As The Chapter Closes...

As we stand at the threshold of another year's end, our hearts hold both shadows and light.

2024 brought us moments that tested our strength, taught us resilience, and showed us who truly stands beside us when storms gather.

To those we lost - your absence echoes in the quiet moments, but your love continues to guide us forward.

To the challenges that brought us to our knees - thank you for showing us we are stronger than we knew.

Some of us carry scars that the world cannot see, fought battles in silence, and found courage in the darkest hours. Yet here we stand, breathing, hoping, dreaming still.

Tonight, we release the weight of what was, honoring both our tears and triumphs. They have shaped us, but they do not define our tomorrow.

As the sun sets on this chapter, we gather our hopes like stars, ready to paint them across a fresh canvas. Tomorrow brings not just a new year, but a chance to begin again - wiser, braver, and more grateful for each breath we share.

To 2024 - thank you for your lessons. To 2025 - we step toward you with open hearts, ready to write new stories of love, healing, and possibility.

May we all find peace in letting go and courage in beginning anew.

~ Etheric Echoes

for 2025...

 

 

my toast...

 My New Years toast will be especially dedicated to me.

To the person I am, to my dreams, to my ideas, to my sacrifices...

To everything I've had and lost, to what I've found on the way.

I'll raise a toast to me, to the good that I've given, and to the good I've received.

A toast to life that's worth living anyway, to everything I don't have or want, to everything that was unexpectedly given.

That's what I'll do, just one toast...

A toast to Life!

Goodbye, 2024...

As the year winds down, I find myself looking back—not at the calendar or the milestones I thought I’d hit, but at the quiet battles I fought and the lessons I never asked for.

This year wasn’t always kind. There were sleepless nights when my thoughts wouldn’t let me rest and days where the weight of responsibilities felt like too much. Disappointments came in waves, expectations fell short, and people I thought would stay became memories. Some nights, hope felt so far away I wasn’t sure I’d find it again. But somehow, I did. I kept going. And in the mess of it all, I found strength I didn’t even know I had.

This year taught me how to Survive—the kind you only discover when life gives you no other choice. It showed me that growth isn’t always pretty or gentle, —sometimes, it’s raw and exhausting. I learned to let go of what wasn’t meant for me, even when it hurt, and to hold on tighter to the small joys that made the hard days bearable. There were moments that broke me, but there were also moments that pieced me back together. And if nothing else, I’ve made it here—to the end of the year—still standing, still learning, still finding ways to be grateful for the journey.

As we step into a new year, I hope it feels different—lighter, softer, and a little more forgiving. I hope we find peace in places we never thought to look, and joy in ways that feel effortless. I hope we can leave behind the heaviness of what didn’t work out and carry forward the growth we’ve earned.

No matter what lies ahead, may we remember how far we’ve come—and face the next chapter with open hearts, knowing we’ve already survived so much. — You’re a sweet goodbye after all, 2024!

— Lj Blossoms

Sad news to end 2024

the last 3 months of 2024 have turned out to be sad ones with Dan and I hearing of friends and family members going home to heaven...

the first one was our daughter-in-law's mom, Melina Cornejo, who died in her sleep in late October. She was only 67 and had had heart issues. She leaves behind her 2 daughters and 6 grandkids who will miss her dearly...

that was followed by Pastor Rusty Vigonte here in Brooke's Point, a co-laborer in TEMI's Bible School ministry, who died unexpectedly on November 29 from a massive cardiac arrest. He was only 50 and left behind his wife Marites and 4 children--Joy, Faith, Love, and Christian.

Ben Naguit, someone from Dan's childhood, passed away in early December. He is pictured here with his sister Gloria Naguit Aquino.

a few days later, i received word from my cousin Liza Caronongan that her Mom, my Dad's sister, Rhoda Isidro Pepito, had also passed away. She had just turned 90 but had been on dialysis for 10+ years. According to my cousin Vera Acosta, she had already prepared her family for the inevitable. An opera singer, i smile when i think of her singing with the heavenly choir along with her Mom, my Grandma Tecson, who also had a wonderful voice, and my Dad who could have also pursued a career in music but chose instead to be a pastor...

We were still reeling from the news of my aunt's homegoing when another friend from Dan's childhood, David Salmo, unexpectedly passed away. He was only 62.

I told Dan that I was waiting for the proverbial "other shoe" to drop when i received a message from his aunt, Josie Lacanilao, which she sent in the early morning hours of December 23 (Philippine time), that her husband, Tito Paul, our favorite of his uncles, had also gone home to heaven. Tito Paul had been sick for awhile and we are thankful that he is no longer in pain, but it's still a great loss for those of us who knew and loved him...

this is what was posted on Facebook:

Pastor Paul Lacanilao--Beloved Founder and Pastor of Cornerstone International Christian Church (CICC) in La Puente, California was ushered into glory and his heavenly home today. He was 83. God used him mightily as His faithful servant for over 50 years, bringing the Gospel to many and impacting lives for His Kingdom. We thank the Lord for Pastor Paul’s precious life and legacy!

Praise God!! All these precious individuals had a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus, and we can look forward to seeing them again when God calls us home to heaven someday...

true...

You never know how long you will be walking the path with someone. Life has its own plans, and no matter how much we try to look to the future and predict what's going to happen, it's all still a huge unknown.⁠
⁠
But don't let the constant coming and going of things make you fear what's around the bend. Because all of the things in your life, at one point in time, were unknown to you. All of the wonderful moments you have lived were once just around the bend, and you just didn't know it yet.⁠
⁠
So see it all through the eyes of possibility. Know that what could be... could turn out to be far more than you have ever imagined.⁠
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And then look to what you have in the moments in front of you and plant the seeds of joy, connection, gratitude, and compassion. Immerse yourself in the moment.⁠ Because as wonderful as around the bend may be, it's never as certain as what we have right here.⁠
⁠
Be here. Be here. Be here.⁠
⁠
Appreciate them.⁠
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Tell them that you love them. Hold onto them while they are here, and if at some point in time the path runs out—as hard as it may be—you can at least acknowledge that you were really here with them while they were as well.⁠
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It takes just a moment to let go of all your fears, doubts, and worries and to connect with the fact that you are alive, loved, and looked after. People like this bring you back to who you are. They can help you rediscover what you thought was lost. They are guides to where you need to be.⁠

There are some really special people that come into our lives that bring out the best in us. They might be friends, family, or relationships. Each of them brings a gift, something to teach you, something to offer you, and a path to you becoming who you are meant to be.⁠

Friendships in Adulthood...

Can I let you in on a secret about friendships in adulthood? Sometimes they are really freaking hard. Like, really freaking hard. But so often the friends we have in our adult years are the only thing saving us from hitting rock bottom. The truth is that even the strongest friendship bonds are not forged in stone. No, just as life is ever changing, friendships will always ebb and flow. Sometimes your closest friends fade away into the background of your life.
Sometimes background friends somehow become part of your inner circle. Sometimes brand new people enter your life and become the friends you never knew you needed.
Sometimes your heart aches because it misses the friendships that used to be but are no more. No matter where you are in your adult friendship journey, don't overthink it and don't dwell in the past. Instead, hold on tight and ride the friendship wave. Welcome the ones that find their way to you.
Send peace to the ones who fade away.
Love the friends that are there right now.

Changing Perspectives with Jenny Brennan

ANNIVERSARY #42 (December 12, 2023)

 

ANNIVERSARY #39

 

Life...

ANNIVERSARY #41 - DAVAO

This was our 3rd time to visit Pearl Farm... and it's still as special as the first time... 

Anniversaries 32 & 33

                                                     

                          

Aging Gracefully (1 & 2)...

Old age, I decided, is a gift.

I am now, probably for the first time in my life,

the person I have always wanted to be.

Oh, not my body!

I sometimes despair over my body -

the wrinkles, the baggy eyes and the sagging butt.

Often I am taken aback by that old person who lives in my mirror, but I don't agonize over those things for long.

I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less grey hair or a flatter belly.

As I've aged, I've become more kind to myself and less critical of myself.

I've become my friend.

I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie,

or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need,

but looks so avante-garde on my patio.

I am entitled to overeat, to be messy,to be extravagant.

I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

Whose business is it if I choose to read until 4:00 am and sleep until noon?

I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 50s & 60s, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love, I will.

I will walk the beach in a swimsuit that is stretched over a bulging body and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the bikini set.

They, too, will get old.

I know I am sometimes forgetful.

But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten and I eventually remember the important things.

Sure, over the years my heart has been broken.

How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, when a child suffers, or when a beloved pet gets hit by a car?

But broken hearts are what give us strength, understanding and compassion.

A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turn grey and to have my youthful laughs forever etched into deep grooves on my face.

So many have never laughed and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.

I can say "no" and mean it.

I can say "yes" and mean it.

As you get older, it is easier to be positive.

You care less about what other people think.

I don't question myself anymore.

I've even earned the right to be wrong.

So, to answer your question, I like being old.

It has set me free. I like the person I have become.

I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be.

And I shall eat dessert every single day.

Author - Unknown

Think about it, you have EARNED this face. Every line, a laugh shared.
Every wrinkle, a year survived.
Every age spot, a day that the sun shone on you.

Some women believe that as they age, they LOSE their looks. Oh my friends how wrong this is.
A beautiful young woman is a happy accident of nature but a beautiful older woman? She is a work of art.

The Japanese have a practice whereby they fill any broken objects with gold, believing that something which is broken has earned its beauty and should be celebrated and decorated rather than discarded.

I feel this way about women.

It took a long time to find out who you really truly are. A long time. The acceptance that old age brings is freeing. It brings with it peace and happiness. Everyone knows, happiness looks good on us all.

Your body has been changing since the day you were born and will continue till the day you depart. Ride with it, accept it, embrace it. Be amazed by it.
Allow your face to represent your life, your stories, your joys.

Why choose to be an older woman fervently chasing youth, when you could be that older women who knows what she is worth and has earned every minute of her hard-won self-acceptance.

The trick with ageing successfully my friend, is to pay as little attention to it as possible.

✨

Donna Ashworth
From To The Women: words to live by

December 12, 1981 to December 12, 2024

 

AND THEN, IT IS WINTER...

Time moves swiftly, often catching us unaware of how quickly the years pass. It feels like just yesterday I was young—just married, stepping into life with endless dreams. But now, I find myself in the winter of my life, wondering how it all happened so fast. Where did the years go? Where did my youth go? I remember watching older people, thinking they were so far ahead of me, their "winter" a distant concept I couldn't truly grasp. Yet here I am. My friends are retired, their hair greying, their steps slower. I see those changes in myself too. We’ve become the “older folks” we once looked at with youthful eyes, never imagining we’d be here so soon. These days, small tasks like taking a shower feel like major accomplishments. Naps are no longer indulgences—they’re necessities. If I skip them, sleep finds me anyway, wherever I happen to be. This season of life brings its own challenges: the aches, the loss of strength, and the realization of dreams left undone. Yet, I know this isn’t the end. When winter here is over, another adventure awaits beyond this life. Yes, there are regrets—things I wish I’d done differently—but there’s also joy in the memories of the life I’ve lived. It’s all part of the journey. If you haven’t reached your winter yet, let me offer this advice: It arrives faster than you think. Don’t wait too long to do the things you dream of. Life passes quickly. Say what you want to say, do what you want to do, and let the people you love know how much they mean to you. "Life" is a gift, and the way you live it becomes your gift to those who come after you. Make it a beautiful one. LIVE WELL. LOVE MUCH. LAUGH OFTEN.
Enjoy each day to its fullest, because today is the oldest you’ve ever been, yet the youngest you’ll ever be. Some reflections on this stage of life: Your kids are becoming you. Going out is fun, but coming home is even better. You forget names—but it’s fine, because others forget they ever knew you! The things you once cared about no longer matter, and you care more about not caring. You sleep better in a chair with the TV blaring than in bed. You miss the simplicity of an "ON" and "OFF" switch. Everything in stores seems to be sleeveless now. Freckles have turned into liver spots. Everyone whispers. Your closet holds three sizes of clothes—two of which you’ll never wear again. But aging has its blessings: old songs, old movies, and most importantly, old friends. Stay well, my old friend. Life isn’t about what you gather, but what you scatter. It’s about the love, kindness, and laughter you share. Live happy. Scatter joy. Embrace today.

I’ve teeth that stick out just a little too far

I’ve marks on my body where I’ve gathered scars

I’ve parts of my person that wobble and shake

I’ve imperfect skin on my imperfect face

My hair’s hard to manage - it’s coarse and it’s thick

I’ve stripes on my waist, on my belly and hips

I’ve lines on my forehead and some round my eyes

I’ve dimples and dents that now live on my thighs

And I used to hide, I got used to concealing

I knew all my angles and how I should breathe in

But all of the scars are the times I’ve derailed

And got back on track and lived, telling the tale

The lines on my forehead and those round my eyes

Tell the stories of times that I’ve laughed ‘til I cried

And all of the inches and stripes on my hips

Are from carrying, growing and birthing my kids

My dimply thighs that all wobble and shake

Are the times I’ve said yes to the chocolate and cake

The times I’ve decided a moment means more

Than hiding and shrinking like I’ve done before

See I’m happy and healthy and that is what matters

Not whether I’m scarred for I’m thinner or fatter

‘Cause life is a rollercoaster to ride on

It’s here for us all to enjoy not to hide from

It isn’t a dress size or holiday snap

But moments in time that we’ll never get back

So let’s not spend moments that we can’t replace

Concerned with our bodies, our hair and our face

And let us embrace all the life that we’ve lived

Our bodies are breathing - and that is a gift

*******

Becky Hemsley 2022

 

SOOOO true!!!

 

 

Auntie Rhoda Pepito

 At 3:08 this morning, December 6, 2024, i received a message from my cousin Lisa Pepito Caronongan that her mom, my Auntie Rhoda, my Dad's sister, had passed. She had been on dialysis for many years and although I'm glad she's no longer suffering, i will miss her. i had planned to see her in February 2025 before Dan and I would fly back to the States, but God had other plans. 

Now that i'm almost 70, more and more people whom we knew personally are passing on. I know that's the pattern of our life here on earth, but it doesn't make it easy for those of us who are left behind.

Our biggest comfort, however, is that they are now whole and are with the Lord Jesus. What a wonderful reunion Auntie Rhoda must have had with her parents, especially her father who died when she was only 2, and my Dad! It is also a great comfort and encouragement to know that, as Christians, we WILL see them again someday when it's our turn to leave this earth and be with our Lord and Savior forever. 

The Twelve Days of CHRISTmas

 

Psalm 23:4