Happy Birthday Dad, 80 is the new (insert random number age) !!!

I'm dedicating this entry to my Dad.

Happy happy birthday Dad :) He just turned 80... and I'm still trying to wrap my head around that number. I'm only 33 and can only wonder what he has gone through in life, what wealth of knowledge and wisdom he has in that ever churning mind of his. For someone at that age, and with a case of prostate cacncer - he is remarkably well. Poor hearing and the obvious slowdown, balance issues, he is strong, healthy and active. I guess both his mental and physical activity contributes to his well being.

My father is a doctor by profession, and a frustrated businessman, farmer. He has told me that ever since he was growing, he has enjoyed farming. Not sure how he ended up being a doctor, but he still excelled and became/is a renowned urosurgeon. Those are might big shoes and credentials to fill, and I'm frankly scared/intimidated.

He now has a very calm and balanced view in life, very grounded and very close to God, given his experiences. I distinctly recall his saying he feels he has already felt both heaven and hell on earth, but continues to trudge along. He also considers these years as bonus, as time to spend with family, grand kids, contribute to society. His lasting reminders and lessons to me , in no particular order of importance are : (1) Gift of choice/free will - where he allows me/us to make our decisions, mistakes, etc. Case in point, I was free to choose my school, course and career path. (2) Love your family and love them unconditionally, and (3) Pray the Rosary, believe in its power, Divine Will. There would be reasons why things happen, and how we are to get through life's trials and tribulations. At age 80, he spreads such lessons and qualities to us family and friends, and the drug rehab center he founded and runs. I am happy he has found his calling, a phase wherein he was challenged by "What is life without meaning."

I cannot compare my newbie experiences and challenges to his life which includes : Being the top surgeon, potentially a leader/head in a US based organization, family troubles, getting stabbed and shot when he was young, going through a bout with cancer, life or hardship and life of plenty, and so many more. Yet he is here to continue to share and guide me, us in our own phase of life. It comes across as persistent and repeating, but after you step back, there is no harm done, only meant to help us. He has had chances to be in the US, be more financially stable or "set" but I am glad and heartwarmed that he chooses to "battle" and go through the grind with us here in Manila, even with my siblings who look up to him as their father as well. He has and continues to leave such a mark to people around

I don't know how things will end up, and frankly scared of what will happen, what will happen next. I am not close to my dad as I would want, and that is on me as well. But I will surely apply his lessons, his zeal and passion to life and family to my family to honor and respect him. I hope I can make him proud someday and emulate his qualities in some way. I guess I'll need to start talking and hugging him more, not just when I have problems or when I am struggling, confused.

All I know is that I love him, and I have no doubt, cannot go against or question that he loves me. I hope I can become as selfless as he him someday, maybe even soon.

So cheers to you Dad, Doctor, Father, Friend, Servant of God :)

Oh Boy, Kids & Family can Really Change Your Life...

I love my daughters

I don't know if I can say that or show that enough. Cielo is turning 4 this December, and enjoys school. She is boyish, active, sweet and smart/talkative. Never ceases to surprise us with what she says, thinks, can do in and out of the home. She has Mommy's looks, sweetness, and as per consensus, Daddy's naughty, mischievous streak.

Camilla is handful but sweet 9 month baby. She loves to eat, and is bigger for her age. And thats a bit of bad news, as she loves to be carried, rendering the stroller and crib useless :) At least it will help as alternative work out/weights for us hehe.

Baby #3 underway, we're not yet sure if its a boy or girl. I thought I wanted a boy, but at this point, it doesn't matter. Boy, Girl, its not as important as either way, he or she is a blessing. :) I think I recall that from my Dad, that all children, babies are a blessing. It was reinforced by my Uncle in law Tito Eddie, godfather at our wedding, that with each child, there comes a corresponding blessing. We may not see it, or not know it, but it will be there. Maybe a promotion here, or a new house/car there, or even some event that we overlook (good health, good fortune). So, if a girl, sorry kiddo, you will be hand-me-down girl, if a boy, then Mommy will have her endearing Mommy's boy, and my possible basketball playmate. Either way works.

In hindsight, Cielo brought about the new, small but wonderful home we got. Camilla, a new start for both of our careers (more on that later I guess), Baby#3, who knows, but I will welcome it, be appreciative. There will be times I'll struggle to grasp or remember it, but it will be apparent and evident at some point.

I look forward to  coming home to see my daughters, asleep or playing, crying or whining. I look to give them a warm hug and kiss before I leave. I may not show it all the time, or get to be the best dad or provider for them, but they are the reason I am alive and look forward to life. I tend to kid my wife, that hopefully she is not too envious as 2 other women have replaced here or in competition right now, as most beautiful, for my attention and love :) I think she is ok with it hehe.

My kids have caused me to change my view on life, and be a focal point or reason. Camilla's thought helped me from being depressed, suicidal even for a very small, brief point. Cielo is a reminder of how fast things grow, change and there are still so much to do, to be done, with them and for them. Not bad for someone who never sees too far ahead than just 2-3 yrs, or never imagined to be a dad, family man when I graduated at 21.

Thanks God for my kids, and for your continued love and blessing.

Woods

Happy Birthday to this blog (Aug 5, 2015)

Hello online, blogger world :)

Newbie here, and today is the considered birthday of this blog - Aug 5, 2015. No better time to start a blog I guess, 33 might be the new 18 (or whatever random renewal age) for me is.

I go by the name of woods, Filipino dad of 2, will be 3 kids by November and married/blessed to a wonderful wife. I have never written, much less have an online or social media account. But I have always been intrigued and curious to have one. At best I troll my wife's FB to get a glimpse of common friends, feedback on pictures of my beautiful daughters :)

Recent events in my life have caused me to question, think about a lot, and figure writing my thoughts as a venue or release may be best. This can be a form of appreciation, chance to channel my energy into (who knows) something positive that I can reflect down the line. Thanks Dad for inspiring me to write as well.

I am, was never a writer per se, so please forgive me if my thoughts jump from one idea to another. I even end up writing ahead what I have on my mind, thinking or filtering it later. Hehe, I have been advised about that in my professional career earlier as well, but its difficult to change/overcome. You will also notice I have or use many words in one sentence, kind of a run on sentence to try to paint/capture the idea or picture as best I can. My reading is also limited to certain books given to me, comics/graphic novels and website searching, browsing.

So keep me grounded, keep me sane, bear with my randomness and help me become a decent (?) blogger, as I try to keep things in positive light and perspective in my life, from this day on moving forward. Its amazing how I managed to mess up my life the past months, years, and find that chances, opportunities and God manages to keep calling me back. I won't pretend to be uber or super religious at all, I am far from it, but you will find that I am (I hope) now more open and receptive to his Grace and how he plays a role in my life.

Well here goes nothing...

Woods