2021 Year in Review: Reunited in Love

It's been a year of surprises, meaningful experiences, and creating lasting memories. That's how I would describe the happenings in the year 2021. 

This is the year we fought hard to survive life's challenging moments. We've been breaking the walls that set boundaries, defying restrictions that set limitations. 

We've welcomed the year with a positive spirit that things will improve. And the first quarter of 2021 was a fulfillment of dreams and wishes. There were moments of fantasy-like experiences. Tears in our eyes, smiles, and moments of laughter make a rollercoaster of emotions.

A Great Family Bond

Family is love. That's how I feel at the beginning of the year 2021. A warm feeling that opens the heart and radiates light to everyone. 

Family is always there to guide and help along the way. I would be grateful for their overwhelming response and attention. I wouldn't be able to accomplish things alone, and with them by my side, it makes me feel relieved. I'm glad they're always there to the rescue when things aren't going well.

This year is extra special as I enter another chapter of my life. This may be the beginning of a more challenging life ahead. However, I look forward to more beautiful days as I envision what comes next and what lies ahead.

Lessons from the Pandemic

Covid-19 didn't hinder grand plans for this year. We've become more resilient and had increased willpower to push through what we have in mind. 

We celebrated birthdays and special occasions in a simple yet meaningful way. We traveled to places even on a short distance to spend time relaxing and unwinding. We spent our Soulful Sunday moments contemplating what life's about. 

Life shouldn't stop us from doing what we love despite our challenges. We've learned to adapt to the new normal and accept that Covid-19 will be part of our existence.

In mid-2021, we've done our part by being inoculated with the COVID-19 vaccine. It's a way of protecting our health, loved ones, and other people. It's wise to stay healthy during the pandemic. We can't afford to die, and we dare to survive this global health threat.

Christmas in our Hearts

I'm thankful to have celebrated Christmas with my family in my hometown. We may not be a complete family, but we feel connected. 

Christmas time brings us joy as we celebrate the remaining days of the year. This is when we're in a lighter mood as we look forward to a brighter new year. 

This year's Christmas may not be the brightest, but we can bring smiles and joy to other people who visit our home. This is our way of sharing something to give back for the blessings received. There are so many sad events this year, so it's good to bring back the smiles on each other's faces.

My "Year in Review" is about reflecting on the good things that have happened throughout the year. I'm grateful for all the life lessons, opportunities, and experiences that improved me. 

There are sorrowful moments, but I've learned to let go and move on. What's important is I've gained valuable insights for enlightenment and personal development. 

I am grateful to the Divine for the power, love, and light. I've made it this year and hope for the best as I welcome the new year with higher hopes and aspirations. I also look forward to another year full of inspiration.

©️ 2021 Del Cusay

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👉 Year in Review 2020: Overcoming Great Odds

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Christmas time is the most anticipated season of the year. It brings joy, fun, and laughter. It also brings lovely and magical moments as we celebrate the Year-end.

What happens when we suddenly feel sad about untoward events like destructive typhoons hitting the country just before Christmas? It's supposed to be a "Merry Christmas" for all, but the natural calamity destroyed people's joyful and peaceful Christmas vibe.

The last time I experienced a stormy Christmas was on the eve of December 24 in my hometown in the Visayas, a few hours before Christmas day. After celebrating the Christmas Eve mass, a strong typhoon left us with a power outage. It was supposed to be a happy "Noche Buena," but we had candle lighting on a dark Christmas night. 

That was my first experience of a stormy Christmas. Since my childhood, the Christmas season has been dry. However, with the effect of climate change, we'll be experiencing a wet and stormy Christmas. It's becoming more destructive year after year, and it has left more families homeless for Christmas.

On December 17, 2021, super typhoon "Odette" hit many Philippine provinces in Visayas and Mindanao. It has caused massive damage to properties and businesses. It had caused injuries and casualties. That's a sorrowful moment for those families who have lost their loved ones in celebration of Christmas.

The devastating situation continues after the typhoon. Many families lost their homes and suffered from power outages and a lack of necessities like food and water. That's prolonged suffering for those affected individuals and families.

As Christmas day approaches, we come together as a community to help our affected fellow citizens in any way possible. This is a time when we feel connected as a nation, united in our efforts to lift the spirits of those who have suffered. We understand their pain because we've experienced it ourselves, and we know the power of community support in times of calamity.

This Christmas is about our optimistic hopes and wishes for everyone to become more resilient and to rise again despite the struggles and suffering brought by a calamity. We hope that people will remember the essence of celebrating Christmas and put even a little smile on their faces. The resilience and strength of these communities in the face of such adversity is truly inspiring. 

This Christmas is about expressing our gratitude. Despite the challenges we've faced, we're still thankful to the Divine for the good, the bad, and the worst experiences that have shaped our lives. This gratitude is a powerful reminder of the strength we can find in even the most difficult situations. 

We have a shared humanity. Wherever we are, we think about the welfare of others and this time, we send them good wishes of positivity and recovery. 

©️ 2021 Del Cusay

It's Beginning to look a lot like Christmas

It feels like Christmas. The tall, colorful Christmas trees with sparkling lights make us feel good and bring back memories of celebrating the Yuletide season.

This Christmas season holds the promise of being brighter than the past two years, when the looming threat of Covid-19 cast a shadow over our celebrations. 

This year's Christmas season feels different, as people visit any place where they can feel the Christmas spirit and bond with their families for a short while.

I remember when we decorated our Christmas tree in our hometown for two consecutive Christmases in 2019 and 2020. That was fun and made lasting, great memories worth reminiscing about.

We eagerly anticipate a Merry Christmas, the most joyous time of the year, as we savor each day with happiness before the year draws to a close.

This Christmas is about our highest hopes that things will improve despite what we've been through for the past two years.

As we wish for a meaningful celebration with our loved ones, let's remember that our family has been a beacon of hope, a reason to hold on and not give up, even in the face of adversity. We have faith that Christmas will heal us and bring out the best in us.

©️ 2021 Del Cusay

My Sister's Sky Garden

It feels good when we have a piece of nature at home. It gives us serenity and peace of mind when we need a break or relaxation.

With the hustle and bustle of city life, we often feel depleted of energy due to chaos and pollution. Having a home garden gives off incredible and healing power to live our most remarkable life.

It's truly inspiring to see how my sister turned her dream of a sky garden into reality. Her roof deck, now transformed into a perfect spot for family gatherings, weekend fun, and relaxation, is a testament to the power of determination and creativity. 

The al fresco vibe of the sky garden is a perfect setting for family gatherings and celebrations. The cool breeze, especially during Christmas, adds a touch of magic to these moments, making them even more memorable. 

A green space at home is more than just a garden. It's a connection to nature, a reminder of the lush landscapes we grew up with. Even in the city, it's possible to create our own little oasis, bringing a sense of home wherever we go.

During this pandemic, everyone realized the importance of having a clean and green environment. More individuals and families are interested in plants and gardening. And they brought nature home, making them feel happier than before.

My parent's love of nature influenced my sister's interest in plants and flowers. They love to develop a natural place for a happy and healthy family. My mother also loves indoor plants and flowers, so she feels satisfied even when not on the farm.

My Sister's Sky Garden is an excellent place to celebrate Christmas with the family. The bonding and happy moments always create beautiful memories worth remembering. A joyous season worth reminiscing about.

©️ 2021 Del Cusay

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