Wednesday, December 06, 2006
CROSSROAD
There are those who claim to have fared badly after having encountered certain people with wicked intentions. However, in fairness, only those directly involved would know the real truth behind such interaction. But in the end, the true victor is the soul who fights for what is right and moral; the ultimate judge: not his peers, but God.
I had come to this conclusion after many discussions I had with my brother, Taba, about why bad things happen to good people. At all times, he would always say, “there’s a reason for it.” And supposedly, those bad things are not necessarily due to the universal law of cause and effect; rather, a lesson to strengthen the soul. As the old adage goes, “circumstances don’t make a man; they reveal him.”
Taba (which means chubby in Tagalog) was the sixth in our family of eight kids. Three years after he was born my sister came in to this world; then the next year was my turn. Thus, there was a four-year gap between us. He was to become my confidant and best friend; and I to him. Unfortunately, he passed away about four years ago. I miss him to this day.
One day last week during the late afternoon, the scent of sampaguita permeated the entire living room. At that exact moment, my mother’s assistant (or household help) was walking by on her way to the kitchen. I suspected that she might have just dabbed on a newly-purchased perfume, but she was quick to deny it. She did, however, acknowledge the strong scent of sampaguita that she, too, could smell at that moment. Nonchalantly, she surmised that it was probably my brother Taba who was making his presence felt. I had also intuitively thought of the same, but I went back to what I was doing without saying anything more about the lingering scent.
A couple of minutes later, the phone rang. It was the lawyer for the multinational firm I was having a dispute with. He called to say that his client was now willing to unconditionally resolve my complaint. Immediately after hanging up the phone, I thought my brother’s presence was somehow meant to remind me that things have a way of working out for the better, especially when one upholds what is right and moral. Come to think of it, in the end, it is God who is the ultimate witness to our every thought and action.
posted by Señor Enrique at 7:06 AM
16 Comments:
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said... senor enrique,
there are things we cannot explain or understand......until the last piece of the puzzle falls into the right place. only then we're able to appreciate the whole picture.
dp-
Senorito<- Ako said... I'm quite tight with my brother as well.
I'm not sure of the title korean film that I lent him.. he really liked it. Brother's or Brotherhood (?) the setting was during a wartime period in korea.
I am encouraging him to try and immigrate here in NZ.
On another note:
I'm interested to see what you'll shoot in these places
1. Avalon Zoo
2. Baguio City (flower parade/street photog)
3. Tagaytay
Hindi naman ako demanding ano ?-
said...
eric, 8 in the family? must be quite a challenge. Kami "pito lang" as i always reply when asked how many we were. losing a brother is hard to imagine. I lost a close friend last february during our trip to Palawan last february (it's there in my blog) and life was never the same again. I lost interest in swimming and for some time travelling. Life was never the same again since he's one of those I usually go out with even my island-hopping days (one of the most memorable was the 9 days tour of cebu, bohol, CDO, camiguin, bukidnon, the bicol trip, Coron, and various other unplanned trips. I'm speaking of a common friend of R.O. of ExpectoRANTS)
senorito ako, (ikaw :) you may be referring to Avilon zoo in Moltalban. another one in my wishlist but it's quite far from the city. Maybe I'll ask Ferdz again plus a few of my photo-friends to join. regarding, the flower parade, popularly called Panagbenga, is celebrated during february. I was there in 2001 (i guess) and really lots of people. better book now and get a a place to stay near session road or at least the city center since traffic is so heavy during the parade, better walk-
said...
I'm sure he knows how much you've missed him all these years.
Sometimes, when bad things happen to good people, there are always blessing in disguise behind the whole commotion; that is what I think. True, we cannot help but to look at things in a negative way when things happen but if we divert our perspectives a little bit I guess we can all see a clearer picture.
(:
Is that an ornament, in the photo?-
said...
Ganyan din sa amin. Whenever a scent of sampaguita lingers or a moth or butterfly lost itself in our house. Somebody's there visiting us and making their presence felt.
congratulations on your settlement. Hope things work out from there :D-
Señor Enrique said...
You are correct, DatuPanot.
For years, since I was a youngster, I've grappled with finding the answers / reasons / explanations for such incidences I've experienced to no avail. It wasn't until I got older when things started to reveal themselves and make sense.
But what's even more notable is that I am now getting bolder in sharing such stories despite being misconstrued a loony or weirdo. Those events were real to me and I'm sure there are folks out there who have similar experiences.-
Señor Enrique said...
It would be really nice if and when your brother joins you in New Zealand. Time is precious and short, and would be a blessing to spend with siblings you are close with.
As for the other note:
1) I have started making plans to visit Avilon Zoo if not this year, early next.
2) It's my sister's thing to go to Baguio for the flower festival. If in case she doesn't go on this coming one, I will.
3) I had already spoken to my cousin about making a day trip to Tagaytay one of these weekends.
Lol ... no you are not demanding! You just have a way to make me expand my horizon, which I truly appreciate :)-
Señor Enrique said...
Though he may not be a blood brother, Tito, he was a kindred spirit which made your relationship just as tight as real brothers. I am sorry to hear about his demise; I can imagine the grief you went through. I trust you are all right about it now; nonetheless, you will always miss him.
As for Avilon, yes it's a long trip from the city. Hey, why don't you hire a van with driver and get group together and share the expenses? Count me in.-
Señor Enrique said...
You said it just the way my brother would, Kyels :)
Yes, at times we're so focused on the hurt that we often miss the blessing that it comes with. And as you said, a tiny weeny change of perspective can sometimes make a huge difference!
So wise for such a young person you are, Kyels :) You are a blessing to your younger brothers, I'm sure.-
Señor Enrique said...
Oh, thank you and bless you, Ferdz, for sharing this with me :) It is really a treasure to have others make you feel that you are not alone in having experienced such unexplainable phenomenon!
BTW, your name came up during lunch today that I had with Sidney (My Sari-Sari Store) and Jeff (Dubai Chronicles) and his friend, Orly, from Saudi Arabia. I willl blog about it :)-
abet said...
Eric,
i too have lost a brother six years ago...and i know how you feel though we're not that close i know deep in my heart that somehow he's always around .-
Señor Enrique said...
Hi Basey ... it is really tough losing a sibling, right. As for my brother Taba, I mis him even more during the holiday season. I should also mention that amongst all the siblings, he was the most loved by all.
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sheilamarie said...
Hola Senor, I hope the settlement issue goes well for ou.
I envy you in your stories about your relationship with your late brother and other siblings :) i am sorry to hear that you lost your brother (and best friend), just try to take comfort in the thought that he will always be with you, around you.
Let's just say that my "psychic eye" is not open which is why I have been lucky NOT to experience smelling flowers, etc. matatakutin po ako, hehe. Although I frequently dream of my Mom... is it her way of visiting me? or maybe I'm just thnking of her a lot :)-
Señor Enrique said...
Ako din, SheilaMarie, matatakutin. :)
And yes, I do believe that they do come in our dreams to make us feel that they are around us.
I dream a lot of my brother, especially in the first two years after his death. In fact, in one of the dreams I asked him what he wsa doing still on Earth when he's already dead. He said that he still has one more thing to do down here before he can "earn his wing" and move on.
So, enjoy every second of the dreams you have with your mom in it :)-
said...
Oh, I believe that. I'm sure it was your brother trying to make his presence felt. I'm glad things turned out well for you. BTW, like your brother, I'm also the sixth in the family and my siblings also call me Taba or Tabs. :)
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Señor Enrique said...
He was also as smart as you, Toe :) He was my go to person in times of trouble.
I'll blog more "unusual phenomenon" I had experienced in the past. I've a feeling I'm not alone :)
