THE PHENOMENOLOGY OF HUGGIES AND OTHER DIAPERS

For married couples, the clashing of parental authorities always occurs in any dimension of married life, sometimes in the most unexpected realm. But you would not always surrender your wounded ego until you have seen how stupid have you become by holding on to your resolved of untested belief. My story happened on our way back to Ohio from Florida.

Minutes from boarding our last plane from Charlotte when Jaz “suggested” to me of changing Zach’s diaper. Feeling tired from running after Zach, who felt ecstatic in riding the airport’s walkalator (we probably made 5 trips), I reasoned out the shortness of flight in declining Jaz’s “suggestion” (it will take us only 45 minutes to reach Canton, Ohio).

The boarding was very on time and we were able to settle on our seats minutes after boarding. Zach was very silent and enjoyed the sight of passengers boarding the plane. Soon the plane slowly taxiing the tarmac and I was very excited to rest while waiting from the flight attendant’s water and peanuts (and you say this is America), Then all of a sudden the Captain broke the silence with his chilling news, “we will not be able to take off for the next 45 minutes.” “There goes my rest”, I told myself, while looking for Zach’s wandering eyes.

As I was praying that Zach would not take advantage of the very sensitive situation, there he was starting to look for something that would entertain him.

When you are a parent, you should be “very creative” to device a tool (any tool) of entertainment. And so we thought. We started from showing him the clouds’ formation (span of attention – 40 seconds), other planes taking off (2 minutes), fire truck (1 minute), window shutting up and down (30 seconds), singing Elmo ( 2 minutes) videocam (5 minutes). Thanks that before I started making myself funny in front of Zach, the plane started to move forward again and with God’s grace, took off. We were relieved.

However, 20 minutes after take off, Zach started “complaining” again. We tried deciphering his “concern” but we were not lucky. Soon he stared wailing, and soon after the passengers around us were giving us the stares and smiles of “could you make him shut”. Not long after, the bitch old lady in seat no. 2 started looking back at us in a very consistent and timely manner.

Although we took turns of cuddling him, yet Zach would not stop. Jaz “suggested” me to stand up and walk with Zach on the plane. I was on my way to stand up (Zach was with me), when Zach threw up, all over my right shoulder and in my seat. Fortunately, Jaz was fast enough to clean the “mess” and doused the “ohhss and ahhhsss” of the passengers near us.

I immediately walked out of our seat and went to the flight attendant’s quarter where I was able to walk Zach a little and got a little breather. But he continued to whine and cry.

Soon Jaz started reminding me of her diaper’s suggestion while we were still in the lounge. Amenable as I was, yet my arms are tied this time, I can’t go the restroom, (the way was blocked by the flight attendant who was still distributing “refreshments). Feeling helpless and tired (from the stares of the passengers), I went back to my seat, held Zach firmly and changed his diaper right then and there. Seconds after, Zach stopped crying, asked for his milk (which he doesn’t want to drink a while ago), and doused off.

For the next minutes, I was very relieved. Jaz was brimming with smile, as if telling me, “I told you so!” Point taken.

Communications sometimes are so subtle but the after effect is so huge. Listen even if you don’t want to. Little did I realize that Zach’s comfort would be our comfort too!

Bro. Estelito Leva, CM: Isang Institusyon sa Paglilingkod

ni Emiliano Dumalaog

Matanda na si Bro. Leva. Gumagamit na siya ng tungkod sa paglalakad. Kahit sa katandaan ay patuloy pa rin siya sa pagtupad ng kanyang tungkulin bilang isang Vincentian Lay Brother, ang tungkuling maglingkod. Hindi siya kumuha ng MBA o nagpakadalubhasa sa Pilosopiya o Theolohiya, pero taglay niya ang pinakamahalagang kaalaman na natututunan ng tao sa kanyang pagsasaliksik ng karunungan: ang takot sa Diyos. "Mapapalad ang mga mapagkamababang-loob at ang may takot sa Diyos sapagkat sa kanila ang kaharian ng Diyos."

Bro. Leva, salamat po sa aral at halimbawa mo.






(photos by Efren Dancel)

Al Novelero: Isang Paggunita

ni Emiliano Dumalaog

Nasa huling taon kami ng minor seminary noon. Ka-klase ko si Al Novelero. Katulad ng nakagawian taun-taon, nagkaroon ng try-out para sa bakanteng slot sa varsity team sa basketball. Kasama na ako sa Varsity team noon at isa si Al sa nag-tryout. Si Al ay medyo may kabagalan , katabaan at hindi naman kataasan, mga katangian para sa iba ay limitasyon pero hindi para sa kanya. Sa try-out, ipinakita niya ang ibang klaseng sipag at determinasyon. Ngunit para sa isang laro na kung saan ang taas at bilis ay napakahalaga, kapansin-pansin ang kanyang mga pagkukulang.

Dahil sa pagpili noon ay ginagawa ng mga natitirang varsity players , pinilit kong maisama si Al sa team. Sinabi ko sa mga teammates ko kung gaano kahalaga kay Al ang maging miyembro ng varsity dahil huling taon na niya noon sa St. Vincent's, samantala ang iba naman ay may pagkakataon pa sa susunod. Pumayag naman ang mga teammates ko dahil karamihan sa kanila ay ka-klase rin ni Al. Ang saya-saya ni Al nang malaman niyang kasama siya sa Varsity team. Hindi niya akalain na mapipili siya. Natupad ang isa sa mga simple niyang pangarap.

Naging maigsi ang buhay ni Al dahil nasawi siya sa isang aksidente noong taon ring iyun. Pero lagi siyang mananatiling buhay sa ala-ala ko.

(flickr photo: http://www.flickr.com/people/jimenezarthur/ )