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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider August at last

August at last

Published Aug 2, 2024 09:12 pm

IT'S THE SMALL THINS

alex eduque.jpeg

It is August. The last before the start of the –ber months, and what we know as the holiday season here in the Philippines. While people see August to be the ghost month, August to me has always been lucky – it is a month of transition of sorts. One that I feel lays the tone for the rest of the year to come.
When I was in high school, every new school year would start in August and perhaps this is why I associated it with new beginnings. It is the last month of summer on the other side of the world, and by next month, autumn is in full swing. Just like any day is as good as another, I feel like now is the perfect time to make shifts in life – let bad habits die, and make changes to unhealthy ways. You will thank yourself when the holiday season comes around, and find fulfillment in your decision.


This month, my son turns six months. It is bittersweet when I think about it from the point of view that in six more months, he is a year old. While I enjoy seeing him grow everyday and being able to interact with him more, there are certain days I wished a pause button existed and I could freeze him to keep him this small just a little longer. Time just flew, and truly, when it comes to your children, time is a thief. While the days were long, the months passed me by. I feel like I blinked, and he is now half way through his first year of life.


August is the birth month of my mom, and now that I am a mother myself, I have come to not only admire her role in my life even more, but to appreciate all the small things, and tidbits of extra care that I used to find annoying. This month celebrates the woman who gave me life, and who taught me to love life by counting even the smallest of blessings, and by being grateful for them.


Aug. 15 last year was when I first heard the heartbeat of my baby boy. And while it was not the smoothest sailing pregnancy, how serendipitous was it that it happened to be on the feast day of Our Lady of the Assumption? My boy who was born on the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes has indeed been a Marian baby from the get go, and will forever be heaven’s greatest gift. Everyday, he not only reminds me that the Lord is truly faithful to those who are merciful, he is living proof that miracles happen.


August is a month to appreciate the good, and get rid of the negative energy. It is about gearing up for the happiest time of the year, and remembering to count our blessings.

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