Excited And Thankful

And so I did ten parts of 'Because I Am Nearing Fifty', instead of the planned one set of fifty random things from the brain of an extremely confusing, fifty-year-old, overweight woman. I remained true to my four-word tagline on my Twitter account: 'I say too much'. That would be now more than a hundred random thoughts, and I tell you, there are more where those came from.

On the 18th, it is going to be my 'second twenty-fifth' birthday, as my friend Herman wrote in his wishes for me. I will insist, indulge me please, that you read this post because it matters to me so. 

I say thank you, my God, for the privilege you have bestowed upon me by bringing me into this world, to a family of amazing people. 

Thank you to my departed Papa and Mama, who both raised me all too well, as if preparing me for my interesting journey;

To my late Lolo Panieng, who inspire me every single day with his spirit; 

To my Uncle Paul who showed me what kindness, generosity and compassion can bring;

To my husband and my children, Bong, Ana and Aidan, for giving me numerous 'second chances', I stopped counting. Know this: I will live the rest of my days to honor your unconditional love in my own little ways; 

To my sisters and my brother, Beks, Kring and Allan, and their families, for shaping my heart the way it is now;

To Maan, my partner, my confidante, my friend in its deepest sense, for embracing me into your life. You are one of the few people I cannot live without. You show me my worth day to day and no one else has made me feel that I am understood the way you do. If I could marry you, I would. 

To my friends, Mary Ann and Ayo, who both reached out to help me once a long time ago and started relationships which now span decades; Evalou, whose greatest regret perhaps is meeting me; for all your patience and kindness of heart;

To Leonelle, who holds my hand bravely everyday, does not let go, and shows no sign of letting go, salamat. Wala kang katulad; 

To  my colleagues in government service, for the support and encouragement, and yes, for your betrayal, too. The lessons learned from all these keep my feet on the ground and forge on in this most ungrateful yet fulfilling job; 

To those who are part of my life, whose names are etched in my heart, those who lifted me in my darkest days as well as those who hit me in the face and kicked me in the stomach even while I have yet to get air in my lungs: you know who you are, agyamanak apo. Maikkaanak kuma ni Apo Dyos ti gundaway nga makapagsubalit kadakayo. Who I am is the fruit of your love and hatred, so thank you. 

It has been a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful fifty years with all of you. Now, let's do this again for another fifty, shall we?