IT'S THE SMALL THINGS
I was blessed to be hit by the opposite of birthday blues this year. What I choose to call birthday bliss came upon me as I had early and extended celebrations of sorts. It has been four years since I last celebrated my birthday in the Philippines, and that last time was 2020. Prior to that, I had last celebrated in 2016 as I was traveling in 2017, 2018 and 2019. My days leading up to, and the weekend after my birthday was dinner clad. Though tiring, it was great to be able to welcome 34 (especially after the amazing year 33 was) with friends near and dear, most especially those who share in faith and prayer.
On the day after my birthday this year which happened to fall on first Friday, I was so blessed to be able to have the pilgrim image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia visit my parents' home. I celebrated mass with dear ones who share a devotion to Our Blessed Mother, and who revel in the power of prayer. It was solemn and intimate. But more importantly, it was food for the soul and fuel for the spirit that I did not know I needed.
Mama Mary’s birthday is three days after mine, and as the years go by, her presence in my life has become much stauncher and more significant. Many instances in the recent past has proven not only the power of her intercession, but of praying to her. I have a Marian baby boy who was unexpectedly born (albeit prematurely) on the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes, a month early. Although the circumstances were quite harrowing at the start, he still has turned out to be not only my biggest blessing, but also my greatest miracle. He was a test of faith that reminds me everyday that Our Lord is merciful to those who are faithful.
Somehow, no matter where, I find myself led to her on my birthday.
Last year, I fondly recall spending the morning of my birthday in thanksgiving at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. A few hours before, I had found out that my baby was a boy, and I had just received the results of my pre-natal testing which told me that my baby was negative for all genetic and chromosomal abnormalities and disorders. I remember fervently praying every time a cloud of anxiety would come about me, and getting the good news the morning of my birthday truly put me in a celebratory and grateful mood.
This year, priests who I work closely with in Bicol and have come to love asked me if I wanted to host the image at home and coincidentally it fell on my birthday weekend. Serendipity if you may, but I found myself truly blessed to once again be able to spend my special day with the most blessed mother of all mothers.
Happy birthday to us, Mama Mary! And may you continue to intercede in our lives and pray for us.