Why are you happy?

If you were asked the question above, what’s the first thing you would say?

My son was not one to pass up a chance to write on a message board located at the lobby of The Medical City, with the iconic yellow smiley on top together with the phrase: “I am happy because…” It invites passersby to share and write why they are happy.

I think the message board (not sure what to call it) creates a positive energy in a hospital setting. The initiative is led by the hospital’s Psychiatry Department as I have so intelligently guessed from the logo. Haha! I will not venture into the background or the details, I just wanted to share some of the answers that some hospital staff, doctors/interns, patients and visitors gave, starting with my own son’s heartwarming answer:

I am happy because:

Topmost answer: ...my mom  really loves me.

Cheesy:

1. someone loves me for who I am.
2. I finally met my special someone after 27 years.
3. I saw him.
4. I’m in love.
5. I’m free.
6. I got chocolates from Bry.

God-centered:

1. God gave me my baby.
2. I’m alive.
3. I’m blessed.
4. God is always taking care of me.
5. I have God.
6. everyday Jesus loves me.
7. I am saved and loved by God.

Basic:

1. of coffee.
2. it’s lunch time.
3. I am busog. Hehe!
4. today is a good day.
5. I just had a massage yesterday.

Family/Christmas:

1. I had twins.
2. I have a strong dad.
3. I’m with my family.
4. I get to spend Christmas and New Year’s with my family this year.
5. it’s Christmas time.
6. I’ll be home for Christmas.
7. the year is almost done and I have so many blessings to be thankful for.

Self:

1. I am being me.
2. I am where I want to be.
3. I am healthy.
4. I am a Filipino.
5. tapos na sa residency.
6. I am done with OB.
7. of a fruitful internship year.

Super Typhoon Yolanda: ...many are helping the Yolanda victims.

***

Positive questions promote positive thoughts. I loved the idea of this "I am happy because..." thingy. It's at once thought-provocating and a subtle "jerker" to remind that, hey, there are far many reasons we ought to be feeling happy instead of gloomy.  

If asked why I am happy, my ready answer could all be found in this picture:

How about you? Please make me happier by sharing in comments why you are happy at this very moment. I'd love to hear from you. This is my first attempt to engage my handful of readers in a conversation. Hope you would be kind and happy to oblige. I only ask from you two words at the least to complete "I am happy because ___________."  :-)

Inspired by the Trees - Reflecting on Illness and Life

I love the feel of soft breeze on my face. These trees are such a refreshing sight. They remind me that life is a miracle. These trees have grown majestically through the years, reaching out their branches to the sun, forming leaves of myriad shapes, sizes, and textures. They grow faithfully according to their kind, from the seeds from which their little life first sprouted. It’s amazing when you think of it. And it’s wonderful to be blessed with the ability to see and appreciate them.

I’m going a little sentimental here, I know. It’s wonderful to be alive. I underwent a minor operation last Tuesday. I was having second thoughts writing about it, but this immense feeling of thankfulness that has hit me this moment prods me to reflect.

Many of you in my small circle of friends know that I have undergone two surgeries. They were technically brain surgeries as neurosurgeons accessed my brain to remove a benign pituitary tumor. My first surgery in 2007 failed to yield a 100% success rate, so I had to go under the knife again in 2009. The last one was a big success, thank God. I remain in remission, and I pray the tumor never recurs.

The operation I just had was done to remove nasal adhesions, a complication of the two previous surgeries. It was a minor procedure but it was still performed with me under general anesthesia. For the past week, I had a nose pack on to ensure that the nasal parts do not come in contact again. Today, I can again freely breathe, and I feel just wonderful!

Going under the knife is naturally scary. It jerked me off my state of complacency and nudged me back to reality – that life could end any minute. I was already a mother the first time, and as I was being wheeled into the operating room, all I could think of then was that I had a son. My prayer was not so much for me but more for my son. I was afraid to leave behind a 4-year-old boy (Garrett). I prayed hard I would be given a chance to live a full life to take care of him and see him grow.

On the second surgery, not only had I Garrett to think of – there was my daughter (Gabee), too, waiting for me to come back home. I had the surgery done in Singapore as chances of success were far better there given their advanced technology and more experienced neurosurgeons handling cases like mine. My husband accompanied me for two weeks, and saw me through two hospital confinements at Mount Elizabeth Hospital.

We went home on September 26, 2009 when Typhoon Ondoy (international name: Ketsana) had just inundated major parts of Metro Manila and nearby provinces. I came home healed, but amidst that epic flood that claimed unbelievably a great number of lives in just a matter of hours. It then hit me that life was indeed precious, and could be taken away just like that.

Like the trees that surround us, their Creator willed them to be such, the great Conductor to which their leaves and branches sway at His compass.

But unlike the trees whose growth is defined, we are given a hand in conducting our lives. Each day presents us an opportunity to grow according to His will.

My mission in life is clear. I am to nurture two creations to become as beautiful as they can be, to be as majestic as these trees. And I have realized that I can do that only through His grace and will.