Tag: Valentine’s Day

Christian, Family Stuff, Halo Halo, Strength In Difficulties

Unconditional Love

“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy, love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things; believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  Love never fails.”  1 Corinthians 13.4-8

This beautiful couple showed me and my siblings how it looks like to love one another.  Unconditionally.

Today, as we celebrate Valentine’s Day, and knowing what it’s all about, I can’t help but think of my parents who were more than just attracted to each other.  As they grew in their marriage, they learned to go beyond feelings and took the next step of loving each other unconditionally.  They learned how to think of each other and serve one another.  There is no such thing as a perfect marriage as we all get selfish.

But year after year, I witnessed their marriage beautifully blossom.  Especially, sometime after my Dad had a severe stroke. Whereas Dad had always been the provider and leader of the home, now he needed my mom to care for him in every way (big and small).  Man, did my mom step it up.  It was then I personally saw the diamond of God’s love shining in their marriage from a whole new angle.  As they both learned to continue to show unconditional love to each other.

Their new “norm” could’ve broken their marriage.  Instead, it made their marriage stronger and continued to grow for 64 years!  Despite the difficulty of my Dad having to recover from his stroke, my Mom and Dad were a picture of unconditional love between a husband and a wife.   What a beautiful display of God’s love and common grace to all men and women!

In sickness and in health, till death do us part.  They truly lived it.  My hope and prayer is to emulate their example in my marriage.  So blessed and thankful for my parents as I have lived to see what  true romantic Valentines really look like!

 

 

Family Stuff, Halo Halo

Dahil Sa Iyo

My Dad loved to sing.  And I mean he really loooooved to sing!  He would sing to my Mom when he came home from work, he would sing at home, he would sing in the kitchen, in the living room, in our bedrooms, and even outside.  He would even make up a song that didn’t make any sense, but these songs had my dad’s love and warmth written all over them.  And he didn’t care if people would hear and notice him.  He was more concerned that we heard him.

A song I remember that my Dad always sang to my Mom is “Dahil Sa Iyo” translated to English “Because of You.”  A Filipino love song very recognized by most Filipinos.  I still clearly remember growing up that my Dad always cared for my Mom.  One way I remember this is that we would get in so much trouble when we gave my Mom a hard time.  That show “Wait Till Your Father Gets Home” comes to mind  ;-D

And other ways he would show it was by always singing to my Mom, showing affection by hugging her and kissing her, even in front of us!  I remember getting all yucked out about it back then, but loving it so much when I got older.

So, I dedicate this song to my Dad as I know he most likely was ready to sing this song to my Mom this Saturday on Valentine’s Day if he were still alive.  And he would sing it even if it was not Valentine’s Day.  Regardless, we continue to hear him sing this song as we will forever hear and feel it in our hearts.

We love you and miss you so much Dad!  ❤