My kind of December

I’M SUPPOSED to finish writing my Christmas break story this week, but until Wednesday, I was still in Cagayan de Oro City (CDO), and the break is not over yet, haha!

While in CDO and together with our hosts, we proceeded to Don Narciso Cafe in Claveria, Misamis Oriental for a breathtaking view. It didn’t fail to impress! However, the paramount highlight of the visit was the appearance of twin rainbows after a drizzle! What could be more marvelous than the sight of twin rainbows in an already perfect setting!

It’s both a promise and a sign! For whatever promise it holds, I claim God’s greatness for 2022!

Moving forward, one of the more interesting characteristics of the Bukidnon route is the presence of bridges. And mind you, I have kept a love affair with bridges – you can ask Betty Martinez about it! Yes, you can say that again. It began in my childhood when I started to get charmed by the Loay bridge in Loay, Bohol. I always looked forward to passing the bridge each time we went home to Valencia, Bohol which was nearly every weekend, my father’s beloved hometown.

One bridge in Bukidnon that overpowers the rest because of its depth is the Atugan bridge. It really blows the mind! The Atugan bridge in Impasug-ong, Bukidnon is 215 feet high and 0.23 kilometer long. The bridge offers a scenic view of the Atugan Canyon and river below.

This particular bridge had fascinated me ages ago when I first relocated in General Santos City and served the power industry in Mindanao. It still mesmerizes me up to now. I made sure to share the view with my daughter since it’s her first time to travel in these parts.

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Yesterday, I flew to Manila for the first time after two years. Imagine! The COVID-19 pandemic has really altered our lives in unimaginable ways.

In the past, traveling every four months was a regular thing for me. I go places and author stories. Then the health crisis took over and halted everyone’s travel routine. Imagine the loss of stories because I can’t visit sites anymore.

Hopefully with this Manila trip, I can visit spots again and draft several stories until I proceed to my next stop: Butuan City.

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Quite often, the comfort we expect from people close to us is not forthcoming. It’s because they don’t want to get involved in our life challenges. Others are critical and even taunt us while some others don’t have the time for us.

While I want to understand this behavior, however, it pisses me off to be measured against the template that a person once used or is presently using to overcome his or her own personal challenge. It’s full of crap! It’s shit_y, actually.

Different people have diverse ways of coping. Stop being a damn superhuman. You’re no help at all.

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For 2021, here’s my Christmas message:

I’ve always been authentic, as my friend Catherine Velasco asserts. It’s true. Apart from being divergent, I am as real as you can get and extremely audacious. After all, I wouldn’t have set foot in General Santos City if I weren’t a brave spirit with a warrior’s heart.

The year 2021 wasn’t kind to me – the past six months really sucked; likewise for my sister, my cousins, and some friends. Life, after all, is characterized by the maxim: “Win some; lose some.”

I’ve longed for a Christmas break as early as the first week of December to wash away the ache and pain of the months prior. That’s why I’m so grateful for this trip. You can’t begin to fathom the freedom and liberation I felt when we finally began the Christmas journey on December 17th. It’s a catharsis.

Momentarily, I’m not thinking about the next few days or months. I just want to relish the present and be grateful for the love of family, close friends, my FB community, and neighbors.

No matter what people say, you alone can find comfort and solace when going through a rough spot in your life. Just be extra grateful to the intimate group of friends and counselors that you keep. They are the kindred spirits whose kindness and empathy water your soul.

In the end, trust in the GOD of all comfort. He will see you through until the next season of your life. Yes, season.

Above all, be gentle with yourself.

Have a comforting Christmas everyone.

I love you.

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Writer can be reached at belindabelsales@gmail.com. Twitter @ShilohRuthie./PN