Gratitude Journal

Saying "Thank you" is one of the very first words we learn in this life.

I have been a recipient of so many blessings that appreciation in words and action is as normal to me as breathing. I love grateful people, and just like in the Holy Bible, I too frown upon ingratitude.

First to be grateful for is my family. My father Bob and my mother Irene made sure we have everything we need. We never want for anything. We had much to share: be it food, shelter, clothing, laughter and tears. In various occasions, we have  been shared abundance by others as well.

I still remember the smell of IVORY Soap from a relative in the US and how we shared a box of Lindt chocolate from a generous uncle. These might be simple gifts but at that time of my life – they mean so much. They brought joy and up til now I am grateful.

I grew up with parents who instilled in us the need to share. Paying tithes and offerings is a way of life rather than an obligation to society and faith. Receiving attached blessings to this form of sharing has been in abundance always.

I am grateful and happy that my husband Rich is such a caring person. We share the need to be generous and kind not just to family members and friends but also to strangers as well.

He buys things in bulk “for the next Balikbayan Box”. He knows that it gives me great joy to share what makes me smile here in Australia to my family in the Philippines. He once bought 50 packets of Timtams and 30 Cadbury bars because they were on sale and they would love them in Surigao. Both of us are not fond of chocolates. We buy to share.

I do not have a lot in savings. As soon as we have put up something aside there are always hiccups along the way. There are always something and someone that needed that safely tucked money. We do not mind. We share because we have, when we don’t, we'll find a way.

While others keep loose change in a bowl or something, I have a weird way of putting money away:

I do not spend my $5.00 bills. This purple Aussie note once handed over to me, will stay in my wallet, until emergencies.

Many years ago, as a TV game show fanatic I saved all my fives hoping to get the last 3 serial numbers shown on TV to win money. I save my fives since then,even when the show has long been shelved. It's a habit now to set my five bucks aside. Much to the amusement of everyone, because I'd rather seek for an atm machine than spend the 5's I have. I am not disciplined in many ways but in this one, I am not too bad :-)

Once when we were low in cash I told Rich I had some stashed somewhere, sure enough I had $265.00 worth of fives in one of my wallets. All folded in half. Ready for an emergency.

Many times after that, the fives proved to be of help not just for me but for others as well. In my previous blog you will see references to a homeless man named Wayne. Purple fives makes him smile gratefully to me. More geniune than most.

Always there are people who approach me on the street for extra change, I am careful who to entertain and talk to. For some they were really in need of help - I take from my stash of emergency fives. Aren’t we all beggars? A line from the scriptures put me on the spot.

I feel blessed in my life that giving back is a given. In many ways I share to show I am very grateful. It may be my time, my talent, my effort or part of my possessions. I share because I am extremely grateful.

 I am very grateful to my eternal family. My Papa, my Mama, My Manos, Blues (his 3 girls) and Ding. They are my life. I always think that when we were orphaned early last year and then Mano passed - there are only the 4 of us. The rest of our relatives have each other - at the end of the day, the four of us are left on our own as the Tandan Family. Aside from him, Kingay's daughters will have their mom, their PapaDio and Mamala. Aside from me, Richard has his brother and mother - whereas Mano Nocky, King, Ding and I only have each other. The thought made me realize how much love I have of each one of us. I am grateful for them with all my heart.

A big part of my gratitude journal written or buried in my heart belongs to Rich, my husband of 11 years. He is a good example of a golden heart. A huge chunk of our married life was beset with illnesses and deaths in my side of the family. He proved to be the anchor of my sinking ship, he still proves to be the pillar of strength of my day to day existence. He is a lifesaver. He is always there.

Thank you my Richard. You make our lives richer in blessings because you are there. When I count my blessings I count you twice, or thrice or more.

Salamat Hon. Makabayos ra ako.

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