3 Wishes

Every time I visit a new church, I wish for 3 things.  The last "new" church I visited was on the island of Boracay this past April on Palm Sunday.  My brother and I didn't make it out early enough to attend the service my parents went to since we had been out all night.  We hopped on a tricycle for 50 pesos one way down the road to the nearby parish.

I was looking forward to this service all week - since it would mark the start of Holy Week in one of the most predominantly Catholic countries in the world.  We got there and the crowds had overflowed out the church doors - we'd have to listen to Mass outside.  Thank God it was still early and there was plenty of shade.

I remember being so delighted by the local toddlers -- they were so chubby!  I had overheard one of the hotel workers saying how lucky and blessed they were for being able to work on this particular island because they were "never without".  And I could tell-- these lil ones were all smiles, waving their handcrafted palm leaves around.

I wasn't attending Mass back home regularly -- I found more comfort and stillness in my own work, thoughts, and other daily matters, but man, I had a tendency for piling everything on.  (There's no wonder I was out for 2 days upon arrival - the jetlag, exhaustion, climate change, etc. kicked my ass).  Prior to the trip, my full-time job, a grad school application, and my side gigs were getting the best of me and I was letting them.  I was probably driving my friends crazy (I have texts to prove it).  It was an overwhelming time and time was slipping by -- and I had nothing to show for it.  I was trying way too hard to be busy, to avoid certain things maybe?, but whatever, I wasn't at peace and I needed to find some damn direction.

So there I was, in the middle of an island, a bit hungover, tanner than I had arrived.  It was probably around the offertory hymn when I remembered to make my wishes.  Mom introduced this to me as a child and whatever was significant in my life, whatever I was hoping for and dreaming of, I'd designate these as my top 3.  I hadn't done this in awhile, the last "new" church I visited was probably in San Diego a year or two ago, and since this was the best time and the only opportunity - in such an awesome setting - for me to REALLY examine my life and determine what was important for me in the coming months- I had to run a quick system soul check.

What did I really want, need, long for to get my life back? on track? -- Grad School -- more specifically, to get into this awesome program which ties what I've done, practically everything, together (more on that in an upcoming post).

What will help me accomplish this and allow me to succeed in whatever I choose to do? -- My health and the health of those I love -- (I'm talking about mental, physical, emotional, spiritual) *Seeing my grandmother, my aunts and uncles age -- even my younger cousins and knowing that I was missing out on so much and that tomorrow wasn't guaranteed, got to me the most during this trip.  I have to cherish every moment when I'm with them.

Piggybacking on the previous thought, I more than desired to keep my Faith strong, to keep these "wishes" in my constant mind for such greater purposes.  There's absolutely no way I can do any thing without providence nor resolve-- I'll have to stay committed. 

Although I still have some work to do, I think I'm doing okay with these 3, so far.  It's been about two months since and much has remained the same.  There have been a few shifts in perspectives - but I always welcome growth and with #3, I know I'll be more than okay.

Tonight was just the perfect night to reflect and just be grateful for having that time on Palm Sunday to get things in line and prioritize my top 3.  When my brother and I arrived back to the hotel that Palm Sunday to join the rest of the family for brunch, we received a phone call from our Uncle in the mainland -- my grandmother's brother (who managed to stop by the night before we left to wish us well before our trip) unexpectedly passed away from a heart attack.  And, just like that, my "wishes" weighed more heavily and had more meaning.

1.) Grad School (Career/Fulfillment/Life Mission) 2.) Health 3.) Faith