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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider Sisterhood of heart and spirit

Sisterhood of heart and spirit

There's Hope!

Published Dec 30, 2023 07:53 pm

GUEST COLUMNIST

GODDES HOPE.jpg

By GODDES HOPE O. LIBIRAN

 

Some siblings are connected with us by flesh, sharing one mother's womb. There are also those connected to us by heart, people with whom we have a deep affinity with as if we've known each other forever.


One sister, a kindred spirit, is my best friend Juliene, or Jules as I fondly call her. Even if we've only known each other for a few years, we've really become close and I consider her my confidant. I would say she's one of the few people I could trust for my secrets, and one of the few people I'd really take advice to heart.


I am touched when she says she wishes nothing from me except my happiness. She prefers to be low-key when it comes to celebrating our friendship and could be humble to a fault. Like, when I give her a present, she would feel shy about it—sometimes even refusing to receive it because to her, our bond is what's important.


Through my highs and lows, Jules is a comforting presence in my life. She's my safe space. But besides being a gentle soul, Jules is also a strong and feisty woman. She'll fight for what she believes is right and stands by the values she was brought up with. Having integrity is among the golden rules by which she lives by.


In 2019, her husband and the love of her life, Christopher, left for New Zealand to work. Christopher, who is hardworking, has since been assigned to work on various roles. When the pandemic struck, it was quite a challenge for the couple and their three boys because they were kept apart by travel restrictions. Recently, Christopher returned to the Philippines to fetch his family for life anew in New Zealand. They are scheduled to leave on January 2.


I've never been so thrilled and happy for Jules who is entering a fresh chapter in her life. For sure, New Zealand will offer great opportunities for education for their children and provide a much comfortable lifestyle and future for the family.


On the other hand, there's also a part of me that's saddened by her going away. I know I'll miss her presence especially when I retreat to Pampanga to spend weekends and holidays with my friends and family. Jules would always be her own one-woman welcome committee for me and we'd just bond as if we've never seen each other for ages. (Truth is, we catch up nearly every day online, face-to-face or by phone.)


Coming home isn't complete without meeting Jules. She always brings about a certain peacefulness and joyfulness in my heart. 


I know it shouldn't be a woeful occasion, but why is it that I feel a tinge of heartache? Perhaps because in the hustle and bustle of everyday living where we are accountable for tasks that are bigger than ourselves, it's rare and special to have a true friend who cares and genuinely understands your rawest being.


In Jules, I hold our gift of sisterhood as priceless. Though I have loved ones I deeply care for and who care for me in return, there is a particular spot in my heart that Jules fills up. It is that part where she understands my happiness and occasional despair as a woman for we are both mothers, sisters, daughters, and guiding presence to others.


Our friendship has always been about giving each other hope and strength to pursue our dreams and passions. Just keep going, we always tell each other, and our kind Creator will do the rest.


Jules, I'll miss you. I'll miss the physical closeness. Our coffee moments and adventures together. But I have no doubt that the distance and the difference in our time zones will never be a barrier to the beautiful friendship and journey we share. 


I wish you all the best, dear sister. May you continue to thrive. And let's schedule our online chats, okay? Now, I can say, I love you to the moon—looking over us in New Zealand and Pampanga—and back!
 

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Goddes Hope Libiran THERE’S HOPE!
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