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. We've defied 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. Their overwhelming response and attention are something I would be grateful for. 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 in times of pandemic. We can't afford to die and 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 looking back on the good things that have happened for the entire 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. 

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

©️ 2021 Del Cusay

Related Post:

👉 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 suddenly we feel sad about untoward events such as 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 a candle lighting on a dark Christmas night. 

That was my first experience of a stormy Christmas. Since my childhood days, the Christmas season was 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 to become 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.

After the typhoon, the devastating situation continues. 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.

Christmas day is approaching. We help affected countrymen in any way possible to lift their spirits and for them to feel loved and cared for. We feel connected as a nation in times of calamity, and we feel the suffering of others because we've experienced it and know how it feels to be a victim of a catastrophe.

This Christmas is about our optimistic hopes and wishes for everyone to become more resilient. To rise again despite the struggles and suffering brought by a calamity. Hoping that people will still remember the essence of celebrating Christmas and putting even a little smile on their faces. 

This Christmas is about expressing our gratitude. No matter what happened, we're still thankful to the Divine for the good, the bad, and the worst experience that has shaken our lives. 

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 and colorful Christmas trees with sparkling lights make us feel good as they bring back memories of celebrating the yuletide season.

It would be a better Christmas season than the past two years when the threat of Covid-19 brought us fears and anxieties. 

This year's Christmas season feels different as people would visit any place where they would 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 Christmas in 2019 and 2020. That was fun and made lasting and great memories worth reminiscing.

We always look forward to a Merry Christmas. It's the happiest time of the year as we live each day with joy before the year ends.

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

We wish for a meaningful celebration with our loved ones. Our family will always be one of the reasons why we keep holding on and not giving up despite all the odds. We keep our 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.

I love how my sister made her dream sky garden come true. She made their roof deck great for family gatherings, weekend fun, and relaxation. 

The sky gardens' al fresco vibe is what we like most. It's an excellent place to unwind and celebrate special days and other occasions. It's cool and windy on some days, especially during Christmas. 

Green space at home is what we need to be connected to nature even when living in City. Coming from a province where wildlife is abundant, I often miss being in a more natural environment. To be surrounded by more trees and flowering plants make me happy. However, in the City, we can feel attached to nature simply by creating our little oasis.

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 would feel 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

Related Post:

👉 Sunday's Best at Lilia's Sky Garden

👉 Coffee in the Sky Garden