August 31, 2006

Ideal

Deuteronomy 24:5. “When a man is newly wed, he need not go out on a military expedition, nor shall any public duty be imposed on him. He shall be exempt for one year for the sake of his family, to bring joy to the wife he has married.” – New American Bible, Catholic translation.

I received this verse through my cellphone last August 15, back when it didn’t mean much to me – I was confident my wife knew the nature of my work more than anyone else.

Just the same, I kept it, maybe as a reminder of what is ideal.

The other day however, on my 31st birthday, while being surrounded by officemates singing birthday songs in videoke, something clicked and struck me like a horrible revelation.

I’m celebrating my birthday over two hundred kilometers away from my wife.

Only then did I understand, during the times I’ve been spending most of the time this month on field, why I get so much comments like “Buti naman hindi ka inaaway ng wife mo” or “Napaka-understanding naman ng wife mo.”

I know. I know.

Darn it.

I know.

Things are still changing, and I’m still learning how to view work and life differently. The old ways simply won’t do.

Right now, I'm just happy and thankful to be home with my wife.

I want these back

I can't recall the last time I doodled, and out of nowhere, this came out today during our flag ceremony. Okay, maybe not ou...