Gates to 2011

My January is full of everything. It is filled with happiness, love, sadness, fear and surprises. Good beginning of the year. January - came from Janus - god of Roman mythology -god of gates, doors, doorways, beginnings, endings and time. Most often he is depicted as having two heads, facing opposite directions; one head looks back at the last year while the other looks forward to the new, simultaneously into the future and the past.

January 2011 for me posed a mixture of emotions. January left a happy memory as started by the New Year's celebration surrounded by my whole family. This was our first New Year celebration together in ...*counting* ...31 years! The last time we had Christmas together was, I think, when I was in my 5th Grade. Then my dad had to leave and work overseas. I now have a son, in-laws, nephews and nieces. And I realized, how swiftly time had flown.

January also left a traumatic experience. Two of my cars got stolen in two consecutive weeks, Sexy, my black Honda CRV on the 4th and Hercules, my maroon Nissan Patrol on the 13th. I consider that I am still lucky because I was in the Philippines, otherwise I was the one driving those cars on both incidents. My staff who drove my cars had had an operation after the first incident. Hercules was recovered that same afternoon - LUCKY!

4th of January was a solemn experience. I visited the relic of Don Bosco at Don Bosco Seminary in Canlubang. That night, I prayed to God thru Don Bosco to help me with the problems I will be encountering this year. I specifically also asked for help for the recovery of my then stolen car.

The pain of separation also engulfed me in January. First was my sister, Leng and her family, left for US, then my brother, Aldrin, his family and I had to go back to PNG, too. With heavy heart, I had to leave my son, my parents and siblings, and I had to leave a new friend.

I always try to find good things in all the occasions I am into. Though my birthday was a very simple one this year, I was very happy because I celebrated it with few friends. Those few that I really wished to celebrate it with.

January was also a surprise filled month. I received unexpected gifts. I won the first prize - a motor bike from a Church's raffle. I received a nice birthday cake gift from my friend from Canada thru their staff in PNG. I received a call from the police headquarters, my black CRV's been found. Surprisingly, it's still intact, in good condition except the tint was heavily darkened. I am still very lucky, most stolen cars after weeks are left un-found or if found are already dismantled to sell off the parts. Only two items were missing - the registration plates and the spare tyre's cover.

January 2011 I received from my friend, Imelda, a gift. It is the picture of Jesus of Divine Mercy. I was not going to bring it with me but I suddenly found a space for it. I placed it at my breakfast area, facing the entrance door. Every morning I see it, I say the prayer written on it. "...Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, Have Mercy on us and the whole world. Jesus, King of Mercy, I trust in You".

January has opened the gates to my new year and somehow I have the idea about how it's going to be like. My 2011 is going to be full of life and happiness, full of love, full of things to be worried about, but will be filled with great things and surprises. And I will welcome it with full of gratitude and full of trust in God. My Lord and my God, you are my God, you are my only Good. Jesus, King of Mercy, I trust in you.