DEC. 31, 2014 YEAR-END REFLECTION

Life is wonderful! The Lord has showered me with countless blessings throughout the 83 years of my life which far outnumber the disappointments and heartaches that came my way. A grateful heart is a mark of a Christian and so as this year comes to an end, I take time to say my profound thanks to God for being the recipient of a lion's share of His favor and blessings!

By design, He willed that I be born in a family where Faith was the axis on which all aspects of life revolved. My childhood years were marked by a deep-seated devotion to God and our Blessed Mother manifested in the lives we lived under the example of my parents specially my mother. The Family Rosary, Angelus and before/after meals prayers were a daily constant as the rising and setting of the sun. Even our regular Confession, which nowadays is known as Sacrament of Reconciliation, was a family affair. Discipline, gentle and fair, was administered by our parents with military precision. In all honesty, my climb up the educational ladder from elementary, secondary and college level was nothing short of outstanding. The forty-seven years of togetherness with a "soul-mate" cum jack-of-all-trades was the envy of many. 

With the distinct pride inherent to parents, I have my children-Bobby, Marissa, Noel and Cielo who pursued and finished their college education and are gainfully employed. More importantly, by living their Faith, they are exemplary, characterwise, since their early and teen years when some families are torn by their children's behavior influenced by wrong friends or bad company or addiction of any form. The flow of love and understanding between siblings and spouses has dominated our family life unlike tragic circumstances in families where some members are not on speaking terms. Hence, family gatherings to celebrate birthdays, Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, graduations, dramatic performances, recitals,  etc. are a source of unspeakable joy and fond memories. 

 My most rewarding career in a male-dominated field of Shipping with a job description of being the Director of Overseas Shipping at the Maritime Industry of the Philippines caused a lot of applause. Having been the only woman among the eighteen awardees of the United Nations Scholarship Program on Shipping during the decade of the 1970's was heartwarming. Four plaques of appreciation including one from the President of the Philippines meant for me a vote of confidence. The apex of my career was representing the Philippines in more than fifty, yes, 50 international conferences of  the United Nations (UNCTAD) and the ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) which were held in different countries of the world. The opportunity to visit foreign shores developed in me the "love" for travel which keeps alive my unceasing desire for learning.

 With God's help, I have visited as of this date, thirty-five (35) countries. Of the seven continents, I have wandered the byways and highways of Asia, North America, South America, Europe, Australia, and Africa except Antartica which never graced my mind to see. What  is more, I  have managed to open new vistas of learning to my children and grandchildren by taking them along in my travels. I adopted a policy of giving a trip to Paris, Lourdes and Lisieux (France) as gift to my grandchildren finishing Grade VIII and a visit to Rome, Venice and Florence (Italy) for graduating from high school. Six of my seven grandchildren have enjoyed the two trips except one who is still in grade school who has not been to France yet though was with me to Italy last year. God willing, I hope to fulfill my promise to Melanie in the very near future.

The legacy of Faith to my family and loved ones has been the primary focus of my life both by word and example. I am convinced that I have done my level best and will continue to do so, to make God the very center of their lives. With the help of the Holy Spirit, I pray that our Catholic Faith be ingrained in their  being as long as they walk this earth!

Aware that some knowledge of  investment tools had assisted my husband and I to enjoy their fringe benefits, I launched a project on "Stocks" among my grandchildren as I did with my offsprings. I felt that having a portfolio of "forever" stocks at their teenage years will give them the insight and the discipline of "the power to prosper." In my talks with them, I emphasized the need of having a investment fund in their monthly budget and the rewards of investments during their retirement years. Four of my grand- children do part-time work while studying. To encourage and to help them in this new venture, I helped and will continue to share in their monetary needs as long as I am able. In addition, I do the research for them yet but checking on the stocks performance is their responsibility. I beamed with happiness as I took them to a brokerage office, see them fill up their application forms and witness them listen intently to a Scottrade broker's commentary. Their investment portfolio for this year included the following: Berkshire Hathaway B, Apple, Intel, and Costco.These stocks are not to be "touched or sold" till my grandchildren will be 60 or 62 years old.While we shall continue to look for other promising "legacy or forever stocks," we shall be dealing with Mutual Funds later since these funds are less risky than stocks as part of an Investment Portfolio.

The bonanza of blessings that I have received especially this 2014 from our all-powerful, all-merciful God has been magnanimous. To you, O Lord, goes my unending Praise and Thanksgiving!

Can you blame me if I consider myself as " One of God's Favorites?