Bianca's School Band Concert

My eldest daughter Bianca came home from school one day with a clarinet in her school bag. Since being a kid, Bianca has taken a particular liking for music. She sings pretty well and at age 7, can play the guitar and the keyboard almost effortlessly. She is the first (and probably the last as the rest of us are not really into music) member of the family who has learned to play a variety of musical instruments. She brought music into our home and touched our hearts in a very special way.

As clarinet is something new to her, she was all agog to make do with it. Her first attempts were of course - uhhhmmm - not very impressive and as her best critic, I had to point this out to her. Over the next couple of days, she just practiced and practiced, determined to learn at all cost. Why, she has missed a number of her favorite tv shows just to practice. One day, she surprised me with an effortless rendition of some portions of starwars theme song. It wasn't perfect but she has definitely gone a long way in such a short time.

Today, we just attended her school band concert where she, along with the rest of the choir members, participated in a musical ensemble that truly wowed the audience. It was a moving experience to witness children of different colors, of varying nationalities, united by music.

I don't speak the language of music. I don't know the difference between a wind instrument or percussion instrument or string basses or bass guitar. I don't understand how time signatures are integrated with musical notes (i'm sure my good highschool friend marissa can easily give me a crash course on this). But I do know how to appreciate good music. And what beautiful music they created - Mission Impossible, Spider Man, Pirates of the Caribbean, Best of Queen, Cartoon Symphony - to mention a few, with their individual instruments. As I write this, I continue to be in awe.

I figure that it will take me a lifetime to learn to play the guitar or the clarinet. But that is just a piece of cake to Bianca. God really does not bestow equal gifts to everyone, and for a good reason. Imagine if all of us can sing beautifully. No one is there to appreciate good music. At the risk of being branded as a proud stage mother, I will say without batting an eyelash that Bianca, with all her gifts and talents, is an amazing creation of God.

Plain Housewife

Since our arrival here in Canada, I have been stuck with the following day-to-day routine:

• Wake up at 6 AM to send hubby off to work then prepare the children's breakfast and school snacks
• Supervise the children at 7 AM as they get ready for school
• Tidy-up the house (dust the furniture, fix the bed, wash the dishes) at 9:00 AM after the children have gone off to school
• Do some video-assisted exercise/calisthenics/belly-dancing and bath time by 10:30 AM
• Read e-mail, surf the net, apply for jobs on-line and blog and bloghop at 11:30 AM
• Cook early dinner by 3:00 PM just in time for hubby's and kids' arrival
• Dinner fellowship with family at 5:00 PM
• Walkathon with husband at 7:00 PM
• Bonding with the children at 9:00 PM
• Read favorite books at 9:30 PM
• Sleep time and bed matters (censored) by 10:30 PM

Pretty boring and unchallenging?

Quite the contrary. Never in my life had I been so happy and contented. Finally, I had all the time in the world to do the things that truly matter - take care of my family, write and read and reconnect with my old self. Why, this is a dream come true!

I don't get paid for what I do. I don't receive bonuses and rewards for my accomplishment. I don't have people to do errands for me. I don't have the prestige of the executive job I once held.

But nothing could be sweeter and more precious than the eager smiles of my children and husband when they come home and find me waiting for them. Nothing could be more rewarding than the realization that my sense of womanhood is complete.

Just when I thought I have come full circle, reality hits me in the face. Tomorrow, I am starting with my new job. Ahhhh... I am back to the corporate world where I only half-belong.

My Evening Prayer

Almighty Father, as the evening dawns and this day draws to a close, I'd like to spend this quiet moment with you, reflecting on the day that you have brought me through and thanking you for all the wonderful ways you've met my needs.

As I rest my body in your loving embrace, I pour out my entire being to you - my joys, my pains, my longings, my hopes, my thoughts, my everything. Nothing is ever hidden from you, and so I ask you now to remove even the smallest impurities from my heart and mind. Fill my heart with joy and peace that transcends all understanding, peace that can only come from you.

If I have hurt someboday today because of my insensitivity and carelessness, I ask that you restore that person's heart and soul and find it in his heart to forgive me. And as you restore him, I pray that I will become more sensitive and patient to avoid unnecessarily hurting other people's feelings.

If I have been arrogant and boastful, taking pride in my own abilities without recognizing you as the ultimate source of who I am, I ask for your forgiveness. I recognize fully well that who and where I am today I owe to you. Apart from you, I am nothing.

Dear God, I close my eyes today knowing fully well that the moment I sleep, I am completely under your mecy; my life is in your hands. Thus, if it is your will that I should still see tomorrow, I ask for a good night's sleep. I ask for a healthy body and nourished spirit so that I can fulfill the mission that you have set for me in this lifetime.

My prayer is not complete without thanking you for the endless graces and the miracles that you continue to shower upon me and my loved ones. I am truly sorry for the times when I take you for granted; for the times when I fail to heed your voice; for the times when I am such a rotten soul. I am glad that despite my imperfections and transgressions, you love me just the same. Truly, your love for me is beyond compare.

In Jesus' holy name.