today by the river

a photopoem

today by the river, wild and free

by the river I walk silently,

by the river clouds follow me,

by the river cat tails and trees,

today by the river, old trees dance upon the golden waters,

today by the river, by the river is me.

xx
D

It's August and I'm Reminiscin'

Hello my dear friends welcome to the month of August! I know it's a little too late for that greeting as we're already midway towards September =)
But I'm feeling a bit nostalgic this month... so, this post is dedicated to my 'Abuela', my 'Nanay' or 'Lola'.

Remembering my 'lola' and her bakuran'; when I was a little girl, I used to play alone at my nana's backyard, being the only 'babaeng apo' or female grandchild who lives with her back then. I remembered the yellowbell trees around the yard, the hibiscus flowers I'm so fond of playing with, I used its sap mixed with soap for blowing bubbles, the flowers around like the bougainvillas are condiments to my play house's kitchen or 'bahay-bahayan'.

Walking past this small garden at the center of our community suddenly bring back those childhood memories; the sunny weather, the cool thirst quenching 'sago' drink, my nana forcing me to take siesta, I sneaking out to play and pluck her precious garden flowers, hearing her yell threats at me while doing the naughty deed. What I would give to hear her empty threats again while I play bahay bahayan within the refuge of her 'bakuran'.

Hope you have those good memories to keep you company on a nostalgic day like this...

xx
jacelyndarelam

to a berry bittersweet month

July has been bittersweet to me my sweet friends, it's like the taste of raspberries and strawberries and chocolate all in one cup. And so this weekend to celebrate my seasons in July I decided to make some berry cupcakes for the folks at home.

You know I love berries, especially the red ones, blueberries have a special place in my heart tho... I will make something with blueberries next time ;-)

I don't have an oven and so thank heavens for no bake recipes!

My mom and my aunt loves their cupcake with heavy cream and berry overload... but the girls love the chocolate cake and pudding alone, so I have to be flexible, just like in life.

July is ending soon, and this weekend I am looking back to the emotionally heavy and heartbreaking month while savoring the cupcakes I made with my loves; I try to embrace the bittersweet things that it has brought me before I step into August... so I could be braver, wiser and maybe even sweeter!

Have a berry sweet weekend loves!



-jacelyndarelam

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