By LJ Salceda / DZAS

Paano kung walang Christmas tree at ‘di malamig ang simoy ng hangin?
Walang parol, belen at iba pang dekorasyong nakabitin?
Walang mga regalong bubuksan o grocery bags mula sa iyong bossing?
Walang cantata, Christmas carols at mga nangangaroling?

Paano kung wala si Frosty, si Rudolph at si Santa?
Wala ang mga pantas at ang bituing gabay nila?
Walang Christmas cards o package na ipadadala?
Walang hamon, puto bumbong, pati keso de bola?

Paano kung walang paputok at fireworks display?
Wala ka pang bonus at 13th month pay?
Walang Christmas parties at iba pang mga programa?
Malayo sa’yong bayan at wala pang kasama?

Paano kung walang December 25 sa isang taon?
Wala simbang-gabi, Noche Buena sa ating panahon?
Paano kung walang mangyari sa iyong mga hinihiling?
Pasko pa rin ba itong maituturing?

Pag-isipan mo…
Ano nga ba talaga ang Pasko?
O baka naman napalitan na ito ng mga simbolo?

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by Robert Burns

The man, in life wherever plac’d,
Hath happiness in store,
Who walks not in the wicked’s way,
Nor learns their guilty lore!

Nor from the seat of scornful pride
Casts forth his eyes abroad,
But with humility and awe
Still walks before his God.

That man shall flourish like the trees,
Which by the streamlets grow;
The fruitful top is spread on high,
And firm the root below.

But he whose blossom buds in guilt
Shall to the ground be cast,
And, like the rootless stubble, tost
Before the sweeping blast.

For why? that God the good adore,
Hath giv’n them peace and rest,
But hath decreed that wicked men
Shall ne’er be truly blest.

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• JE # 80 – Mabuting Dios
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Here’s a friend’s sincere, honest, heartfelt declaration of heartache. Despite her situation, she’s positive that she’ll getover it, move on and live a new, meaningful life. So here’s the poem by my unnamed friend:

Woke up today and something was up

By my windowsill a flower stood up

White as the snow and green leaves surround

My little white friend greeted with a shout

I looked intently at its wonderful shape

How beautiful this one that my God had made

“how do you go on living?,” I asked my friend

“while I miserably breathe, wishing all will end?”

On my bed last night I cried so deep

Asked God for help, it’s my dire need

It’s been eight months since he went away

Still I struggle, half-dead and astray

I loved this man, God knows how much

But someone gave more, mine’s not enough

Couldn’t forget when he walked away

My heart was crushed, broken til this day

Oh how much sorrow loving can bring?

I’m dying inside, no sense in pretending

My happiness is gone, my life is a mess

I’m broken all over, isn’t this done yet?

Oh Lord hear my cry, can’t do this alone

You give and You take, please help me move on

Oh little white flower I envy your chill

Move on this I need, and someday I will

(photo courtesy of Jeppy Corro)

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