My Last & Only Letter to Daddy Ed

Dear Daddy Lolo,

Maybe I'm not as close to you as some others, but when this journey ended for you, I am truly broken-hearted too. Some of the nights I stayed up and thought about the few times we talked, they were quite few, but meaningful and will be treasured for sure. The short time you spent with my two angels are unforgettable and I am sure when they're grown to become a woman like me, they will look for a man much like their father and grandfather, and will remember the joy they felt just holding you hands.

Your passing made me realize once more that it is only at the very end the we truly love a person without any conditions, and so I pray that I may express that love so passionately and enduringly to my loved ones while time is still at my side. Thanks for telling me how you feel and for praising what you see I do good and sharing your thoughts on things that we can improve upon. Thanks for letting me look after your only son, for trusting my kitchen and parenting skills too, I don't think a lot of in-laws would do that.

You will always be the Daddy lolo to my children and you know they will also get broken hearted if they learned that you've passed on. So we will make sure they will feel your love through us, we will ensure to keep your memory alive through imparting what we've learned from you.

We thank God for the time he's given us with you, we may grieve for a long time, but surely time heals all. I know your wish has finally come true; spending eternity with your love, Mommy Lola. For now we will move on and look to the future as you would want for us to.

Until then I guess.

D

PS. You weren't able to finish reading the book "the meaning of mary magdalene" when you visited us, i will for you. And I hope you and mommy Thelma like the flowers.

The Wife of Noble Character

The Wife of Noble Character

10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. 11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. 12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. 13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. 15 She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. 16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. 18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. 19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. 20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. 21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. 22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. 25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. 26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. 31 Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. ♥xo♥ darelam

Marching In...

breathing the air of March.

this is our time, our time. they will look to us and say we shine, and glisten in the sun, our waters run deep and vast, our time has come!

My month...

♥xo♥
Darelam

The Package Project - Love from South Africa

Hello my sweet friends, I am running a fever today but I want to post something for Valentine's day, and so in this post I will be sharing what I received from my Package Project 2011 partner. Last year I took part in the yearly Package Project hosted by CupcakeCouture

I was partnered with a lovely lady from Capetown, South Africa -- Carin Bevan, last December I received this wonderful package from her, filled with lots of items old, sweet and handmade.

There was a handwritten letter from her in the package sharing the background of the items and she include them in the package, I love handwritten notes and letters, so this one will be kept in my letter box...

Carin, has filled the package with different set of items, something for letter writing, filled with handmade stamps and stationeries:

There are vintage items in the package, that she handpicked herself, i love the old kodak films and most especially the embroidered centerpiece, I have been using it to grace our small dining table, it's perfect with a vase of flowers:

I love the South African items too, the small notebook, the card which I am going to frame and display on my craft table:

And the most favorite item in the package was this cute little handmade diana camera brooch Carin made just for me! My mom and Mr. Mister loves this too, I love the colour which is my favorite, reminds me of the sky and the water (my sign)...

I had so much fun opening each and every pack of items, holding my breath as I unfold, carefully revealing the handpicked gifts from Carin.

I know she also loved the items I sent her, even though I sent it really late...
she featured all the items in her blogsite: hand in her pocket

Well my sweet friends, do you have a mini project that encourages you to be creative and send handwritten notes? Send handmade love and just simply reach out to someone and get to know them despite the miles? If you do, continue doing that, for it releases a kind of joy that feeds the spirit with positivity and if you dont have yet, why not start sending hand notes to the nearest person or that special friend, or maybe join this year's Package Project?

Happy Exchange of Love this Valentine's day!

♥xo♥

Darelam

Reflections: Heed The Call

Everyone has a calling.

whether to be a mother, an artist, a preacher, a healer, a fine gardener, a designer, a writer, a photographer, a messenger, a servant, a leader or simply a friend or a lover... whatever your calling is, how different it may be from what you do now, find the time to heed that call... whether now or later for it releases true joy to the spirit and enables peace to settle in the heart and in the mind.

as the words of St. Paul to the Ephesians -- "May you live a life worthy of your calling"

and may God bless your calling whatever it maybe.

♥xo♥

{photo: trying to find the source...}

Wickedly Inlove

Nobody mourns the Wicked!

Or so we thought… until we get to know the story of the witches of Oz!

Hello my sweet readers, I have been containing this excitement for days now, and I have been contemplating how to best share with you the joy and "goosey bumpsy" feeling after watching a musical after so many years.

Just a day before the Lunar New Year, Mr. Mister and I had the privilege of watching the award winning and much talked about musical of the year – Wicked! Thanks to the amazing people who pushed for a flat rate for partner offers and we were able to book seats just 4 rows from the stage and orchestra. I was able to see up close the brilliant performers and the magnificent set of the show at the Marina Bay Sands – Grand Theater.

It’s been years since I last stepped into a theater… all those dormant years of longing to see performers, touch garments of awesome costumes and hear the footsteps of the production crew busy preparing at the backstage before a show begins, or visit a green room where performers rest and await their turns at the stage.

You might wonder why I long to do such things? A little personal history, I would like to share with you is that I used to dance ballet at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), with the Ballet Philippines group… yeap, you are reading it right! Haha, I used to dance and perform… though I was a bit of a shy girl; I did enjoy all those ballet years. I feel I am one with the spirit of the arts when I am performing, it's such an amazing joy. The last dance I performed with talented dancers was the Nutcracker at the Tanghalan (Nicanor Abelardo), Christmas of ’94.

I remembered, after each ballet class, we used to sneak at the backstage of each of the halls and watch play rehearsals, with costumes and make up being tried and lines being sung or spoken, my heart and soul was being enriched as I watch and long to be part of those plays, even if only as a seamstress or assistant painter or carpenter... that would be swell! Maybe I will try and visit the CCP when I am back in Manila some time this year, and watch a local play.

The night of the performance of Wicked, my heart was racing with anticipation… I took slow steps towards the hall of our seats, savoring my reunion with the theater. After a few minutes of waiting, I held on to Mr. Mister’s hand, the light dims, drum rolls slowly as that of waves coming back to shore, the conductor raises his hand and with his baton commands to struck the first note.

Nobody mourns the wicked! They sang and I watched without blinking, after so many years of longing, holding my breath...

As the 1st act begins.

♥xo♥
Darelam