My 2011 Christmas Experience
Dear SAIDI FOUNDATION COMMUNITY & FRIENDS
My 2011 Christmas came early...not quite early. October 26 @ Bethlehem in the Church of the Nativity, the Basilica Grotto,the Manger Square and the Milk Grotto. I was there to venerate the place and to be connected to the experience that happened even before I was born. This moment, one of a lifetime experience, was just beyond words to describe.
I was part of a group of 46 following the footsteps of the Lord. During the journey, I was shifting from on-off mode. Too many actions. Too many stories to hear, to recall and to remember. Too crowded schedule, irresistible shopping, sights to capture...'picture, picture'... rushed footsteps up-and-down the bus because we had to cover the places we were promised to see. This was more like a tour, for the most part. But I assure you, the spiritual moments would hit you at a most unexpected time. If you remain open to the experience!
Let me now go back to TODAY...2011 Christmas day with my family here at Bella Vista.
The rhythm, the rituals, the mood, the food (especially to us, Filipinos!)...these have been more of the same all the years of my life. What has changed though, in my case, are the roles I play at different times ... daughter, goddaughter, big sister, friend, neighbor, godmother, boss,spouse, parent and grandparent. When you hit six decades plus of earthly life(!), the first and the last roles are the strongest bridges that arrest the impunity of the stress of the rhythm of preparing gifts, the rituals of 'kodakan' and parties (staying awake through the hours of the 24th and the 25th!) and the mood of endless merriment even when one carries a load of pain and a myriad of suffering (from physical to spiritual).
I have reached a stage in my life where I have become more and more detached from the usual sort of celebration ... especially because this 2011, there is so much to bear gracefully (not merrily) and bravely (certainly not merrily, too): Waves of separation from beloved family and friends, hurting differences between and among significant and loved folks, ambiguity, the daily battle of discomfort and ailments with an aging body, pettiness and irrelevance in my family and work life, among my friends, and in the country, my countrymen (leaders and citizens) and the damaged and scarred climate and environment you and I live in.
BUT, thanks to my grandchildren who shower me with their endless chattering, romping around and total abandon! As I have become detached from the usual sort of celebration, the grandchildren provide me the strongest pull to the Present that is more there and beckoning.
AND thanks that three of my children were around to fortify our present family relations. AND thanks that my 92 year old father and two of my siblings and the significant new gains to the family came - nephews, nieces and in-laws. Indeed the power of the Present cannot be shunted to insignificance.
Yes, there is every reason to feel joyful and grateful about Christmas despite the harsh realities and experiences of life brought about by the havoc of 'Sendong' or by bruised or wounded relations. It is the harshness of every situation that brings us closer to the experience of Bethlehem. It is the seeming absence of gratitude and goodness that allow us to feel Baby Jesus in the Manger - shivering in the cold, surrounded by animal stink and un-welcomed by the world He was commissioned by His Father to save.
In this light, allow me to share my feelings with you about 2011 Christmas: deep joy, gratitude and hope for my Family's wellness, SAIDI's soar into the future and decent welfare and being for all Filipino families and leaders.
(I have personally refrained from using the SMS to greet or acknowledge greetings during the holidays because the providers are cashing in too much from all of us! --- seriously!).
Cheers to the Baby in the Manger
Affectionately
Rosalina Ora'a-Fuentes, PhD
President and Dean
SAIDI Foundation
SAIDI Graduate School of Organization Development
My 2011 Christmas came early...not quite early. October 26 @ Bethlehem in the Church of the Nativity, the Basilica Grotto,the Manger Square and the Milk Grotto. I was there to venerate the place and to be connected to the experience that happened even before I was born. This moment, one of a lifetime experience, was just beyond words to describe.
I was part of a group of 46 following the footsteps of the Lord. During the journey, I was shifting from on-off mode. Too many actions. Too many stories to hear, to recall and to remember. Too crowded schedule, irresistible shopping, sights to capture...'picture, picture'... rushed footsteps up-and-down the bus because we had to cover the places we were promised to see. This was more like a tour, for the most part. But I assure you, the spiritual moments would hit you at a most unexpected time. If you remain open to the experience!
Let me now go back to TODAY...2011 Christmas day with my family here at Bella Vista.
The rhythm, the rituals, the mood, the food (especially to us, Filipinos!)...these have been more of the same all the years of my life. What has changed though, in my case, are the roles I play at different times ... daughter, goddaughter, big sister, friend, neighbor, godmother, boss,spouse, parent and grandparent. When you hit six decades plus of earthly life(!), the first and the last roles are the strongest bridges that arrest the impunity of the stress of the rhythm of preparing gifts, the rituals of 'kodakan' and parties (staying awake through the hours of the 24th and the 25th!) and the mood of endless merriment even when one carries a load of pain and a myriad of suffering (from physical to spiritual).
I have reached a stage in my life where I have become more and more detached from the usual sort of celebration ... especially because this 2011, there is so much to bear gracefully (not merrily) and bravely (certainly not merrily, too): Waves of separation from beloved family and friends, hurting differences between and among significant and loved folks, ambiguity, the daily battle of discomfort and ailments with an aging body, pettiness and irrelevance in my family and work life, among my friends, and in the country, my countrymen (leaders and citizens) and the damaged and scarred climate and environment you and I live in.
BUT, thanks to my grandchildren who shower me with their endless chattering, romping around and total abandon! As I have become detached from the usual sort of celebration, the grandchildren provide me the strongest pull to the Present that is more there and beckoning.
AND thanks that three of my children were around to fortify our present family relations. AND thanks that my 92 year old father and two of my siblings and the significant new gains to the family came - nephews, nieces and in-laws. Indeed the power of the Present cannot be shunted to insignificance.
Yes, there is every reason to feel joyful and grateful about Christmas despite the harsh realities and experiences of life brought about by the havoc of 'Sendong' or by bruised or wounded relations. It is the harshness of every situation that brings us closer to the experience of Bethlehem. It is the seeming absence of gratitude and goodness that allow us to feel Baby Jesus in the Manger - shivering in the cold, surrounded by animal stink and un-welcomed by the world He was commissioned by His Father to save.
In this light, allow me to share my feelings with you about 2011 Christmas: deep joy, gratitude and hope for my Family's wellness, SAIDI's soar into the future and decent welfare and being for all Filipino families and leaders.
(I have personally refrained from using the SMS to greet or acknowledge greetings during the holidays because the providers are cashing in too much from all of us! --- seriously!).
Cheers to the Baby in the Manger
Affectionately
Rosalina Ora'a-Fuentes, PhD
President and Dean
SAIDI Foundation
SAIDI Graduate School of Organization Development
