After the heartbreaking news about how many lives were destroyed because of Typhoon Ondoy that struck the Philippine’s last September 26, 2009, I never realized  how still blessed I am and my family.  I have so much to complain about. But after that incident and seeing my Filipino brothers and sisters and how much they have suffered, the trauma, the pain of losing their loved ones and even their very possessions, I felt so small thinking that sometimes, I get so selfish because I only see the things that I do not have.  In fact, the mere thought, that Cebu, my hometown did not feel even a tiny threat because of the typhoon that struck the Philippines and destroyed hundreds of life is for me a miracle.  It was not by accident that we were not included.  It was bound to be.  Whatever the reason is, I dare not question.  Because of that, I was drawn to give not because I pity the victims but because I felt ashamed that I still have a lot when others has nothing left for them.  So I started cleaning up our cabinets.  My clothes though they are used but I choose those that still looks presentable, some clothes I still even can wear, but I got so selfless at that time that I did not mind.  My husband saw what I was doing so he also started picking up some clothes and setting aside those clothes that he would like to give.  I am also touched by his sensitivity that he also chooses the clothes that he still could wear.  I also grabbed some useable clothes from my kids and started folding them and placed them in a box.                                                                                                                                                                                                    And to my amazement, we were able to fill the box to the brim.

I felt so happy seeing how much we wanted to share.  Then I felt so small when looked at our cabinet and still saw a lot there.

Then, I realized how ungrateful I was.  I decided not to celebrate my birthday, which would fall on the 28^th, a couple of days after the incident.  Then, I said a prayer and thanked the Lord for everything that I have.  I am sharing this not because I want to boast because I have shared, I am sharing this because I want to let others know, that sometimes, we feel so unfortunate, but we just overlooked at things.   By the time we see people suffering, then that’s the time we realize that after all, we still are blessed because we still have enough.