Today is Valentine's Day and since hubby and I won't be able to spend it together, I'll venture out of the obvious romanticism associated with this day and instead focus on the other meaning of Valentine's for me and my family.
Here is a 5-year old blog entry on my old blog which paid tribute to my sister on her birthday. So on her Valentine birthday today, I re-publish it to let her know that I continue to carry her heart with me...I carry it in my heart, always.
"Each person has his/her own story to tell." This is what I've come to realize and appreciate during our joint breakfast meetings at BCBP. At the end of two full weeks, I revel in the fact that I will get spiritual and emotional renewal by listening to the life stories of our featured sharers. Each individual/couple has their own journeys to share, crosses and burdens to reveal, and inspirational messages to impart. By sharing a part of themselves, I get humbled by the enormous pains, sacrifices and burdens they talk about that have shaped their lives. I come to realize that my own little struggles are nothing compared to theirs and I become thankful for all the blessings I have in my life.
And it was such a revelation to me when Sis. Ched made her life sharing today...she is one of the ladies who made such an impression on me the first time I met her. Definitely an extrovert, she's a cheerful and chatty person much like my own Mom (this is the trait I definitely inherited from her). Sis. Ched is the type of person who lights up the room upon her entrance. I also remember how she helped me implore the power of the Holy Spirit for the gift of tongues during our baptism last July 3.
For someone so bubbly and lighthearted, I didn't quite expect to hear the enormity of the hardships she had to endure most of her life. I know that she is living proof of God's grace and goodness as she was able to endure and overcome all trials and is now living a life of service to the Lord and the community. I learned that by giving your full trust to the Lord and surrendering your life to Him, He guarantees life everlasting with Him in heaven. Sis. Ched's sharing touched me in a very powerful way, at times driving me to tears and I know that it was God himself who was touching my life through her words.
When I saw little CeeJae walking along the hallway of BFCS, I couldn't resist snapping a photo. I instantly remembered taking a similar shot of Cailie 2 years ago.
In this photo, Caitlin was 1 year and 8 months old while CeeJae is 1 year and 1 month here. It's just cool to see how much Cailie has grown and that she's gone past being Kuya Jarred's sidekick in school. This summer gave her such a wonderful learning experience. I'm sure that in no time, CeeJae would follow in her Atchie's footsteps.
The "bunso" (youngest) of the family is the spitting image of her Kuya (older brother). At 10 months old, CeeJae is beginning to sway (she's cruisin' crazy now) and sweet talk (her communication skills are amazing) her way into everyone's hearts. On top of the list would be Kuya Jarred. He can't seem to resist her toothy smile and mesmerizing eyes. Whenever Kuya comes home from school and emerges from outside, CeeJae springs up from inside her playpen to greet him. She always has a ready grin or laugh for him. On several occasions I've noticed that they've developed a special kind of communication. Whatever sounds CeeJae would make, it seems that Kuya Jarred could easily understand her and would know exactly what she meant. Even with Atchie Cailie, Jarred's the same...he would readily translate whatever Cailie said that seemed incoherent to us and he would be right every time. The role of firstborn might be a tough one for Kuya but we know that he is right for that position. His love for both of his sisters is proof of that.
My sister was born on Valentine's day of 1975. Being born on love day, she was aptly christened CHRISTINE MARIE VALENTINE. She doesn't know this but I've always envied her for having such a long and unique name. I felt a little left out among us three since she and my brother both had 3 names each and I guess this is the reason why I ended up giving all of my children two names. Today, as the world celebrates Valentine's Day, allow me to pay homage to my one and only sister on her 35th Valentine birthday...
To my dearest Shobe,
First of all, let me greet you a very happy 35th birthday (forgive me for broadcasting your age...hehehe)! I am sure you will be celebrating your special day with a bang...hmmm...I wonder what Ray and Trei will be up to today. One thing for sure though, they'll give you a day to remember.
VALENTINE...As I mentioned in the caption above, I've always envied you for having such a long and unique name...yes, dear, even up to now. I know that growing up you didn't really like having that name and sometimes resented whenever friends jokingly call you "Val" or "Valentina". Being born on Hearts Day and carrying the name must have been a tall order for you. You know what? You've done St. Valentine proud (not to mention all of us in the family)! Let me tell you that you are living your life worthy of your name. A quick search on name meanings turned out your full name to mean "Christ's bearer of love in the bitter sea". You have showered all of us around you with so much love and affection. In times of bitterness, anger or sadness, all you had to do was bring out that beautiful smile and it never fails to lift us up. Your infectious laughter and cheerful ways make life easier despite all the problems and difficulties.
We weren't very close growing up but I will never forget that one year prior to your migration to Canada. It was the year we made up for all the time we treated each other like strangers. If you'll recall that was one of the most difficult times in my life. You saved me from being taken over by grief and sorrow. You were the jester who could bring smiles even if only to my eyes. You became the big sister, teaching me how to enjoy life even if at times it involved being naughty. You made me see the rainbow after the rain. So you see, you became God's bearer of love during my time in the bitter sea. Those 365 days will be forever etched in my heart for they are very special days of friendship and sisterhood.
When you left the country in 1998, I felt a part of me was taken away. It was painful to miss you every single day. The only thing that kept me sane was knowing that the reason you left was to follow your heart. It was four years later when we saw each other again. This time, we were both married ladies already. I had recently given birth to my firstborn and I knew you had to be his godmother. You showered us with your love, both in deed and in kind. Your generous heart is always at work in our lives. I was one proud Ate when you gave birth to Tristan a year later. I knew then that you'll be one great Mom to him. Whenever I see and hear Tristan online, I know that you and Ray are doing an awesome job raising him. It is not easy raising a family there and maintaining a career at the same time. I salute you for doing very well in both.
It's been 7 years now since we've last seen each other and though I thank God for Facebook and Skype, it's still not the same as being with you face-to-face and chatting away like we used to. I just pray that we can get together soon and for our families to finally meet each other.
I didn't know what to give you for your birthday. I wanted to give you something special, something you'd remember...so I wrote.
Happy, happy birthday Sis! Thank you for your love all these years. I love you and I miss you very much!
"Each person has his/her own story to tell." This is what I've come to realize and appreciate during our joint breakfast meetings at BCBP. At the end of two full weeks, I revel in the fact that I will get spiritual and emotional renewal by listening to the life stories of our featured sharers. Each individual/couple has their own journeys to share, crosses and burdens to reveal, and inspirational messages to impart. By sharing a part of themselves, I get humbled by the enormous pains, sacrifices and burdens they talk about that have shaped their lives. I come to realize that my own little struggles are nothing compared to theirs and I become thankful for all the blessings I have in my life. 
The "bunso" (youngest) of the family is the spitting image of her Kuya (older brother). At 10 months old, CeeJae is beginning to sway (she's cruisin' crazy now) and sweet talk (her communication skills are amazing) her way into everyone's hearts. On top of the list would be Kuya Jarred. He can't seem to resist her toothy smile and mesmerizing eyes. Whenever Kuya comes home from school and emerges from outside, CeeJae springs up from inside her playpen to greet him. She always has a ready grin or laugh for him. On several occasions I've noticed that they've developed a special kind of communication. Whatever sounds CeeJae would make, it seems that Kuya Jarred could easily understand her and would know exactly what she meant. Even with Atchie Cailie, Jarred's the same...he would readily translate whatever Cailie said that seemed incoherent to us and he would be right every time. The role of firstborn might be a tough one for Kuya but we know that he is right for that position. His love for both of his sisters is proof of that.
