Meteor

“Before you, my life was like a moonless night.  Very dark, but there were stars – points of light and reason…  and then you shot across my sky like a meteor.  Suddenly, everything was on fire; there was brilliancy, there was beauty.  When you were gone, when the meteor had fallen over the horizon, everything went black.  Nothing had changed, but my eyes were blinded by the light.  I couldn’t see the stars anymore.  And there was no more reason for anything…”

- Edward Cullen to Bella Swan in New Moon

     Meteors are such fleeting things.  Unlike comets which circle the earth and are seen again after several decades, meteors flash by once and then are gone forever.  After a meteor streaks by, there is a finality to it – a close.  And it’s sad, really.

     True love is like a meteor.  It would streak by just once in your lifetime, and if you aren’t fast enough or wise enough to catch it, then it’s gone forever.  And when love is gone, so is light… so is reason…

     I guess I’m lucky that I was able to recognize my meteor for what it is: true love in the guise of friendship.  I couldn’t imagine how my life would be right now if I hadn’t found my light and my reason… if I hadn’t found James.  And I would forever be thankful for the gift of love that we now share.

 

Soaring High

     James and I have been together for almost three years now, but last week was the first time that we ever went to the movies together.  This may seem funny, but somehow, our dates in the past were not typical of a young couple.  One movie, though, peaked our interest enough to make us watch it on the big screen.  Disney-Pixar’s “Up”.

     We had high expectations for the movie, as we’ve heard so many nice things about it.  Friends told us that the movie made them cry.  What they didn’t tell us was how soon it made them cry.  James and I, emotional as we are, were crying within the first 15 minutes of the movie.  And we stopped crying just enough to give us a breather before the next round of tears start.

     One wouldn’t expect an animated film to be a tearjerker, but Up certainly is.  But more than that, the movie is a celebration of true love and of dreams that never die.  And that oftentimes, the simple far outweighs the grand.  James and I stepped out of the moviehouse wishing that we would find ourselves living a married life as happy and content as that of Carl and Ellie.

     To anyone who still hasn’t watched the movie, I strongly suggest that you do.  It might just change the way you look at life.

 

To the one who holds my heart…

Dear James, my angel,

     I know that I have been overly emotional lately, and I apologize.  I’ve tested your patience several times, and we’ve been through some rough patches, but still, here we are.  Thank you for making an effort to understand me, and thank you because despite my mood swings and crying spells, you’re still there to love me unconditionally.

     I thought that getting married would lessen my need to be with you.  I thought that the fact that we are to live in the same house, seeing each other on a daily basis, would dampen the headiness that I feel whenever I’m in your arms.  But surprisingly, getting married has intensified my need to be with you, so much that I turn into an emotional, anxious wreck when you’re not around.  I thought that I was strong, but I am only strong for as long as I am with you.  Without you, I crumble and I fall.

     With you, I am better.  With you, I can soar.  You’re the one who gave me wings after all.  You mended what was broken in me, and filled what was empty.  You made life so wonderful that I can no longer imagine life without you beside me.  Happiness equates to you.  Love equates to you.  Life equates to you…

     We’ve been through so much already, yet I know that there still are so many challenges that we have yet to face.  But I am not afraid.  Why should I be, when I know that the strength of our love is enough to overcome whatever adversities may come.  I would gladly face all tomorrows, because I am secure in your love for me.  And know that I, too, love you.  More than words can say…

Always & forever,

Raine

 

Torn

 

     James and I are trying hard to get past the business troubles we’ve been going through.  We have both decided that it would be for the best if I pursue work applications so as to meet the financial needs of our family.  With my fingers crossed, I tried applying to a few companies, and luckily, two of them called last week.  And now, I have a major dilemma.

 

Welcome to the world, Ardain Theodore!

Martha and Ardain: the cute cousins

     Mom and I were at the office waiting for James to arrive when we received a text message from my sister.  The message said that she is already in labor and would be scheduled for a C-section later in the afternoon.  Since we know that the baby is due on June 18th, we were quite surprised at the news.  We waited for James and immediately prepared to go to Cavite to be with my sister.  Unfortunately though, Martha would not be allowed to enter the hospital due to the proliferation of Influenza A-H1N1 cases and other infectious diseases.  So, James and I had to stay at home and just wait for any news from mommy.

     Ardain Theodore Espiritu Oliva was born on June 5th, 2009 at 3:35 in the afternoon.  He’s a healthy baby boy who weighed in at 6.93 lbs.  His dad was still in Australia when he was born, but Kuya Arnold was able to catch an earlier flight to the Philippines and arrived last June 7th.

     June 11th, we were ablt to visit Ate Ains at their home in Silang, Cavite.  It was a tiring 3 and a half hour drive but it was well worth it.  I was able to see my new nephew and he was adorable.  He was more behaved than Martha was when she was a newborn.  As for my sister, I’ve never seen her look happier.  And I do understand, it’s a feeling that all mother’s share.

 

Love simply is…

     Being married and being in love are two completely different things.  One is a legal and voluntary act.  The other is involuntary and knows no laws; it simply is.  Some people, by unfortunate circumstances, can never have both in perfect harmony.  While the luckier ones experience the best of both worlds.

     On the surface, there seems to be little or no difference between being boyfriend and girlfriend and being husband and wife.  Going deeper though, there is a world of difference.  Love deepens and matures.  It acquires so many different facets that there is no single angle by which your view can encompass all of it.  Heady bliss becomes quiet joy.  Exciting dates become simple togetherness.  Petty fights become mutual growth.  Reluctant giving-in becomes willing self-sacrifice.  Yet love remains love; strong and steadfast.

     James and I have experienced a lot of growing the past year.  Our married life has been full of challenges.  We both have cried countless tears and we’ve had our share of arguments.  But at the end of the day, we still are each others’ shelter.  We have become so much a part of each other that being apart almost seems to cripple us emotionally.

     I love my husband.  I love being a wife.  And no matter how difficult things may be for us sometimes, my love remains and grows deeper each passing day.

 

Nose-a-likes

James & Martha

The two most important people… and noses… in my life.

 

Precious

...my life... my miracle...

     It has been twenty-five months since James and I decided to take our friendship one step farther… one step deeper…  And we went down the path of life, no longer keeping each other at arm’s length, but rather being in each other’s arms.  For some, twenty-five months may seem like such a short time… such a shallow foundation to build a lifetime on.  But time and again, James and I have been able to affirm that what we have is more than what other people think they have or ever hope to have.

     I thank God for giving me a lifetime partner with whom I share mutual interests and mutual respect.  I cannot imagine spending my life with anyone else.  Likewise, I would never exchange all that I have now for anything else.  I am happy and I am so in love… with my hubby… and with my baby. ^.^

     Happy monthsary, my angel.  I love you and our baby infinitely.

 

To know, you must believe…

     Last April 27th – 28th, I had the opportunity to join the youth camp for Christ held at the Highlands Camp, Iba Zambales.  The two days I spent there were full of learnings and reflections that really had an impact on my spiritual life.  It provided nourishment and hope that my spirit really needs, especially with all the challenges that James and I are facing right now with our business.

 

Summer’s Gone

     I woke up this morning to the sound of raindrops pelting my windowpane.  It has been raining sporadically the past two weeks, and now, the rain has become a steady flow of water showering the thirsty ground.  And while some may consider the rainy season a drag, I personally think that it is a blessing.

     Ricefields have been parched and people have been wilted down by the high temperatures by which the summer opened.  Asphalt literally sizzled at the 40-degree centigrade days that Pinoys suffered through.  Even the beachlovers had to retreat to the shade because of the scorching heat.  Even my baby Martha breaks out into a rash because of the summer heat.  With all the dust and sweat of the hot summer days, I think the rain brings a refreshing change.

     And with the coming of the rain, summer’s gone.  We bid it adieu and welcome the wet season with upturned faces and widespread arms.