Dear Ruth Carmela Zamielle 6

Dear Ruth Carmela Zamielle,

How time flies.

I know you have heard this so many times before but I can't help but wonder how fast time really flies.  It seemed like it was only yesterday when you turned one year old and then suddenly you're now six. It was only yesterday when you learned to talk and walk but now you already know how to use the Facebook. Wasn't it just the other year when you began to read like a pro? Now, I can't fool you anymore because you can read every word I show you. I still remember how we used to hold your two hands to teach you how to walk but now you rarely need my assistance anymore.

Anak, I am glad you are growing up fast..faster than I have imagined. I am truly happy that your brain developed earlier than we have expected yet I am also sad, thinking that sooner or later, you will not be needing us anymore. You are quickly adapting to this world, learning a lot of things everyday. You never fail to surprise me with your witty retorts. You always amaze me with the maturity you are showing- something we didn't have when we were your age.

I must admit I was excited to give you your own room, your own bed, your own sanctuary. I was excited when you asked to have a space you can call your own. But on the night you finally slept on your own bed, I was not able to sleep. What if you fell? What if you get hurt? What if...? I wasn't able to sleep well fighting the urge to check on you, to see if you're okay. Thank God. You slept soundly and didn't seem to miss us at all. You woke up all smiles having found your own niche.

Your mom and I have been telling each other that it was a mistake to give you your own room this early. I'm sure she misses your hugs at night. I'm sure she misses how you twist and turn beside her and use her tummy as your pillow. I miss you too. I miss how you unintentionally kick my face or rest your legs on my tummy; and how I carefully move about so as not to wake you up. I miss how you whimper whenever your sleep is disturbed by the slightest sound. I miss tickling your feet and kissing your face just to wake you up in the morning. And I miss how you play with my ears or nose whenever you wake up ahead of me.

Did you know that I look forward to waking up and waiting for you to hug me?  I hope we will never forget that routine even though you're already grown up. I wish we will always walk hand in hand especially when I'm already too old to walk straight. I wish you would never leave our side but I know sooner or later you would want to pursue your own destiny. I know that nobody can stop you from walking your own path in the future but I hope you will always be ready to listen to us. Our hands will always be ready to pull you up when you fall down and even carry you with my wobbly legs when you're too tired to walk...just like how I used to carry you on my shoulders.

Sometimes your mom and I cant help but tell ourselves how we wish you will not grow up so soon. We know that is silly but you can't really blame us for feeling that way. We will probably dread the day when you will have to bid us goodbye to live in a boarding school (not abroad I hope). It would probably be the saddest day of our lives but we will have to embrace it. As your parents, we will do our best to support you in your future endeavors, to give you the best education there is, to ensure you will have a good life and a bright future. 

Anak, on your 6th Birthday, may you always be grateful and thankful for all the blessings you have received from the Lord. May you never forget to give back to others, especially those who are in dire conditions. Always be humble and learn to look back from where you came from. Be respectful all the time. Be grateful and generous to people around you especially to your nannies and kuyas. Be good to them and they will be good to you. Show great love and affection to your Mom more than anybody else. She sacrificed a lot for you. She deserves all the love you can give. Love your Grandparents because they love you more than you'll ever know. Love your family because they are the most precious thing in the universe. Remember, it was you who said that the most precious thing in our home is not the furniture but FAMILY.

Lastly, always remember that we love you very much. Happy 6th Birthday, Ruthie!

Love,

Daddy 

Prayer for My Wife

26 June 2017

Dearest Love,

Let me share to you this prayer that I have written for the both of us.

“Lord, Our Heavenly Father, I thank you for another wonderful day that you have given to me. Thank you for giving me another day to wake up beside my beautiful wife. Thank you, Father, for keeping us together during the last seven years and for helping us survive all challenges that came our way. Thank you, Lord, for keeping us safe and secure every single day.

Father, I am sorry for my shortcomings to my wife, for the times that I was not beside her to share her joy, and for the moments I was not around to comfort her when she is sad. I am deeply sorry for sometimes being critical of her actions; for not listening when she needed someone to talk to; and for ignoring her when she needed company. I am sorry for the many times I was an unreasonable and uncompromising husband. I am sorry, Father, for hurting her feelings; for being insensitive of her needs; and for not always appreciating her sacrifices.

Thank you, Lord, for giving me a wife, partner and friend in her. Thank you for giving her a great deal of strength to build our family together; for giving her patience to deal with my stubborn attitude and; for giving her courage to raise our daughter Ruth during my absence. I couldn’t take you enough, God, for giving me my Wonderwoman, my Superwoman, my own heroine.

Grant her, Oh Lord, the courage to face all problems that may come along her way. Please always keep your watchful eyes over her and protect her from all harm wherever she goes. Let your Holy Spirit guide her in every decision she makes. Let your wisdom prevail over her mind at all times. May her hands be always filled with your blessings so that she may be able to help more needy people around her. May her tongue always utter words of love; and may her lips be always ready to smile. May her heart be always filled with faith, hope and love.

In all her endeavors, please keep me beside her. Please keep me strong and healthy so that I may be able to serve her for the rest of my life. Lord, I pray that you keep our marriage as enduring as the mountains, our love as deep as the ocean, our devotion to each other as true as your words.

In your Mighty Name, I pray. Amen.”

Happy 7^th Anniversary, My LOVE! I Love You!