St Valentine's Day

Romance is nothing if not seasonal , consumerist, functional and in denial.

It is that time of the year again when fools rush in and cash registers rollin'. We live in an emotionally and sexually repressed society and we are driven by fear and an overly self-concious mentality that prevents us from confronting our feelings and communicating them. Because we think we have no choice, we do the practical and the safe option is to either do nothing or do the cliched.

Forget about buying overpriced roses, dining at ridiculously priced restaurants. We live in a world that we are trapped in consumerism. Everything is about money. Without money, it seems that one is not entitled to be loved. Does that mean that the more you splurge, the greater your love for him/her?.

There are many other non-monetary ways to express oursleves.

Some may argue that it is that time of the year to express their undying love and commitment. I beg to differ. It is often subjective, does that mean that for the rest of the year, we neglect it instead?. Everyday should Valentines' day, if not, its time to find another valentine....

Think about it. Why do we all have to jump onto the 'wagon'? Does that make you any diiferent from the rest?, Does that make you less of who you are just because you are out of that "circle"?

A Day at Villa Francis

Second visit to Villa Francis, another overwhelming and emotional mood engulfs me whenever i'm there.
Reality stares straight at you, where you can see and touch.

Mass was celebrated for them and im glad i can do my part. Peace was in the air.

That same old lady with her trusty walking stick sits just across, that same seat which i remembered the last time, guess its where she'll be every week. Her grey hair neaty clipped on one side, as if age spared her from shedding those once beautiful and gleaming streaks.
The way she props herself up with her stick everytime the congregation stands was admirable, it was difficult but it was for the lord. You just have that worry that she might not be there at the same seat next week. If so, im sure she's somewhere better.

We proceed to take them up to their rooms.

As i walked along the corridor pass the rooms, i see some bedridden, some strap to their chairs and some staring into space. i began to ask, why? why lord?...then for that moment, i stopped at Room 3. It was as if i had overcome fear and hesitation, i just walked straight in towards this man who was strapped to his chair, shaking and trembling at the hands and as though choking on something and needed help. He was trying to say something but couldnt, because there was a tube through his nose which obstructs and impaired his speech. I took his hand instinctively and held it with my other. The trembling stopped. That moment i looked at him and into his cataract filled eyes.

Alex was his name, 75 and suffering from an illness of the throat. He has lost all feel to his throat and lungs. There was no way he could eat and swallow but to be fed through the tube with liquid food. All i could do was to give him water.
It was hard to make up what he was trying to tell me but all he needed was someone there to listen.

Did i see him in Alex?
There and then, i knew the answer.

Please Pray for them.