RSS

Teacher Elay


Children have an innate passion for stories; they are always eager to explore new worlds and reach the limit of their imagination. You can see their eyes outgrow their face as the story unfolds a new realm page by page, picture by picture, delighted by the adventures simple words bring.

I am a Sunday school teacher and story telling is what I always do. Can you imagine yourself standing in front of children for hours holding a book that you already perused hundreds of times, entertaining limitless and out of this world questions, translating complicated terms and enduring the outrageous noise?

But do you know what makes me pursue this ministry and somehow keep on accepting responsibilities? It's because if in my eyes I see twerpy, smelly little pests, in their eyes they see a dad, a teacher, a big brother, and a hero. All my heartaches and problems would fade for a moment once I see smiles painted on their faces.

To chase them around the church and get them to their seats, to distribute their snacks and play hilarious games, to sit with them and hear all their funny thoughts about life, education and their families are the precious moments I surely savor.

I love kids and I love being their "teacher Elay" I hope sooner or later I will be able to teach again.

God Bless.

P.S.
I remember one time I asked the kids to draw something that would express themselves and I was so surprised and at the same time bothered to see the picture one of my 5 year old kids drew. It was a BURNING HOUSE! That's something eh?

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

New Faces.

So many people, so many words and so many promises.

Lately I was in the middle of nowhere full of hatred and sadness. I was abandoned like a kitten on a dark and cold alley by those who I truly value. I was deserted in an unfamiliar and unwanted place by my dearest companions, sitting in the darkest and wettest corner of an alley as rain pours upon my head.

I struggled for survival. Every night I'd lie awake, my eyes overflowing with tears as I hear the chant of my sorrowful echo; "I am strong" Crying even more as my mind attempts to destroy dreadful thoughts, images of those blissful memories that are hard to forget.

If only they know how miserable I've become. If only they know that because of them I became afraid to love, afraid to trust not only me but everyone around me. That I became afraid to trust and cautious to make friends

Now my wounds are starting to mend. The pictures are slowly being washed away from my memory making way for new images in my album. Cries are turning to smiles as the rain cleanses the dirt preparing me for a new chapter in my life.

Now I find myself surrounded by so many people. People with new faces and new personalities.

"Nandito lng ako pag may problema ka"
"Ako, kami, makikinig kami sa'yo"
"Andito naman kami eh"

So many voices, so many words and so many promises. I could still remember the same people who said those words and are now out of my life. I am still afraid to trust in fact, I'm afraid to even try. I don't know if the lips that uttered these words are sincere or just trying to make me feel better. Will they make my dull life colorful? Will they stay?

*sighs

I'm left with so many questions



  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

I hate you.


There was no sound in the room.
The blinding darkness spilled all over the scene.
The chilly winds were absent, gone with all the giggles and smiles.

He sat in the corner, crying
In his hand was a picture of his friend
A pretty young girl; long smooth hair, joyful smile
braced teeth, a bit chubby but cute,














Sweat rolls down his forehead every time the clock ticks
And as every minute pass, every blissful memory that appears
his grip of the picture tightens.

His clutches were on the image
His nails were clawing and scratching the surface
ripping all the colors out of the picture
There were sweat, tears and blood
And again, as every moment pass, the tighter his grip becomes


He remained sitting
hugging his knees with his arms
cradling himself to sleep
to shut his eyes that are out of tears
He wanted to rest
But he couldn't

He stares at the picture with unfathomable anger
He's betrayed
He's abandoned
He felt manipulated
He felt forsaken

If only words could define his anger
If only someone would sit with him and listen
If only his friend would explain herself
If...




  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

a letter
















Your face is still fresh in my memory
Like the first glimpse of a blooming flower in the beginning of spring
Your voice is still remembered by my ears
So lovely, just like the captivating psalms of David; alive and everlasting

Every minute of everyday I think of you
From dusk to dawn, sunrise till sunset
Yours is the magnificent voice that wakes my spirit up
the same voice, a soothing lullaby that cradles me to bed

Speak to me again oh my guiding star
Please do not conceal yourself from the clouds
See how I endure this unbearable crucible without you
Witness the overflowing tears rolling down my cheeks
falling on our picture
as if gently washing all our years and memories

My confidante, I never thought I'd lose you
Your eyes utter goodbyes and your actions speak rejection
What have I done for you to treat me this way?
Speak to me before it's too late
Are you still a friend or are you now a foe?

I wish I could hold you in my arms
As I do in my dreams
But while dreams fade away
My heart yearns for you.

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

Down the memory lane

"How could I let them go? How long should I hold on? They're my life, they're everything to me, I value them so much!"


It was a dream. I was wandering around the walls of a city walking on the concrete road bare feet and in pajamas. It was odd that there was nobody living in there, no sound of human interactions just the chilly winds pushing and pulling the sturdy trees. I hugged myself and struggled for warmth for the atmosphere grew awfully cold. There were no lights except for rusty old lamp posts along the alley. The panorama was engulfed in thick gray-dull and dead. The blue skies were gray and dark as if brewing a storm. The green grass and the rainbow painted flowers were as dark as the skies as if these living things were robbed of all the bright, joyful shades. There were buildings but no residents. there were houses but no homes.


I went pass a dark and narrow alley called 'memory lane' and below its sign says: 'he who's brave enough to face truth shall find answers'.
Without second thoughts I decided to go in. The darkness of the alley as it narrows was like a bottomless abyss, preventing any light to escape its dreadful clutches. As I continued walking, I began to have an eerie feeling that the walls were somehow closing in on me. Desperate to find what's on the end and terrified by an eerie feeling, I ran in panic, gasping for air, struggling to keep my balance as I ran on the wet and slippery road.

A few moments later I paused for air. It seemed that the road was infinite and that I'm trapped in a middle of nowhere. That even if I keep on running, the road will somehow extend its length. I sat and cried. A few moments passed and the brick walls started to flash images.

Every time a person would ask me if I'm okay, I'd always say YES. Yes was always my answer to those people who find interest in taking a peek in my heart, that if I say that three letter word, they'd stop and leave me alone. When I saw the images of my friends that I lost I was crushed and devastated beyond words. I sat there wrapping my knees with my arms as my eyes failed to seize the tears from falling. My eyes were overflowing with tears and in every tear were words, letters expressing pain that as it hit the ground it would emit a sorrowful echo. If a person could think of word far more than crushed, devastated, ruined and destroyed, that would be me.

It came to me that pride somehow cloaked the true condition of my soul. As the memories unveil I saw the precious pieces of my heart drowning in a bucket of unbearable sorrow that it screamed for someone to pick it up and heal it. There were some pieces missing, pieces that were taken by those who left him alone, those who entered his door and swiftly left through his window. I cried and cried and cried.

My Almighty Dad came out of nowhere. He picked the pieces of my heart with his nail scarred hands, the same hands that wiped out my tears and cupped my cheeks. He stood up in front of me, carried me then hugged me. He asked me to let them go, to let all the bitterness and sorrow flow down the drain.

"How could I let them go? How long should I hold on? They're my life, they're everything to me, I value them so much!" I replied.

"I value my son too yet I gave Him up for your sake remember?" He said.

I was left without words to say only tears. A couple of silent minutes passed then I whispered: "They left with the pieces of my heart, how can I be whole again?"

He hugged me for the second time, only this hug was tighter and more intimate. His lips were right next to my ear and whispered: "Then let me fill the empty pieces with my love... I will be here when you feel like being quiet or when you need to speak your mind. When you need a shoulder to cry on, when you need a friend or a buddy, I will be here."

I looked back on the walls flashing the images of my friends. It was painful for me to let them go... really painful. I took a stone and smash it against the wall, seconds later the images fade. As the pictures vanished so did my bitterness. My Dad hugged me again, held my hands and left.

I know it was painful to let them go and living each day with that fact is even more painful yet I know God will never make me feel alone... No... NEVER.

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

More than just dance.



This video is a dance number of a boy who lost his leg and a girl who lost her arm. They won first place in the annual dance competition CCTV9 international, Beijing. Regardless of their disabilities they continued to pursue their passion for dancing. May you find inspiration in their powerful piece.

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

In the playground

It's when you feel alone and that nobody cares if you exist.



The sweet voices of the children I can hear, It was like an enormous swarm of bees heard and seen covering the entire place. The golden brown leaves falling from the trees, guided by the warm colors of the sun's spectrum somehow reminded me of how splendid my life was.

I sat beneath the grandiose oak tree where I once carved my dreams and happiness. The tree that witnessed every blissful moment I had, the sturdy monument that served as the library for my whole history now stands behind me singing songs I used to sing.

As I sit there I couldn't help but stare and watch those four foot tall angels giggling and running ,having fun to their heart's content. They were cracking and throwing jokes at each other, laughing like there's no tomorrow. I too have silly jokes and magical stories to tell, but how would I enjoy them when there's no one who'd sit and listen to me. I just sat there with a stick drawing faces on the dirt.


The innocent youngsters had roleplaying games. There were kings, queens, princes, princesses and warriors. The climbed the monkey bars and made a fortress, rode the seasaw and had unicorns. Me? I remained hushed in my seat kicking the leaves that piled up. I wasn't invited to their magical game but I can sure tell it's fun! Did you know that I have fascinating games too? Oh well, what would I do with these games when there's no one to play them with.

I stood up and went to sit by the swings to have my snack. I wanted to cry because no one would sit with me. There were many people around yet I don't know why somehow I felt lonely. I guess I'm just starting to miss the ones who used to played games with me.

As I sit alone waiting and praying for my playmates, I learned something: "It's not the number of people around you that determines your loneliness, it's your relationship to them."

What would you do with two hundred fifty strangers when all you need is four people?

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...