Storytellers

My nephews: KJ, CJ, NJ and my niece: Theara

I am the official storyteller to my nephews and niece. When they misbehave, I calm them down by saying, "I have a story to tell.."

We would soon lie down in bed. They would gather in my arms, keep silent and wait for me to begin.

I have told them all the stories I know - from Rumpelstiltskin to the True Story of the Three Little Pigs (yes, they now know the wolf just wanted to have a cup of sugar). In fact, I have run out of stories to tell, I now have to make my own - on the spot. 

Thanks to deus ex machina, I have a way to end a complicated one. It's okay; children can listen to anything. Sometimes, I am the one surprised by my own stories - our stories that go from heroic to domestic, soldiers to animals, wars to worms.

Sometimes, we switch roles and I make them tell me a story. By the plot, I know they too had to make it up. It's okay, I can listen to anything. I express my delight in the end, anyhow and by the smile on their face, I know they feel they are the best storytellers in the world.

In our stories, birds take a shower, dogs are singers and goats are dancers. Worms one day become chickens and ostrich is the mother of a hamster. My nephews and niece are the heroes and heroine - yes, they make mistakes, but they learn a lesson in the end. 

Our stories often follow standard rule - good guys triumph and bad guys get what they deserve.

Someday, I can't do this with them anymore so while I could still gather them in my arms, I let our imagination fly like we let cats fly. I let a dog become a liar and a hen teach him a lesson; a city mouse spare a stray cat some bread; a bird celebrate a friendship with a goat through a dance in the rain. 

We have run out of "stories" but we can always make our own.  

Coffee for Two

It was not your typical planned coffeebreak at Starbucks. We - Ma'am Shirley and I - just wanted to drop by to check out some tumblers. I said, "There is no Starbucks in Bohol."

I am going back home in 5 days to stay there for God-knows-how-long.

"Really? Why don't we sit awhile and have some drink?" - She said.

 (I wondered if it's unfortunate for a place to not have a Starbucks.)

 "Sure."

In a conversation between two people, two worlds meet - colors blend, melodies form music. A story is made. She is twice my age. She could have been my mother - but she never looks like it. We wonder what has kept her young-looking. 

Perhaps, joy and peace have a way of bringing out the youth in one. She has those two. Somehow, I have had a glimpse of the things that made her cry. She gets lonely at times, of course. But at the core of her sad moments is a certain stillness - a stability - one coming from the Lord.

Peace is contagious, they say - but when two peaceful hearts come together - it is a fireworks moment. Call it the joy of fellowship, the essence of community. 

It is by simple, unexpected moments like this when certain personal impressions are made real. You hear it from somebody else. They make it clear to you how blessed you are and how exciting walking with the Lord is.

Moments like this have a way of confirming certain convictions and values, like removing cobwebs from your mind and making the future look brighter.

Fellowships like this surface your differences - but that it should all the more explain your friendship and strengthen it.

Love prevails.

Life is full of surprises. Sometimes events confirm Murphy's Law. Sometimes, life takes its toll on us. But that's not the end of the story. The truth is - there is victory in this life. For us, we cling to this verse: 

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

The surprise can be something you will really like. It can come from an unexpected moment that has sprung from a seemingly sad reality or event - a talk that will help make things make sense - a talk that will come us a light-bulb moment in the future - a talk that will change your life forever.

There is no Starbucks in Bohol and that has been a blessing. There are no unfortunate realities, only opportunities.