Since childhood, my parents taught my three brothers, two sisters and I that Christmas always brings message of hope, salvation and love; these come in the form of Christmas gifts. The greatest gifts are those that come from someone who loves us.

During Christmas season as a child, I always hope that my personal one year savings of an assortment of coins carefully put in a slot to go inside a bamboo rod or alkansya can buy the thing I want for Christmas day. My Tatay and Nanay were the ones who encourage us to save. From the saving, I hope to buy a pair of new leather cowboy shoes. While my parents simple Christmas wish is: “May everyone be with his family in good health”.

When typhoon Glenda struck our farmstead in the late evening of 15 July 2014, half of the entire roof was blown away and two big trusses fell directly in our bedroom where Mary Ann my caring wife, Kongkong our 6-year old grandson and I escaped a probable accident. Later, I realize that God’s presence at that moment made our safe journey to the ground floor prior to the falling of trusses.

On 14 December 2014, five months later Kuya Celest my eldest brother with Ate Ruby his wife, Nanay Lina my mom, Hernan my younger brother, Margie my younger sister with his two sons Benjie & Abe, Kuya Bert with Ate Connie his wife, our family friends visited us.

They brought ‘pot luck’ a variety of meals and drinks that we all shared together. Their visit became another joyful family reunion and simple ‘Thanksgiving’ meal. (2 Corinthians 12:9 “His grace is sufficient for any difficulty that life brings our way.”) I remember that occasion took place eleven days before Christmas when my wife and I received the best gift for Christmas – Love!

God is good; He comes and brought us joy and peace thru His carriers of compassion, my Family. “Dear God, maraming salamat po sa Iyo.”