A Multitude of Thanks

Last week marked the 24th year of my life. As always, I celebrated my birthday with gratitude -- alone, during my birthday dinner with my family, and on birthday lunchies/dinners with my friends (there are more to come next week!). I'm glad that this year, I celebrated my birthday and I continue to celebrate life with the ones that matter most. :)

It goes without saying that I am thankful to God most of all. And on my birthday, alone with Devil's Food cake and Tsokolate Eh, I wrote Him a really long letter. Now, I don't know about you, but I know He has time to read it. :)


04 October 2008

I sit here – exactly where I sat when I started my UP experience years ago – and I contemplate my 24 years of life.

Earlier, I drove through the UP grounds, shielded from the sun by the hundreds of acacias. Sunlight was peeking in small rays and the leaves were casting dancing shadows on the ground. All I could say was “Wow!” You have made it this perfect. I know that if I ever needed to find my self – I would find it here – with this sight. I felt at home.

When I parked at the Parish of the Holy Sacrifice, You made it rain. The wind was blowing fallen leaves and the rain was pattering quietly. Like my numerous other birthdays, You blessed this day with water.

Thank You for the sun and the rain. Thank You for this place. Thank You that I still appreciate these things – however small or insignificant.

I can still remember the time when I came to the church constantly – to pray for exams, to pray for a broken heart, to pray that I always return and remember where my faith was strengthened. And I return today – on this special day – to say a multitude of thanks.

















I cannot thank You enough for my family. With them, I find my strength, I spend the best of my days, and I will always remember love and laughter. Thank You for the unfailing love and support I’ve found in them.

Thank You for my friends. Whether I may not have talked to them for a long time or bug them incessantly on my love life or share wonderful memories with them – they are all my angels. You know I thank You for these angels a lot. My 24 years would not be as fun or colorful if it weren’t for them.

Thank You for giving me experiences to share with these loved ones and also for those I experience alone with You.

Thank You for giving me the opportunity to touch lives. I pray that I continue to touch more in the future.

Thank You for another year’s worth of sunsets – as the one I’m seeing right now.

Thank You for the work that you’ve given me. Thank You for letting me help others as others have helped me. Thank You for helping me through each challenge that I face.

Thank You for reminding me to take care of my health. Nothing is more important than the life You’ve given me.

Thank You for taking care of my family and friends as well. Everyday I imagine your angels guiding them in their paths.













Thank You for all the books I’ve read and the worlds I’ve been to because of them. Thank You for giving me the same gift. I will continue to write for your glory.

Thank You for afternoons in coffee shops when I continue to understand myself more.

Thank You for the places I’ve been to and the new people I’ve met. Thank You for holding my hand in each and every plane ride.

Thank You for easing my fears and for making me realize that I become a better person when I overcome them.

Thank You for sunflowers. I love them so much. I smile whenever I see them.

Thank You for giving me the opportunity to attend mass wherever – to worship and praise You with people I don’t know.

Thank You for holding him in your heart. I know he waits for me too. I know he will be everything I’ve dreamed of.

Thank You for beach vacations. I cannot tell you enough of how much I love the beach.



With this, Lord, I give 24 years' worth of thanks. I also lift up a whole life’s worth of thanks to You.

Mula ngayon hanggang sa dulo, Lord. Ikaw at ako. Mahal kita <3