The worst of times bring out the best of people

Photo by Yoann Boyer on Unsplash

It’s been a while since I posted anything on this blog. It’s not like nothing happened during my absence. The truth is, so many things happened and most of it became too depressing to talk about. I’ll try my best to touch some of it now, just so to explain why my post today is titled as such.

Two days after his birthday my younger brother, the father of my nephews, was rushed to the hospital due to difficulty in breathing. It started the day before when he felt weak and was having a bad cough. I even expressed concerns that it might be COVID, but he adamantly dismissed it. He said he didn’t have any other symptoms other than the cough and said it must be another asthma attack. The following morning it had gotten so bad we had to hook him to an oxygen tank and later on had to be brought to the hospital when that didn’t help.

I’ve already mentioned in the past my frustrations with the lifestyle my brother has chosen for himself. He smokes heavily, sleeps late, eats unhealthy food — I mean, think of every possible abuse one can do to his or her own body, with the exception of drugs and booze, my brother did it. Not to mention the other personality flaws and unpleasant things about him, which I will no longer talk about.

Finding joy and hope in the little things

Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash

It seems that almost everyone I know personally has family, relatives, friends who had died from COVID. If you’re one who hasn’t been “touched” by this deadly virus, consider yourself lucky and I fervently pray it would stay that way for you.

Last September 11, we have registered a record-high of 26,303 new COVID cases. It’s the highest number of cases logged in a day since this pandemic started last year. I don’t know what we’re doing wrong but I sometimes feel like the Philippines is in a losing battle. Like we’re all in a game of Russian roulette. 

What annoys me more aside from the incompetence of the government in handling the crisis is the non-stop bickering of opposing parties especially that the presidential election is just 7 months from now. 

My Christmas Wishlist (2021 Edition)

Photo by Juliana Malta on Unsplash

Today marks the beginning of the -ber months and for Filipinos, the countdown to Christmas starts now. 

This is the time of the year when I get excited looking forward to my favorite season. Yes, even at my age and even in the midst of this unprecedented pandemic, I’m still excited for Christmas. I like how even in the most depressing of times, the thought of celebrating another one still brings hope and joy for me.