about to go to school next year. Gives me separation anxiety just thinking about it, though she seems all ready and eager to. 😛

Here is a picture of her last night. At first glance, it’s your ordinary pa-cute (albeit with messy hair) photo, but I want to call attention to what she’s holding. That’s her made-up ice cream cone: my grocery receipt that she twisted into a cone shape all by herself and filled with her toys. It may not seem much, but I was honestly amazed and fiercely proud. Because (1) she showed resourcefulness in creating playthings for herself out of ordinary things lying around, and (2) she was able to figure out how to make a cone out of a rectangular piece of paper without anyone teaching her. Or is that something all two-year-olds know instinctively? Either way, it makes me really happy and unbelievably proud as I see that as progress on her part. She really is my best birthday gift ever. 🙂

Speaking of gifts, I was not really planning to buy myself anything for my birthday, but at the last minute I ended up getting these Comfort Plus slide sandals from Payless Shoe Store anyway:

I got these as a replacement for my old Outland pair, since the side stitching on it has already given out. They are actually on sale and I got them for only P479.50. Not bad, eh? It’s the last pair in my size (for the record, that’s 5 1/2) and I was lucky I got it. They’re really comfy and I love that the straps are adjustable so it’s practically a custom fit for my maarte feet (which gets blistered by new footwear all too easily). Finally learning a bit of practicality there, getting something I both need and want. 😉

I’ll end this post with a little bit of rumination. When tragedies and calamities strike, we are confronted with our own mortality and that makes us want to hold on more tightly to our tenuous grip on life. It made me appreciate even more the blessings that I do have, love those around me even more. I celebrated life, because it was not taken from us when others’ were abruptly cut short. They may not exactly have died for me, but still it would be an insult to their memory to waste my life and take it for granted when they fought for their lives and lost. May their souls find peace.