1 

Today, on our thirteenth wedding anniversary, 

I just wanted to express my feelings deep inside 

But which words to use, I find difficult to decide 

2 

I could have written about our fave number thirteen 

That we consider lucky for us and our children

In their names the number and our history written

3 

I could have written about blessings that came our way 

Foremost are our children and the people we care for 

Earthly resources and otherwise, we have much more 

4 

I could have written about our wealth of experience 

Our projects and adventures, successes and failures 

Collected with passion to be where we wanna be 

5 

I could have written about our vision of success 

Many moments in our journey we chose happiness 

Ov’r a life of meaningless races and pettiness 

6 

I could have written about how wonderful you are 

Beauty that is not only a sight to behold 

But also evident to all ‘cause your heart is gold 

7 

I could’ve written about your remarkable talents 

The answer to “why is Rica such a great dancer?” 

You’re artistic, learn quick, adroit and a go-getter 

8 

I could’ve written about my luck that you're in my life 

And the years we were friends, before you became my wife 

And from thereon meaning, feeling, passion had been rife 

9 

I could have written about how great you make me feel 

That I can do anything, be what I wanna be 

That despite of and because of, you’ll be there for me 

10 

I could have written about thirteen years together 

Starting with our first one and every year thereafter 

But that would’ve taken volumes to write, years to finish 

11 

I could’ve written thirteen reasons I’d marry you ‘gain 

Though one is enough, the most important one at that 

Because we love and have each other no matter what 

12 

I could have written thirteen stanzas to make a point 

Of how much I love you and how much you mean to me 

I probably would, no matter how silly it’d be 

13 

Life has been great these thirteen years, the next I am sure 

Would be incredible, ‘cause we’re in for the long haul 

Together in this our journey to our final goal.

Happy 13th, my dear,

 

Twelve Years and Counting

A poem I wrote for Papa Sez on our wedding anniversary:

Photo courtesy of Panos Ipeirotis

I am so lucky I found you,

You taught me things I never knew.

You make me laugh, you make me cry

You cheer me up, Oh yes you try.

We almost missed saying “I do,”

But angels whispered we are meant to…

Now, it’s been twelve years and counting

We are happy and rejoicing.

Have you noticed in the past twelve years?

Together we conquered all our fears.

‘Coz we believed there’s nothing we can’t do,

If you’re with me and I’m with you.

Twelve colorful years and counting,

Precious moments swiftly passing.

Sweet memories and lessons learned,

For every page of life we turned.

Our blessings we selflessly share

With whomever we meet along the way.

May he be bum or gem in street,

We all journey with the same two feet.

Twelve years of marriage, four kids in carriage,

With happy hearts we go on with the voyage.

Until the day we park our cart,

When death will tear our lives apart.

A baby is an inestimable blessing and bother according to Mark Twain.

Well, it’s my pleasure to be bothered.

                                                                               - Mama Sez

When a couple had been earnestly praying for a child and finally conceive, they will immediately exclaim “We are now blessed with a child!” But what if the pregnancy is unplanned, will you still look at the child as a blessing or cry out that you are cursed? I hope that your honest answer is the former.

Papa Sez and I are both control freaks and are used to planning every detail of our lives. We have planned when to have a baby and what gender will they be. Well that was with our first two children, a girl and a boy.

Our two younger kids came to our lives in a different scenario. We were caught unprepared but were pleasantly surprised, especially my husband who really wants a big family and fortunate to not feel the actual burden of pregnancy and the pain of child delivery.

The first time it happened (this was with our third child), I shed tears of happiness and excitement. “Maybe it’s just right to have another child because we have built our dream house and it is a bit big for a family of four.” That was how I rationalized it as I thank God for the gift. I had to give up my career (which I can start over when conditions permit) to prioritize caring for the blessing. Call it a sacrifice... giving up something good for something better as my mentor lovingly put it.

We were on high spirits with a business venture when our youngest child came. This time, I can’t pick any reason why God was allowing this to happen…I was clueless. Nevertheless, trusting that God has a better plan for my family, I accepted the blessing wholeheartedly. We gave up the business to give full attention to three blessings and another one.

Our third child will be turning 3 next week and our youngest is a year and a half. Looking at what we have been through and where we are now, some mysteries unfold before my eyes. God gave us an opportunity to get out of the rat race. Though we had always been on the lead, the rat race is still a rat race. It was a chance to reflect on the meaning of success and our purpose in life, and then to focus on the essentials. God empowered us to become better beings as we survive the challenges of parenthood. He then led us to a path which we would have never traversed if we were left undisrupted in our “planned life.” We know that a more beautiful life awaits us and we are all so excited to be there in God’s time.

Every child born into the world is a new thought of God,

an ever-fresh and radiant possibility.

-Kate Douglas Wiggin

God constantly make us feel the most precious gift of happiness every time we look at our adorable young ones and witness their every milestone to remind us that He is a better planner than any of us people on earth.

In planned or unplanned coming of a child, in pleasurable moments or trying times, believe that every child is a blessing.