Celebrating with a cause
WHEN my mom went through her cancer ordeal four years ago, I knew the toll of emotional anxiety and uncertainty it took on the family. You may not be the patient, but it doesn’t change the fact that you are worried sick. No one wishes for cancer or any chronic illness for that matter on anyone, most especially on children. The financial burden aside, just the worry on whether or not a loved one will recover from any illness for that matter is enough to kill. On a personal note, while I am extremely blessed to not have had to worry about any chronic illness or deadly disease (and hope to never have to), I have been sick a couple of times, and even something like the common cold which is capable of draining one’s energy is never something we look forward to. Then imagine yourself in the shoes of a child who has to stay in a hospital (an overfull and crowded ward at that) for prolonged periods of time because he/she is battling cancer, an infectious, or chronic disease – you will always question why.
When my birthday rolls around, I always try to find a way to celebrate by giving back, outside my everyday norm of working to bring access to early childhood education in underserved communities. Why? Simply because I always feel that it grows my world, and expands my horizons – it introduces me, and allows me to cross paths with people and individuals I otherwise would never have the opportunity of meeting in this lifetime, and gives me the invaluable satisfaction of knowing that I was somehow able to bring a smile about someone, and be a part of their life. This year, I chose to kick off my birthday weekend with a “Celebrate Life” celebration organized by the Kythe Foundation, together with 30 children in the Quirino Memorial Medical Center. Kythe is non-profit organization that works towards improving the quality of life of hospitalized children with cancer and other chronic illness to promote healing and growth.
Spending only a few hours with the children was a reminder to me that every day is indeed a blessing. That time is of the essence, and a most precious aspect of life. That health is indeed wealth, and that we should never take it for granted. It filled my heart to see how little it took to make the children happy, and to put a smile on their faces. Their strength and resilience was ever inspiring as they found it within themselves to be grateful despite being ill and the circumstance they are in. Experiences like this are always awakening, not to mention tugs at the heart strings like no other, and I am just so happy to have been given the chance to share my special day with children who really could use a bit of sunshine and as much positive energy as they can get in their lives.
Another year, another trip around the sun. I am grateful for every day – for every person that fills my days with special memories, and who are inevitably a part of my many milestones. This past year has been one like no other. It has blessed me with new adventures, things to cross off my bucket list, and of course, it did not come without any tests that fueled my own realizations of strength, resilience, and determination. As I welcome my 28 year, it is undeniable that I am really in my late twenties – much closer to 30 than I am to 20. It only means buckling up for more to come, and I can hardly wait for what the future holds. Thank you, Lord, for another year!