The Sweetness of Gratitude in the Midst of the Storm
The sweetness of gratitude cannot be a more apt topic in the midst of picking up the pieces after Ondoy’s wrath. Although the storm has technically left, the aftermath can also be considered a storm in itself. Because picking up the pieces isn’t always easy. There won’t even be a single picture that will express our gratitude enough. First, towards the Lord, who has ultimately allowed for us to survive this crisis. This, I believe is the most important thing of all. Sure, we lost a whole a lot of material things and have even exhausted our resources as we struggle to move forward to live normally again. But the fact is, we really are better off than the majority of people who were spent by Ondoy. I did not have to go through the pain of being separated from my family, as tiring as all the cleaning up has been, I cannot be thankful enough for this very thing. We are grateful for our very kind neighbors who gladly welcomed us in. We stayed at the second floor of their house for 2 nights. 
at the neighbor’s with my roughhousing boys, waiting for the flood waters to subside
Our 4 year old son, Jed, helping us out as we clean up. His ever cheerful and playful mood, despite the crisis, never ceased to remind us that life can still be wonderful despite our circumstance.
My heart is even more overwhelmed with gratitude even as friends and loved ones come to our home to provide the very things we needed and more, just when we needed them most. The first days of Ondoy, we barely have clothes to wear and whatever is left of our pantry was slowly exhausting. Immobile even as the car was also submerged by the flood, people came rushing in to help and give. Lelet, a former officemate even lent us her car for us to do some immediate errands (like bring the wet clothes and beddings to the cleaners) and tow the car. Frances, a friend I’ve had since childhood and my sister’s SIL, provided not just my sister and her brother with clothing, but extended help even to my family and my parents’. Friends from church, Pastor Alvin and wife, Diane also came to replenish our drinking water and gave us clothes we badly needed. Tita Sally, my ever faithful godmother, who has stood like my second mother all this years, came also with relief goods and even grocery money.
When life’s forces bomabard you with uncertainties and the Lord just overflows your heart through channeling His grace and love through these wonderful people, the comfort is instant and there’s just no way but to see life as good and all worth it.
*My entry for my good friend, Teacher Ria’s contest, for http://www.thankyoudayphilippines.com/
