SLEEP ON IT: MASUCENCO ‘Oryt! Oritte! for Alright!’

Siren filled the air with magic!
Men in greasy hands and in corporate garb…
Walked briskly out where busy hours of eight or more
Spelled SUGAR for the world and all!

On the spot once stood three chimneys
Dark and grey smoke signalled , Oh!
Yes!”
As the siren blared for new company
While the oryt, orette, alright awaited!
The colossal sugar mill sheltered thousands…
Endowed with limitless light and water supplies…
Where play on grounds, medicine and more run free…
Dental and medical heath were looked into
Where high school kids of workers ride on her buses
Where round the clock safety were secured by on duty guards
Where one reached home unharmed even on midnight walks
Where church bells echoed friendship
As one nodded a hello to another
For one knew one within her walls!
ORYT, ORITTE, ALRIGHT in its finale
web memories…

While thousands and more paint
stories of lives well-lived!
SALUD MA-AO SUGAR CENTRAL!
ORYT! ORETTE! ALRIGHT!

– – –

There ia a cure for everything! In a situation that is a bit cramped with lots of no, no, no, and nos, finding a panacea to make it better is a must!

In my course of living and when I was not bugged yet with these eyesight blockages of glaucoma and of cataract on both my eyes, when I was feeling down and my soul is cringed for joy to set in, the panacea I embraced was to ride on a jeepney towards the downtown area and found solace in talking to salesladies I befriended or to just had a tete-a-tete with a mother of my former student who was a sidewalk vendor. Positioned there on the steps of an alley where she used to display her wares was heaven enough that shunned the negativisms which pierced my being on that instance. Surely, we had a good laugh on matters either trivial or ordinary when humor were sprinkled to lighten our frame of minds.

Another cure-all aside from window shopping was to board another route towards the mall and to sit on a cafe where a sister of my former student used to work. To observe passersby or even to cool myself with a scoop of a sugar free gelato boosted my morale and awakened once more the drive to face the challenges which were and are unlimited!

Still another was to award myself with fancy trinkets and to collect them despite the passing of the allure after a few mirror check. Well, no amount of presents I seemed to fancy not because they were cheap could not and did not alleviate the downs which haunted me in all directions! Nevertheless, when I reopened the case where these simple whatnots were stored, moments of glee were perked up repeatedly! Hahahahaha!

One of the best elixirs was to go over the closet and to gather things which were not often used or those that were outgrown to be shared to those who needed or who wanted them. Minimal possessions though they may be, such as bags, clothes, shoes, or those fancy gems when shared gave me another breather to move forward. Paid with a hug or just a smile or a word of gratitude spoke bundles of merit to lift me up one more time! Oh! Yes! It is truly better to give that to receive!

To this day, the practice is best doubled especially when the universe seems to touch our inner core in order to share and to spare!

For solemn nerve and spirit calming, a visit to the prayer room beside The San Sebastian Cathedral gave a solace too tranquil to imagine. Closer to The Supreme Being was an answer that led me to a more peaceful way of facing the odds head on! There were moments before I could catch a ride to my workplace or just to unwind, a short visit at the church nearby poured a spritual shine to last a day’s battle with the ticking of the time.

Today, tackling the universe is far different, what with this eyesight plus the grief of losing both my sons! Reading a book is impossible! The cellular phone’s font in huge status help me deal with the gadget, haha!

Checking the social media turns time faster as I use it as my frigate to see people and the world at large and more importantly link with our only daughter, our daughter- in- lw, our five grandkids, my siblings, friends and relatives. The innumerable schoolroom occupants with my godkids also make my days better when they take timeout from their busy schedules to check on their old marm. Three most endearing mentors from my high school and college days never fail to reconnect day in and out with chuckles to reminisce the good old days and to place the foot forward with enthusiam.

Painting and writing occupy my time when the eyes allow withoutt much cloud to hinder the fun! Listening to music and watching television shows dispel boredom while they create facades concealing unhappy disposition.

‘ No hay rosas sin espinas’, There is no rose without a thorn!

‘ No es oro todo que reluce’ , Not all that glitters is gold!

No matter what, it is how we deal with the piercing of life’s arrows that matters! . To find joy even when what we dream of is as simple as our status, the cards are still in our hands. Of course, we have to earn our keep! When the ball is rolling, the goal is achieved by trying to shoot it with accuracy, determination, compassion, persistence and the likes!

Let us remember though that not everything that is served to us in a silver platter is of gold that will fill our pocketbooks. Not everything that will make us happy can be bought!

The many facets of life and of living will at times give us a scare or outbalance us or even disorient us, yet, the strenght of character inside us should be enhanced with The GMRC’s we have mustered as well as The Faith that we have shielded ourselves with will make us triumphant soonest!

‘Til next ish… SHALOM!*