“When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.”
I love quoting these lovely words from one of my favorite writers, Henri Nouwen, for they exactly describe how friendship should be and what it really means to me, when you could be just as you are with them, when they accept you in their lives and in their hearts, warts and all.
Last Saturday was another lovely celebration of friendship. A few close friends came over to just celebrate the day with me and mom. Two of them will be celebrating their birthdays this month and what a fitting way to share laughter, smiles, hugs, serious stuff (you would not believe this but most of our topics touched on our faith and the beauty of being a Catholic) and food of course. Mom was so amazed to learn that they came from places outside Metro Manila and she was full of questions like how I met them, why they are visiting me when we could choose to go out and spend the day in malls, she asked where they work, things that a typical mom wants to know. When they have left, she said “ang babait nila”. Mabait in English has no exact meaning but it encompasses various traits like being kind, gentle, friendly, generous, amiable, considerate, you name it, it is all in there in that single word. We had a good laugh of course while we were taking pictures. They brought their cameras and we took some shots.
We were all so full we just snacked on polvoron (yummy powdered milk candy from Red Ribbon), boiled peanuts and adobo peanuts while sharing and discussing so many topics, touching even politics and world affairs.
It was a lovely day to celebrate friendship.
Where’s the polvoron?!?!?!
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Haha. as usual nakaalis ka na!
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Fantastic post in every way and now I am very very hungry!
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I am still craving for that oh so yummy mango cake Julie. Yesterday, I visited the Red Ribbon cake shop after attending mass but it was always the first one to go. We binged on Chinese food (ordered from a favorite restaurant by one of my friends). Thanks 🙂
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What a great day, and delicious food too. The company of good friends is always to be treasured.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thank you. We had fun, the company was great. They feel at home here…they are my extended family!
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what a spread! nakakagutom 🙂 🙂
i love the quote from HN and i love celebrating friendship! they are priceless! your Mom is beautiful, Arlene! 🙂
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Yeay thanks, she’s turning 86 next month. It was an informal gathering of friends, I love the sound of laughter, they sure know how to make everything truly memorable.
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Loved seeing these pictures! What a beautiful family and friends as well. And what a spread of food! I love anything with mango, so that cake just made my mouth water. You all look so happy and like you really enjoyed the day together. My kids’ pediatrician who they’ve seen now for 16 years is from Manila. She travels back every year to see her family who lives there. She is one of the most wonderful people in my life.
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Oh really, your pediatrician is a Filipino? I am really glad to know that. Having a good doctor from here for your kids…wow!
Yes, we did enjoy it and they are planning a group road trip in the coming months. Thanks for your lovely comments Kelly.
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Yes she is the best. She used to be in private practice, but is now part of the Cleveland Clinic with two other docs. Very successful and well-loved. 🙂
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I am thrilled to know that one of our “kababayans” is doing very well there. We have lots of fine doctors here.
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I will tell her you said that 🙂
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Yeay, just tell her “kumusta ka” meaning how are you and she would surely wonder where you learned it.
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I will – I will write it down. Are you in Manila? Can’t remember
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Yes, east of Metro Manila.
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ok I will tell her – she will be thrilled!
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Thanks Kelly 🙂
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