by Jasmine Barrios as originally posted at Philippine Online Chronicles “Ikaw kasi!” Olivia blurted out to her friend Rose as they assessed the outcome of a project presentation. Prior to the big day, each of them had two different takes on the client’s proposal. After much debate, Olivia gave in to Rose’s peg but the … Read More →
Don’t you think this is a lovely butterfly? Whenever a butterfly flutters about in the garden, I smile with the thought that Luijoe is in another life with greater beauty and freedom. But I believe the butterfly’s life cycle – metamorphosis – represents my new life after the death of my precious son. THE EGG: … Read More →
With Coy at the Celebrating the Lucky 0917 with Globe in 2010. Photo credit: Jane Uymatiao Oh God. No. He is way too young…he is just as old as my eldest girl. Another fine young man gone too soon. It breaks my heart. There are no words to express this gut-wrenching pain. I reach out … Read More →
“If someone cries in front of me, I consider it a gift.” , a friend told me one Saturday afternoon. Every third Saturday of the month, I receive this gift during the monthly meeting of The Compassionate Friends. I am honored to receive it. It’s quite common to hear oh she is so brave! when … Read More →
It’s that time of the year that I declutter my home. The library which is located in my home office is often filled with books because my family members are book lovers. As I reviewed the books on the top shelf, I screamed with delight upon discovering my son’s yearbook in Family Montessori Katipunan , … Read More →
One thing I love about my change planner are suggested actions. Last Monday, January 6 was Cuddle Up Day! Snuggle and cuddle. It’s high time to warm it up with someone special or well, something special (your stuffed toy, your pillow, your pet cat and dog, all up to you) Cuddling is quite a normal … Read More →
Perhaps it’s the wine, or perhaps it’s the great meal, but when it’s time to give out the gifts under the Christmas tree, it’s so easy to remember similar times in the past, and to remember how the gifts of the past years have also given people happiness. And so it is with nostalgia – … Read More →
I live by ‘Go big or go home.’ That’s with everything. It’s like either commit and go for it or don’t do it at all. I apply that to everything. I apply that to relationships, I apply that to like sports, I apply that to everything. That’s what I live by. That’s how I like … Read More →
My three siblings in the US once sent me a Thanksgiving prayer citing our parents for the gifts we continue to receive even after their deaths. There will be one Thanksgiving day that I will surely join in their celebration. In honor of Thanksgiving Day, I have a lot to be thankful for today and … Read More →
Lighting our candles and remembering our children’s smiles, Is the perfect combination of our children’s lights and lives. For their lights still shine brightly and help us to see the way, The 17th annual Worldwide Candle Lighting of The Compassionate Friends will be held on Sunday, December 8, 2013 at the Kiosk area, Church of … Read More →
Seven days after Typhoon Yolanda, and relief is slowly getting through. I will not talk anymore of the devastation but the many emotions that face us today and probably for the next few months. Denial , anger and shock are the initial reactions from this massive devastation caught on photos and videos. I was appalled … Read More →
In every meeting of The Compassionate Friends, we provide positive ways for grief management. We believe that the only way to truly relieve the pain is to work through the grief. Once we had “Creative ways of Remembering your loved one“. The topic was about “Healing through Journaling” or Grief Journaling[/tag] by Leah Eriguel, a … Read More →
Treat yourself like you already are what you would like to become”Wayne Dyer You know the saying bilib sa sarili (Believe in oneself) can come off as conceited or even narcissistic. Yet, I practice it all the time. Believing that I am actually a confident person until I actually become more confident. Four years ago, … Read More →
Positive thinking is something I had to re-learn as family tragedies befell one after the other. With 5 deaths in my immediate family (including my son), it might seem I am immune to pain. It never gets easier. Along the way, I learned to improve my life, change and reinvent myself. Allow me to share … Read More →
Numb feelings. That was my defense mechanism during the peak of my grief. I needed to shut down the emotional part of myself to survive the unspeakable grief that befell my family. I shut down the part of me that felt anger, sadness, fear, joy and perhaps, love. It was an unhealthy move. It is … Read More →
I cannot always control what goes on outside. But I can always control what goes on inside.- Wayne Dyer It’s so easy to notice what’s wrong. It takes practice to see what’s right. I don’t know why negativity thrives in some people. Maybe they lived around negativity for years. They have become skilled at attaching … Read More →
Do you feel trapped or helpless? Do you feel like inaapi ka (you were victimized)? If I have learned anything from my past, it was my awesome ability to find misery in any situation, even the most wonderful of circumstances. Shoulders bent, head down, I shuffled through life taking these blows. How many of you … Read More →
Don’t walk behind me; I may not lead. Don’t walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend. – Albert Camus Of course you know one of my advocacy is The Compassionate Friends (TCF). Woe me , I should really be more careful when I promote TCF. … Read More →
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This is about me ( a Filipina mom) and my journey to a "new normal" after the death of Luijoe , my beautiful 6 year old son.
Recovery is a work in progress.... read more?
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