Weekly Photo Challenge: Everyday Life

Everyday Is A Reason To Smile

Yes, life can be stressful. It can wear us out. There are days that we drag ourselves out of bed, still sore and tired from the demands of work and household responsibilities. On the other hand, life also bring us reasons to smile and be happy about. More than happy enough for us to get up excitedly all ready to face any challenges of the day.

It is the everyday life that brings a much more meaningful and lasting value. At the end of the day, we feel good knowing that despite of the odds and difficulties we did our best and made it through. This photo was taken from one of the rural visits of my sister. She works in an agency that helps the poor start a livelihood project to hopefully improve their lives. She too will join me in the U.S. next year. During my last visit, I told her, “make sure that you make the most of everyday with your family , especially mom and dad. Go to places you wish to travel in the Philippines. Create the most wonderful memories. Once you leave you will realize that you never had to much of your family’s love and will always be longing for more nor do you have enough of memories of the beautiful places in our country.” She looked at me, smiled and said, ” I will Manoy.” Manoy is an endearing word for a respected elder brother.

Browsing through my sister’s Facebook page, I came across a trip she made with her friends to help a few families in a fishing village in Capiz as part of their community outreach program. After the event, they got a special treat of  ”Buko” or Coconut juice freshly picked from the tree and a mouth-watering, charcoal grilled newly catched seafood. Yep, a reason to smile and be delighted about.

Using her BlackBerry camera phone, she and her friends were able to capture the fun spirit of being among friends, family and a community that appreciate people for their kindness and good heart.

The man in yellow shirt helped them open the Coconut. My sister did gave it try but decided to give the job to the expert. Wise decision. The knife looks sharp and potentially dangerous.

Not to be out done, this gentleman brought them newly picked bananas.

Eating time. Hot newly cooked fish with rice do taste better when eaten using bare hands instead of spoon and fork. One of my sisters, finished an entire fish. Thus the triumphant giggle!

Everyday, we celebrate occasions that are important to us. A birthday, a wedding anniversary, even death anniversaries of the people who touched our lives and wish to remember for as long as we can. This year, my sister’s son turned two. The happiness on his face as he blew his birthday candles were priceless. I remember the pure joy and excitement I used to feel as a child when I had my birthday. My mom would bake me a chocolate cake sprinkled with colorful marshmallows and M and M’s. It was simple yet it had a undescribable magic that I feel is missing when I entered adulthood. Childhood is indeed an enchanting period. Today, I see the same spark in my son’s eyes when we celebrate his birthday.

Another sister celebrated her daughter’s first birthday this year. The theme was “Enchanted.” She dressed up as a little fairy. Costume or not, our kid’s birthdays will always be enchanting.

Everyday, life goes on. Some days are fun while others routinely normal. Some days we are at the top of the world while at other times, we are sad and in tears. No matter what the day brings, we should passionately embrace it. Smile cause you’re happy, love cause you care, laugh cause you feel light inside, cry if you must to cleanse your heart of pain, live to the fullest cause we only have one life to live.

When we are all together, everything around us is one happy and fun playground. Another sister with her husband having a blast at Jawili Beach, Aklan.

Everyday, life reminds us of what is valuable in this world. It also reminds us of the important things that we missed. Life is also about second chances and I know that one day, I will be a part of this family picture by the beach, enjoying a day of endless fun under my very own tropical Island Sun.

Thank you for sharing your day with me. I hope you enjoyed my version of “Everyday Life“  for this week’s Photo Challenge. I apologize for my delayed responses. Lately, my everyday life had been very hectic. I promise to catch up as soon as I can. Wishing you all a beautiful day filled with wonderful blessings.

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