Orchids of summer

Summer maybe extremely hot in the Philippines but it's also the  season when many flower varieties are abloom. The flowers that thrive in summer are really a sight to behold. Kalachuchi or Plumeria rubra, bougainvillea, birds of paradise, orchids, and what have you.

I have this thing for orchids for the longest time, thanks in many ways to my departed mother who grew orchids in our garden while I was growing up. When she passed away, my father took on the full responsibility of tending and nurturing the orchids that mother left behind.

I must say the orchids in our garden loved our parents, inasmuch as my parents adored them. It’s a mutual affection and admiration.

Now whenever I see orchids abloom, I cannot help but smile. They so remind me of my parents and their devotion to the orchids of my youth.

Life at seventeen

Why is it that the young ones (read: teenagers) want to grow up fast while the grown men and women, especially in their forties, would like their lives to begin at forty? Funny but true. 

For the young people, it's like life is a race and they want to be on the front seat of things. However, for the forties, life is no longer a race. Life is a pace. There is rhythm and cadence. Such is the beauty of growth and maturity.

At seventeen, my daughter enjoyed her biggest break so far. She is happy, grateful, and blessed. I am, too. She has desired and prayed for an opportunity to come her way, and God granted it.

Ruthie, your life has just begun. 

Serendipity

I was at a doughnut shop yesterday afternoon waiting for some young people. I was early so I decided to observe my environs.

I took photos. I have found photography most enjoyable. Many thanks to an unexpected December project - the best Christmas surprise ever, I was able to buy a camera.

The photos are inspired by serendipity. There is no theme. It’s just spur-of-the-moment inspiration.

It's not a very busy street yet at mid-afternoon.

The road is wide and spacious... for now.

The biggest shopping mall to locate in the city is nearing completion.

Tree-lined Santiago Blvd. Hopefully the trees will not give way to development.  

After about nearly an hour of waiting – like I said, I was there early, the young people arrived and we started the meeting. The serious matter was sprinkled with guffaws and laughter from time to time. It was fun. It is really fun to be with the young. You hear their unspoken thoughts and issues. Of course, since we are all young once, we can relate with what they go through. After all, we all share life phases at different periods of our life.

Get connected with young people. With them, hope springs eternal. 

Food for thought:

Good habits formed at youth make all the difference. – Aristotle

Passion rebuilds the world for the youth. It makes all things alive and significant. – Ralph Waldo Emerson