It’s been quite gloomy these past few weeks in the original home of my Ibaloy ancestors that currently goes by the name of Baguio. This gloominess I blame to the typhoons and the incessant monsoon rains with the sun playing hide-and-seek, only showing its face for literally minutes and even seconds at a time. Now you see me, now you don’t, it seems to be saying.
Unless you have a dryer at home, drying your clothes will need the patience of Job and the luck of the Irish. Even feeding our free-range chickens which I usually find therapeutic has now become a chore since I have to use a large umbrella or wear a raincoat or both to accomplish the task without getting drenched.
Admittedly, this near-sighted Ibaloy writer finds the long rainy months depressing at times, especially when the thick fog rolls in and makes it difficult and even dangerous to drive. It makes me wish to be magically transported somewhere else where the sun shines all the time (like maybe Greece and the South of France. He, he.).
Or maybe I’m just behaving like a typical human being who often thinks that the grass is greener at the other side of the fence.
Then suddenly I find myself amused seeing tourists (mostly from the lowlands, I believe) wearing short shorts and sleeveless shirts actually taking photos of the fog and even seem to be enjoying the rain.
It’s just a matter of perspective, I guess. Where I see only doom and gloom in the continuous rain and foggy weather, others see only a whole new experience as compared to the usually hot and dry places they are used to. To paraphrase or maybe even butcher a popular saying, one’s hell may be another’s paradise. Such is life.
Anyway, thanks to all those who offered their prayers for the quick and full recovery of my lovely wifey, Sarah, who suffered a life-threatening health emergency several weeks ago.
Thanks also to the doctors, nurses, and other health professionals who put the love-of-my-life “back together again”. Life is short and unpredictable, indeed. So, let’s try to enjoy it as much as we can. Just saying.
May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ continue to bless and keep us all safe.
May 5, 2024
