Preparing For A Birthday

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My daughter will be celebrating her 2nd birthday this coming Tuesday and for this year, we opted for a simple celebration at home. We have invited family and relatives and very close friends to come because we wanted it to be an intimate celebration of my daughter's 2nd birthday. My daughter is growing fast and for a father, it is a dreaded moment to see your only daughter grow up. But inasmuch as we would want to give our children their roots, it is our responsibility as parents to give them their own wings as well. They must find their own wings, expand them to their limits, and test them against the merciless winds of the real world. We have this illusion as parents that our kids were made for us to protect them from the brutal realities of life. The thing is, we do not own them. Yes, we must keep them safe, but sooner or later, our kids will step on the threshold of their own destinies, chosen by themselves. All we need to do therefore is just to watch them grow before our eyes, teach them a thing or to, then show them the door to opportunities that will enrich them as human beings. In other words, our main job is to love them, nothing more and nothing less.

I may not be a perfect father but I would give my life for my kids. My kids saved me from the ditch of failures. They gave me hope. They are my second chances. They are God-given opportunities. Now, I can re-train myself in the aspect of love. Now I understand my own parents.

My children are a blessing. They have given me some sense of direction and purpose. Now, everything that I do becomes more meaningful than usual. It is a joyful burden to work and earn a living for them.

This Tuesday, I will be marking yet another milestone in the life of my kids, especially my daughter. It will be a simple gathering really. My wife is making the salads. My mother-in-law is baking the cakes. I am cooking the spaghetti. This afternoon, we just bought the balloons and other party accessories.

This week will be a "semi-hectic" week, if there ever is a word. I will be attending the second module for the Rationalization Plan for the Province-wide Investment Plan for Health. On Sunday evening, I will be facilitating the USLS-IS pre-grad retreat, for the tenth time. On Monday, I will be rushing to Kabankalan City to attend our regular Technical Working Group Meeting for the South Negros Interlocal health Zone.

For now, my only wish is to see the end of this week.





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