I am sure you’ll either laugh or just find the title a bit ridiculous blogging about new year when it is not even December yet. It’s actually the eve of my birthday and I vividly recall what a friend told me before that having another birthday is also a new year of celebration in one’s life. I could not begin to describe the happiness I felt the past few days when some friends chose to celebrate my birthday early.
Tuesday was one of those days I’ll never forget. I’ve finally met Odette, an online friend who is also a member of our Catholic page at Facebook. She came over together with two more members of our group. I haven’t seen them for more than a year and it was such a joy to reminisce and talk about, what else, but our online apostolate. We touched on the early days of AFCC when Fr. Louie and I were just busy inviting members to join our page. As they say, the rest is history because after more than two years , we now have almost 11,000 members – people who share the same faith and love for God.
I am now a proud owner of a dozen books most of which are on my wish list, six thick journals for my writing (with matching pens to boot) and other lovely gifts which they brought with them. It is so overwhelming to be showered with all these blessings. I guess those books deserve another blog. I don’t even know which to read first because I like them all.
The day was not enough for all the “kwentuhans”. Just imagine a group of friends just enjoying each other’s company with home-cooked food to go. It really was a lovely early birthday celebration. 
The following day, we trooped to Saisaki/Kamayan/Dad’s at SM Megamall to have lunch with other members invited by Odette. We all enjoyed the buffet lunch of course but the company was even better. It felt like we haven’t seen each other for such a long time. We had games and sharing initiated by Fr. Louie and it was fun. Even Fr. Louie’s mom was game enough to join us.
Fr. Louie and Odette seeing each other at last. See the joys on their faces.
And this sketch of St. Therese is an original artwork by Paul (in red shirt), professional artist/painter/photographer in our group. It’s a gift for Odette who is based in the US. And if that is not enough, he also gave Charlene another sketch. Charlene is a St. Therese devotee so it was really a welcome gift for her. When they give, they truly give with their hearts.
Here’s one of our group pictures,we were not complete here since some of them haven’t arrived yet. The highlight (at least for me) was when the group at Saisaki sang a birthday song and two Beatles songs. We were all smiling when
they could not even recall the exact lyrics of the songs. It was part of the fun though. I didn’t know that Odette bought a birthday cake for me with matching candles to blow. I was so touched I was teary-eyed. Well wishes for health and happiness, I could not ask for more.
And to think, my birthday was two days away when we had our lunch at Saisaki. This is one of the most fun-filled birthday celebrations ever.
Look at our happy faces. Fr. Louie said, “make a wish, make a wish“. I did of course, why not, wishes do come true right? Much as we want to linger and have more fun, the buffet lunch was only open until about 2:30pm. It was all worth it though, seeing each other again was such a blessing!
This is not goodbye, it’s more of “till next time”.
And what a way to celebrate a birthday 🙂
Dreams And Escapes 
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