《The Secret of Life》


 Chapter 1

    A young girl named Adna Loy grew up like a princess showered with love and care from the old maid aunts and uncles of her father. Adna¡¯s father, Gio, was just an ordinary man but had a strong appeal to young women. One of them was the mother of Adna, who came from a well-to-do family, but unfortunately, her parents died early. Adna¡¯s mother moved to a distant place where her older brother lived; and so she met the love of her life, Adna¡¯s father.


    Liza was just 15 years old while Gio was 19 years old. Their love bloomed at young age,and Liza and Gio became parents to Adna. When Gio¡¯s mother knew about the relationship, she strongly opposed. LIza and Gio lived together briefly. Few months after giving birth, Liza left. The aunts and uncles of Gio were so amazed with Adna and they took care of her. They treated her like a princess. Gio¡¯s aunt, Mom Rona provided all the needs of Adna. Her husband, Papa Mar had a nice job and was very kind to other people. Many visitors from other places came to their house specially during special occasions. Mom Rona and Papa Mar treated Adna as their very own child. They had two children but they died when they were infants. Their depression and loneliness were replaced with joy when Adna came to their lives. Aunt Feliz. Aunt Felip, and Uncle Mike were all looking after Adna. They spent most of their time with her because they also had no child of their own. Most of the time, they kept Adna within their sight forr fear that bad people can go near the young child.


    Aunt Felip always prepare delicious food for Adna. She also sew nice dresses for her. Mom Rona, Papa Mar, Uncle Mike, Aunt Feliz, Aunt Felip and Adna went out together to pray at the chapel nearby. After praying, many people came to Adna¡¯s house to share the food prepared for them. Most visitors noticed Adna¡¯s kindness. Her life was full of joy and love.


    When Adna started her studies, a servant waited for her outside to bring her home safe and sound. The servant was considered like a family member and they eat at the same time with her at the same table. Inside the classroom, Adna observed her classmates and then she gave money or food to anyone who needed it. Adna said ¡°¡®Come, this food is tasty, I am giving this to you¡¯¡¯. When she runs out of food and sees another classmate who has nothing to eat, she calls that classmate saying, ¡®¡¯Buy something at the canteen for yourself¡¯¡¯ and hands in the money to him. These classmates just say, ¡®¡¯Thank you Adna, you are so kind¡¯¡¯.


    Mom Rona had a small store at home. Adna would stay there and when an old man came to buy bread, Adna approached him and gave the old man extra money far more than what he paid for. Adna said to him , ¡®¡¯Accept this and buy something for yourself¡¯¡¯. The old man answered, ¡®¡¯God Bless you, Adna¡¯¡¯.


    Adna was never allowed to go out of the house by herself. She only met people when they came to their house who buy something or people who ask for help from Mom Rona and Papa Mar. One time, a company owner visited Adna¡¯s house. A good friend of Papa Mar. Adna was called by Papa Mar, saying ¡®¡¯Come here Adna, you can join the conversation¡¯¡¯. One time, Papa Mar said these words to Adna, ¡®¡¯Remember this Adna, you should not be ashamed to face anyone, even if he is a King. Few years from now, you will be much better than them. You must be good always, and if you commit mistakes, bow your head down and admit your mistakes.¡¯¡¯A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    Adna realized how much her Papa Mar and Mom Rona loved her. She knew, she would get what she wants. One day, Uncle Nick, younger brother of Gio arrived with Mom Rona, because they ordered a quadrosonic stereo. Upon hearing them, Adna insisted to buy a television set instead of a stereo. Uncle Nick explained to Adna how nice a quadrosonic stereo is. To their surprise, Adna replied, ¡®¡¯I want a television set and if you don¡¯t give it to me, I will jump off the bridge¡¯¡¯. Mom Rona took it seriously and just an hour later, a big television set was delivered..


    Mom Rona went to the nearby town to buy tobaccos and Adna was with her. A beautiful pair of sandals caught Adna¡¯s attention, so she never stopped telling her Mom Rona how much she liked it. Before they went home, her Mom Rona bought the pair of sandals. Adna took the sandals and wore it. While waiting for a vehicle home, Adna did not notice that her foot was run by the tire of a motorcycle. Adna told herself, ¡®¡¯I have a new pair of sandals, no pain, no pain¡¯¡¯. She never told her Mom Rona on what happened and she was so happy that when they reached home she showed her newly bought pair of sandals.


    Adna was told by her Mom Rona, ¡®¡¯I am going to buy tobaccos, you just stay at home¡¯¡¯. Adna, feeling bad about it, was thinking of what to do. When Mom Rona came home, she saw her stocks of tobacco scattered at her doorstep. Adna was never scolded by her Mom Rona. When Papa Mar goes walking on the bridge to exercise, he asked Adna to accompany him. They walked together and from time to time they stopped upon meeting some friends along the way. Adna told Papa Mar, ¡®¡¯Papa, will you buy a pair of rubber shoes for me?¡¯¡¯. Papa Mar listened to her and bought her a new pair of rubber shoes.


    On the other hand, Uncle MIke would always call Adna everytime he harvested ripe jackfruits and mangoes. One time, Adna was with Uncle Mike for a swim and went to a nearby beach. Adna almost drowned and luckily Uncle Mike was just standing near her. She pulled the short pants of Uncle Mike and hold onto it while catching her breath. When Uncle Mike knew what had happened to her, he was so afraid because Mom Rona, Papa Mar, Aunt Feliz and Aunt Felip would surely be furious at him.


    Aunt Felip, who is a good dressmaker, always give Adna beautiful dresses. She would also give Adna some candies everytime she comes home. One time, Adna asked her the candies, but she showed Adna her empty hands. Adna showed her sad face, then Aunt Felip then pointed her finger at the window where she placed the candies for Adna. She made sure that on Adna¡¯s birthday , she always buys her a birthday cake.


    Just for leisure, Papa Mar goes out to witness a cockfight at the coliseum. Adna excitedly waits for him because if he brings the largest bread for Adna, it means that Papa Mar has won. Whenever there is heavy rain, Adna worries about Papa Mar because he has to pass a flooded pathway. Adna was already familiar with the place. She would wear her boots, then bring the boots of Papa Mar. She waited for him until he arrives from work. Adna was never allowed to go out of the house by herself. When Papa Mar arrived and he saw Adna bringing his boots, he had his widest smile, instead of getting mad at her. The concern of a young girl for him was overwhelming and touched his heart. He knows Adna grows up with a good heart. She has a beautiful soul within which radiates to other people. ¡®¡¯What a beautiful life to have such a wonderful child of mine¡¯¡¯, Papa Mar talking to himself.


    ..

 Chapter 2

    During dinner, the foods were set at a long table.  Adna was specially sitting on  top of the table.  She loved to do that.  Papa Mar, Mom Rona and her siblings Aunt Felip, Aunt Feliz and Uncle Mike were sitting properly on their respective chairs.  Adna would tell the servant ¡®¡¯water¡¯¡¯.  Again, she would say ¡®¡¯give me water¡¯¡¯.  Papa Mar would tell her, ¡®¡¯Adna, always say please¡¯¡¯  It  was  difficult for Adna to step down from the long table to get water by herself, so she would say again ¡®¡¯water please¡¯¡¯


    After eating, Adna would always love to listen to the stories of Papa Mar of his experiences during the World War II.  They met new friends when they evacuated to higher lands quite far from their place.  Our family  servant was one of the children of his friend whom he met during the war.  Papa Mar then got his guitar and Mom Rona joined him in singing.  Adna just listened to them.  Then, Aunt Felip would bring Adna outside the house and told her ¡®¡¯Adna, I will teach you a poem.  Adna attentively listened to Aunt Felip.  ¡®¡¯When you say the poem, look up to the sky Adna and watch the moon¡¯¡¯,  Aunt Felip said.  The poem goes like this Adna¡¯¡¯;


    ¡®¡¯Oh look at the moon, it¡¯s shining up there,


    Oh Mother, she looks like a lamp  in the air


    One day she grows bigger, and shapes like an O


    And then she goes smaller and shapes like a bow¡¯¡¯


    Adna, looking up watching the moon, memorizing the poem felt joy because the moon truly exists.  The poem is telling the truth.  Aunt Felip told Adna, ¡®¡¯now I will teach you a song¡¯¡¯;


    ¡®¡¯Bunny, Bunny do not run away


    I¡¯ll give you grass and clover


    If you will only stay¡¯¡¯.


    Adna joined Aunt Felip singing the song.  Then Adna and Aunt Felip slept together on the same bed.


    Adna proudly goes to school, as she was wearing a nice dress, and wore a beautiful wrist watch. It did not mean she felt superior over other students.  Her heart still remained kind to others, specially her classmates whom she used to share her foods.  As time passed by, Adna showed good performances in school.  Many teacher admired her.  They never had a problem with her character and even her academic performance.


    Graduation came and Adna was very happy wearing nice white graduation dress with jewelries from Mom Rona and Aunt Felip and Aunt Feliz.


    Adna joined  an organization in the church, just a walking distance from her place.  A very religious neighbor brought her and assured Mom Rona that she would closely watch over Adna.  When Adna joined them, she was so amazed because the organization members were all adults.  No one was of the same age with her.  ¡®¡¯It is just like home¡¯¡¯, Adna said.  Adna recognized one of them was her teacher in Grade One.  One time, Adna joined them in an outing to the beach.  Mom Rona trusted Adna¡¯s companions because they were all grown ups and some are already old.


    Near the church was an exclusive school for girls in high school run by nuns.  Adna started to become active in the church.  At her young age, she started teaching children from different ages.  Adna loved to share her ideas and was a very good story teller.  The children loved Adna because she always gave them something to eat.  She became close to priests and nuns.  She was even convinced to become a nun.  During activities in school, Papa Mar was always present.  He was very neat and was always smiling..  Mom Rona was also very elegant and her natural beauty outshines other parents.  One time, the high school teachers of Adna went to her house to talk with Mom Rona regarding Adna¡¯s unfamiliarity and fear of being lost when school activity was in the next city.  ¡®¡¯Adna needs to be trained to go to a distant place on her own¡¯¡¯, the  teachers said.  Yes, Adna was allowed to go to the distant places but Papa Maar was with her to protect her from strangers.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    When Adna reached third year high school, an accident happened.  Mom Rona falls down on the floor and can hardly walk.  She became bedridden.  Adna was so affected with Mom Rona¡¯s condition.  Papa Mar also had eye problem.  He had to undergo an operation with his eyes due to cataract.  Adna took care of Papa Mar in the hospital for many days, and also made sure that Mom Rona¡¯s needs were provided.  Adna¡¯s joyful soul started to fade away.  She loved Mom Rona so much as well as her Papa Mar, too.  ¡®¡¯I must do something to help them¡¯¡¯, Adna said to herself.  At her young age, she started to get a job during summer vacation.  All her earnings she gave to Mom Rona.  Delicious foods were still served on the table from Adna¡¯s earnings.  Mom Rona was unhappy to see that Adna was already working to help them support their needs at her young age.  Mom Rona could not do anything because Papa Mar had been prescribed costly medicines for his eye operation.


    Papa Mar never gave up.  He sold his roosters in order to enrol Adna.  Mom Rona used to be with Adna during enrolment but this time Adna had to be on her own.  Before the school year ended, Adna had a mild heart problem.  The challenges in life were trying to shaken the family had not changed the love and affection for each other.  Adna finished High School from an exclusive school.  After her graduation, she rushed home and went straight to Mom Rona who was still lying on her bed, and Adna handed her Diploma.


    Adna enrolled in the best University in the next city, an hour ride from her home.  She was discovered to have a potential for academic honors.  Adna¡¯s thoughts were not whole.  Small part was in school and the biggest part was her Mom Rona.  Adna realized that she had to support the needs of her family.  She became a working student.  Her top priority was her family and not her studies.


    Mom Rona had two other brothers with many children.  One of these children is Adna¡¯s father, Gio.  Staying with Mom Rona were her unmarried siblings, Aunt Feliz, Aunt Felip, Uncle Mike.  To them, Adna is their only child.  Most precious child.  During Mom Rona and Papa Mar¡¯s difficult times, the two brothers together with their children wanted to take the properties.  They want all the properties because they have many children while Mom Rona, Papa Mar, Uncle Mike, Aunt Feliz, Aunt Felip  didn¡¯t have any offspring.  The legal battle began. Mom Rona was criminally charged by them and was arrested by the police when Mom Rona failed to File Answer to  the Complaint.  Someone helped Mom Rona and she was able to post bail. Mom Rona¡¯s two brothers and nephews including Gio and his new wife were so cruel.  They had no mercy considering Mom Rona¡¯s condition.  When the judge saw Mom Rona¡¯s condition, the Judge and lawyers of both parties went to Mom Rona¡¯¡¯s house where the case was held.  Adna made sure she can provide the money to pay for her Mom Rona¡¯¡¯s lawyer who defended her.  There were times when the case hearings were postponed, yet Adna needs to pay the lawyer.  It lasted for many years.  Adna was only 18 years old when many cases were faced by her loved ones, in order to squeeze and force them to surrender their properties.  They chose to defend their rights against their bad brothers.


    One night, inside the house Mom Rona still bedridden, Aunt Felip, Papa Mar, Uncle Mike brought Adna outside the house.  The lawyer was waiting there with some companions.  A document was brought by the lawyer and Adna needed to sign.  The properties were intended to be given to Adna because of their love and Adna reciprocate with love and serve them well.  All the support given by the young Adna was very much appreciated by Mom Rona,  Papa Mar, Aunt Feliz, Aunt Felip, Uncle Mike.  The lawyer told them that another name must be added in order to make the transfer of rights to Adna valid.  There  was no intention to give the properties to a distant relative other than Adna.  Believing what the lawyer said, Papa Mar, Mom Rona, Aunt Feliz, Aunt Felip, Uncle Mike, Adna and the distant relative signed the document with  two witnesses. One was the father of that distant relative and the other one was his friend who was a local official.  Adna did not give much importance to the properties.  The most important for her were her Papa, Mom, Aunts and Uncle.  To Adna¡¯s mind, ¡®¡¯ I grew up in a comfortable life, it is time to give back the comfort to Mom Rona, Papa Mar, Aunts and Uncle¡¯¡¯.  Adna made sure they would eat delicious food.  After eating,  the routine of Papa Mar to play his guitar and the singing of Mom Rona.  The joyful soul of Adna still radiates and did not fade away.  Her burning love for them had made her strong and determined to provide their needs.  Adna said to them, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I will never leave, I will always stay up to the end¡¯¡¯.  Mom Rona¡¯s leg was amputated.  She was confined January 8, 1986 at the hospital near the University where Adna studied.  Her leg was amputated January 11, 1986, then she died January 19, 1986.  Right in time Mom Rona¡¯s case was dismissed.  Adna asked Papa Mar to place the Court Decision inside Mom Rona¡¯s coffin. Papa Mar said ¡®¡¯yes¡¯¡¯.  Mom Rona brought the Court Decision with her.


    Four source inspirations still remain, Papa Mar, Aunt Feliz, Aunt Felip and Uncle MIke.  Of course, in mind and heart lives Mom Rona.  Adna continued to do her best joyfully to provide for them  The burning love within her has kept her on the go.

 Chapter 3

    Adna missed so much her Mom Rona.  She kept shedding her tears silently, hiding from Papa Mar.  She made sure they would not notice her so that they would not worry.  ¡®¡¯Mom, I miss you so much¡¯¡¯ Adna just kept  it only in her thoughts and feelings.  Every day, she went to the grave of Mom Rona  telling her about what  she did during the day, believing Mom Rona listened to  everything she said.  Many times, Adna noticed that she was the only person inside the cemetery, but she was not afraid.  She knew Mom Rona was with her.


    When Adna was 17 years old, she met a  gentle young man named Al who was almost 4 years older than her.  Al was her classmate in the University.  They were also workmates when Adna took some part time jobs.  Papa Mar made sure Adna was safe in coming home from work.  When Al visited Adna in their house, Papa Mar told Aunt Felip ¡®¡¯he is a good young man, he can be trusted with Adna¡¯¡¯.  ¡®¡¯That is my assessment, too¡¯¡¯ replied Aunt Felip.  They like Al, except Aunt Feliz.  Al is good looking and the perception of Aunt Feliz was a  half-hearted trust.


    She did not like Al.  When Al visited Adna,at night, Aunt Feliz brought water from  her room upstairs and intentionally poured water to Al.  The young man just did not say anything when he heard the loud sound of the door  of the room of Aunt Feliz, when she closed it.


    All of them were kind to Al, except Aunt Feliz.  During eye check up of Papa Mar, Al accompanied him to prevent Adna from being absent from her work.  He also assisted Mom Rona at home when he found time.  Al and Adna started their relationship in 1981.  He promised Adna, ¡® I love all the persons you love¡¯.  Their relationship focused on the same intention serving Mom Rona, Papa Mar, Aunt Felip, Uncle MIke, and including Aunt Feliz.  Giving to them unconditional love.  For over five years, Adna had seen that Al¡¯s intention was genuine.  Al successfully passed the challenges along the way, he never complained.


    During examination in the University , and when  Adna could not pay her tuition, Al borrowed money from her sister so that Adna could take the exams.  Good enough that Adna was exempted in all her subjects, there was no need to rush for the payment.  When Mom Rona passed away, Al understood the difficult times of Adna  where she could no longer embrace her Mom Rona.  When Al knew that Adna went alone to the cemetery everyday, he decided not to leave her.  He rented a small house near Adna¡¯s place.  Al¡¯s family favored Adna.  She was loved by Al¡¯s mother and his younger sister.  From time to time, they visited Adna at her house.  Al¡¯s mother was teaching High school students, a school nearby Adna¡¯s place. Papa Mar and Al¡¯s family became good friends.


    Al asked permission from Papa Mar, for him and Adna to get married.  Papa Mar said ¡®¡¯YES¡¯¡¯ to him. Al had his savings in a bank, which he set aside, for the wedding.  They just wanted it simple, only with family members as their guests.  Al¡¯s mother for sure would have many visitors, so they did not tell her.  One time , Al¡¯s mother  asked Adna and Al, ¡®¡¯what makes you both so busy?¡¯¡¯  they just  replied, ¡®¡¯we are applying for work abroad¡¯¡¯.  When wedding day was close, they already told her.  Al¡¯s mother asked them to postpone and make Adna a June-bride.  Adna replied, ¡®¡¯May is lucky, it is the month for flowers¡¯¡¯.  She added, ¡®¡¯we listed only twenty five guests, mostly are family members.  Al did not ask money from his family to spend for the wedding, but her sister sent Adna a wedding gown, a check, and instructed her husband to use the newly-bought white car as the bridal car for Adna.  The most important for Adna was her Papa Mar who would walk with her to the ALTAR, and her groom Al excitedly waited to receive her, with Papa Mar¡¯s blessing.  Days before the wedding, Adna went to the bank to withdraw, Al¡¯s savings for the payment of the restaurant for the reception.  Al¡¯s mother was also there.  The next day, Adna learned that the bank was robbed.  Adna told Al ¡°¡±we should be thankful to God, we can still pay the restaurant¡¯¡¯.  After the wedding, after opening the gifts they received from the guests,  Adna told Al, ¡®¡¯We begin our married life using the check of your sister, we are debt-free, we¡¯ll  use this as a small capital for business¡¯.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Al and Adna started a small fashion accessory business.  It was made of rattan wicker.  They went to local buyers .  Their vehicle was just a motorcycle, a gift from  Al¡¯s late father.  Adna easily gained friends from her buyer¡¯s staff.  Even the owner noticed Adna¡¯s sincerity and honesty.  One time, Adna approached the owner when she received the payment where the amount was doubled, she said, ¡®¡¯I have no money, but please do not tempt me.  The price is not per  piece, it is for per  of earrings¡¯¡¯.  Adna used to  bring food to the owner and they became close friends.  The staffs also came to the house of Adna, specially during birthday celebrations.  Adna got pregnant, and when she was in labor, she told Al that she would not go to a maternity hospital but instead she asked Al just to bring a midwife to their house.  Al knew, Adna had a heart problem when she was in High school, He was afraid of what would be  the result if he follows Adna.  He called his mother to convince Adna to go to the maternity hospital instead. When she arrived, she told Adna, ¡°¡±we would go to the maternity hospital where I gave birth to your husband Al¡¯¡¯.  They all went to the maternity hospital in the next city.  Al and Adna did not spend anything in the hospital.  Everything was charged to Al¡¯s older sister through her mother.


    October 30, same birthday of Al¡¯s late father, a beautiful baby girl with two dimples was born.  Her name is Lex.  Al was the happiest man on earth.  He is now a father.  On the other hand, Adna, after normal delivery needed to recover.  When they went home, among those who welcomed, specially the beautiful baby, were Papa Mar, Aunt Felip,Uncle Mike, and Aunt Feliz who proved herself wrong about her perception of Al and her unkindness towards him.  They were so amazed  with the beautiful baby girl, more joy at this time to see  their princess now a mother, bringing another princess into their home.  Aunt Feliz stayed all the time  near the crib of baby Lex, Aunt Felip took charge of preparing milk, Papa Mar singing lullaby..  Papa Mar no longer plays his guitar, Adna could no longer listen to him for being so busy , this time he sings for the baby.  Uncle Mike was just sitting quietly, as he was already hypertensive.  Al and Adna provided him all his medication.


    Baby Lex was so precious to them, even more precious than Adna.  All the time Papa Mar was with her.  Aunt Felip was never gets  tired of carrying her. Baby Lex had a Nanny but Aunt Felip was hands-on with her all the time.  Al¡¯s mother and his younger sister came to visit every day with lots of gifts for Lex.  They personally saw the love of Papa Mar to the child.  Lex brought back the widest smile of Papa Mar¡¯s face, same smile when he saw Adna bringing his boots patiently waiting for him when he arrived from work.  ¡®¡¯How beautiful it is  to see that the child we love so much is now a mother of an amazing child, giving another opportunity to watch this baby grow into a beautiful person like her mother, another beautiful soul¡¯¡¯, Papa Ma telling Aunt Felip.  Aunt Felip replied, ¡®¡¯¡¯ Yes it is true and again I would teach her the poem and song which I taught Adna when she was a child.¡¯¡¯  Aunt Feliz just nodded her head.


    Before the first birthday of Lex, on September 12, Aunt Feliz died in her sleep.  Adna and Al took care of everything.  The age of Mom Rona when she passed away was 76, this time Aunt Feliz just turned 79 after her last birthday celebration which was June 10.  ¡®¡¯Mom Rona has now a companion in heaven¡¯¡¯, Adna told Al.


    Papa Mar and Aunt Felip continued to nurture Lex with much love and affection.  She is now the new princess of Papa Mar.  The first birthday of Lex had a lot of visitors.  All of them brought gifts for her..  When she was christined, the god-mothers were Al¡¯s older sister, who came home for the occasion, and the younger sister of Al, Lex pediatrician who later became a politician, Adna¡¯s cousin who is  a lawyer.  Compared to Al and Adna¡¯s wedding, the celebration of Lex was bountiful.  Guests were not limited to twenty five people, which means it was not exclusive to family members only.  Truly, a true princess in Papa Mar¡¯s heart is born.

 Chapter 4

    Every third thursday of the month, Papa Mar  and Mom Rona used to welcome people to their house.  They prepared food for them.  Many visiting priests had come to their house.  Special foods were prepared for the priests.  As Adna grew up,  she was very close to religious people, more with priests and nuns.  When Mom Rona was gone, Papa Mar just went to the nearby chapel to join them praying.  He no longer thought of preparing foods for the people, he knew Adna would be distracted from work.  She had to catch up with the delivery dates for her orders. If she could not meet the deadline, a penalty would be charged to her.  Meanwhile, Papa Mar did not know why there were bounty of foods served  in the chapel after the Holy Mass.  Later, he knew that Adna assigned someone to prepare for the foods by giving money.  It was Al¡¯s idea to continue what they had been used to with the late Mom Rona and Papa Mar.  Certain  part of Adna¡¯s income must be shared to them, a form of tithes.


    As Lex grew, specially during her birthday, the house was still open for guests to celebrate with them.  For Adna, birthday is the most important occasion.  There must be ice cream, cake, balloons, fruit salad and many more.  Adna, during her teenage, joyfully watched Aunt Felip preparing delicious foods like beef steak, sweet and sour fish and many more.  Aunt Felip did not know Adna was learning from her.  Adna had no chores at home while she was growing up.  Everything was provided, some would say Adna¡¯s fingertips only get wet when she eats.  At home, when Adna was free, she started cooking delicious foods.  They appreciated her cooking, specially her husband Al and also Aunt Felip.  Her specialty was fruit salad and beef steak she learned from watching Aunt Felip when she was cooking.  Papa Maar said to Aunt Felip, ¡®¡¯It is now time for Adna to do freely what she loves to do¡¯¡¯.  Aunt Felip replied, ¡®¡¯She loves cooking, then so let her be¡¯¡¯.


    Adna met another local buyer for her fashion accessory business.  Adna transacts to the buyer, while Al was in charge of the production.  During delivery time and collection of payment, they both went together.  That was their routine for years.  Aunt Felip still took care of Lex.  They had ample time to witness Lex learn how to walk.  She is a joyful baby.  When someone was taking her pictures, she had her widest smile captured by the camera.  She shows her dimples when she smiles or laugh.  Aunt Felip would always dress her up as if she would go somewhere else..  Lex would always wear shoes or sandals.  Her colorful dress and red shoes made her more attractive.  Adna and Al bought her needs the best they could.  They brought her a walking doll, and a toy car where she could drive by herself.  During those times, the nanny looked after Lex with the supervision of Aunt Felip.


    Adna became pregnant to their second baby.  As Lex was turning three years old, Adna gave birth to a beautiful baby girl.  Her name is Azia.  During her pregnancy, Adna enjoyed staring at a big statue of Buddha in one of the Malls in the city.  Some say a ¡®¡¯maternal impression¡¯, the baby¡¯s eyes looked like Him.  Even the OB Gyne doctor really liked the baby, she even said ¡®is her father chinese?¡¯¡¯, Adna replied, ¡®¡¯so little percentage¡¯¡¯.  Azia had a chubby face, so fair complexion and so healthy.  When they arrived home, Lex was with Papa Mar, so excited to see the face of her younger sister.  Lex at her tender age showed her care for Azia.  Lex helped Aunt Felip in watching over the baby.  Papa Mar was singing lullaby for Azia, then Lex would laugh at him.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    When Papa Mar went to the chapel, Lex was so caring to him.  She held his hand to guide him because Papa Mar vision  deteriorated even if he was wearing thick eyeglasses.  When Lex turned 4 years old, they enrolled her.  Lex was a nursery student.  After which , Kinder 1 then Kinder 2. After a school year, Lex was promoted directly to Preparatory.  She needed to transfer to another school which was also the school where Adna was studying.  When Lex was a nursery student, Al and Adna were all the time waiting for her outside her classroom.  The class lasted two hours, then after, they went to the mall nearby.  Lex looked so beautiful with her school uniform with a little backpack.  Her preschool teacher liked the attitude of Lex.  Every time she came in to class, she always say something to her teacher secretly, ¡®¡¯Teacher, I have something to tell you, my godmother who is a lady doctor is on television¡¯¡¯.  ¡®¡¯Oh really, that¡¯s nice¡¯¡¯, replied the teacher.  One time a doctor came to the school to immunize the students.  Seeing the needle, most classmates of Lex were crying.  Lex did not cry, but when the doctor came near her, she said, ¡®¡¯ No, I have my private doctor, she is my godmother¡¯¡¯.  She lifted her two feet while sitting getting ready to hit the doctor if he comes  near.  ¡®¡¯I am going out to my dad¡¯¡¯, she said in an angry tone.  She took her small backpack and really went out of her classroom.  The teacher did not force her, what she said was true.  When Lex became a registered nurse, she asked her Mom Adna to go with her to visit her nursery teacher.  Upon reaching there, the teacher shouted with joy ¡®¡¯Lex¡­.¡¯¡¯  She still remembered that very young girl always saying something to her.  Lex embraced her and said, ¡®¡¯Teacher, I am now a nurse,,Thank you¡¯¡¯.  The teacher said to Adna, ¡®¡¯she still have the same glance in her eyes, trusting no one¡¯¡¯.  She then added, I had so many students, but when I meet them,  they do not even greet me¡¯¡¯.  Lex is one of a kind.  Adna said to herself, ¡®¡¯I have raised a good child and become the best person she could ever be, but I owe all these from Papa Mar and Aunt Felip¡¯¡¯.  Lex grew up as a beautiful person inside and out because of the overflowing love they poured to her.  Even though the late Aunt Feliz poured water intentionally to wet Al due to her dislike and mistrust, it did not turn Al to feel hatred...still he served Aunt Feliz both service out of love and financial support for her needs,, how much more for a young child who was poured in with overflowing love from Papa Mar and Aunt Felip.  Of course Mom Rona and Aunt Feliz kept watching her from above.

 Chapter 5

    Today, March 28, is Adna¡¯s birthday.  Last night after dinner, she prepared her ingredients for salad.  Al loves the salad cooked by Adna, jelly with mangoes.  This salad when frozen is more delicious than ice cream.  Early in the morning, Adna was wearing her new dotted red dress.  She brought foods with her in going to the church not so far from their place.  She would meet the young nuns, an old nun, a retired judge, and old couple.  The husband looked similar to Papa Mar, that is why this  couple are so loved by Adna.   Papa Mar died in October 1992, Twenty seven years already, Papa Mar had been physically absent in Adna¡¯¡¯s life, but certainly always present in Adna¡¯s mind and heart.  The wife of this old man still drives their car..  The old man was diagnosed with dementia , yet they still go together to attend  the Holy Mass in the church, where Adna would also be there every morning.   The old man is so neat, just like Papa Mar, and stands up with confidence.  He walks so slow by himself, so Adna goes to him to hold his hand and guide him to the bench where he used to sit with his wife.  Adna then goes to her place, seated next to them.  Adna also brought food for the retired judge, whom she would always meet in the church.


    The first who approached Adna, who was sitting outside the church were the young nuns.  Adna¡¯s eyes were busy looking for the old nun.   When the old nun came out,  Adna told the young nuns,  ¡®¡¯please wait, I will meet the old nun first¡¯¡¯.Adna left the young nuns and then went straight to the old nun slowly walking.  Adna said to the old nun, ¡®¡¯my birthday today¡¯¡¯, then she handed the foods to the 82 year old nun.  The old nun embraced and kissed Adna.  She was very happy to receive Adna¡¯s foods.  ¡®¡¯Happy birthday, Adna¡¯¡¯, she smilingly told Adna, and she said to the other woman near her, ¡®¡¯today is her birthday¡¯¡¯, and the other woman greeted Adna ¡®¡¯Happy Birthday!¡¯¡¯.  The old nun used to give Adna religious pendants, not only for Adna but including her husband Al, daughters Lex and Azia, and only son of Adna, Al the second.


    Adna noticed the retired judge was already standing, but when she saw the old couple, she went to them instead.  Adna gave the food to them, the old man who looked similar to Papa Mar smiled.  The wife asked Adna to sit beside her.  She brought a birthday card for Adna.  Usually, when there is a card, most of the time there must be money inside.  Adna said, ¡®¡¯please don¡¯t put money inside¡¯¡¯, but the old woman replied, ¡° this is just a souvenir, a 2 dollar bill¡¯¡¯.  Adna knew it took time and effort to buy specific card.  The card noted, ¡®¡¯FOR A VERY SPECIAL FRIEND¡¯, inside the card a short note was written by the old woman, ¡®¡¯a simple souvenir from us¡¯, which means from her and her husband who looked like Papa Mar.  Adna thanked them and she felt so much joy to think that they really prepared something for her.  Then Adna gave the food to the judge.  He was so happy and said, ¡®¡¯it is your birthday, Adna, but you always think of us¡¯¡¯.  Adna went back to the young sisters, one of the gave Adna a rosary, and a keyholder with the picture of their congregation foundress who was also a nun.


    Adna told Al about her beautiful experiences in the church.  Al was so happy for her.  She gave to Al the keyholder and the 2 dollar bill, she gave to Lex.  Adna started cooking again for her neighbors.  After cooking she personally brought the foods to them.  Lex bought two big chocolate cakes for her mom.  Written on the first cake, ¡®¡¯Happy Birthday, Mama. Love You¡¯¡¯.  On the second cake, ¡°Be Happy and Healthy Always¡¯¡¯.  Lex also gave her a Birthday Card, with writings in front of the card, ¡®¡¯LOVE YOU MAMA¡¯¡¯.  Then Adna read the writings inside.  From Lex, ¡®¡¯Dear Mama, Happy Birthday!  May all your dreams come true.  Love, Lex.  From Azia, ¡°Happy Birthday, Thank you for everything and for accepting me and for trusting me.  Love, Azia¡¯¡¯.  Al also wrote on the card, ¡®¡¯Happy Birthday DEAR.  Love you¡¯¡¯. Then at the bottom of the  card,  young Al wrote, ¡®¡¯Happy birthday, I love you mama¡¯¡¯.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    When the young Al was born in 1992 October, Papa Mar was already lying on bed. But when Adna and Al arrived home with the newborn baby Al, Papa Mar really got up from bed to close the window so that the sunlight would not hurt baby Al.  Few days after, Papa Mar died on his sleep with a smiling face.  Papa Mar had seen all the children of Adna.  Papa Mar was buried day after Lex birthday.  He still attended Lex birthday though he was no longer breathing.  Adna understood, that joy must always be above anything.  Birthday foods still bounty during that time.  Adna knew that it was hard for Lex that she could no longer see Papa Mar, day after her birthday.  But Aunt Felip gave her all to Lex.  She assured Lex, an intelligent young girl that she still has lots of love surrounding her.  Papa Mar would not completely leave her.  He would hear Lex when she would speak to him for anything she needs.  ¡°Papa Mar is just watching you, so must be good¡¯¡¯, Aunt Felip told her.


    Lex became a responsible sister to Azia.  Her good traits were because of Papa Mar¡¯s upbringing.  All the time at home, she was always with Papa Mar.  Aunt Felip gave most of her time to Azia.  The nanny of Azia was very caring to the child.  Azia was all the time neat, fragrant and all the time she kept carrying the baby.  She took care of the child like a real mother.  Aunt Felip really like the nanny of Azia, more than the nanny of Lex.  Aunt Felip was hands on to Lex.  When Lex was already in the Preparatory, an old nanny was in charge of her in school.  The nanny always wear her old clothes, not so presentable.  Lex told Adna, ¡®¡¯Mom, my classmates thought, the nanny is my mother, can you give her nice dresses please.¡¯¡¯  Adna took almost all her clothes and gave it to the nanny of Lex.  the neighbors were amazed of the new look of old nanny.  During activities in school, Al and Adna made sure they were always there.  One time Lex told her mother, ¡®¡¯Mom, when my notebook will be full, I will no longer go to school, I will just pick up empty cans and then sell.¡¯¡¯  Adna was surprised, only three pages were left.  Adna realized later, the two teachers in preparatory class were different.  One was very kind and she handled Lex in the first semester in the morning.  The next semester, Lex must attend another teacher in the afternoon class. It was  5 months in the morning and then 5 months in the afternoon classes.  The other teacher was not kind.  Lex saw how she scolded other students.  The first teacher whom Lex liked was quite similar with her nursery teacher in her school before.  The afternoon teacher was the reason why Lex no longer want to go to school, but in her mind she needs to write all the pages in her notebook before she stops going to school.


    Adna went to see the teacher and they discussed about Lex intention of not going to school anymore.  The teacher started to smile with Adna during their conversation.  The teacher adjusted to Lex, she started to show kindness to other students.  She had no problem with Lex, a behaved student and always did whatever tasks she assigned her to do specially copying notes from the blackboard.  Azia who turned 4 years old, was enrolled in the school where Lex studied as a nursery student.. Her green skirt with a white blouse with a tiny ribbon was her school uniform which complimented her very fair complexion.  Lex had a blue skirt and white blouse and a necktie, which really made her look so neat and very attractive.  Al and Adna stayed with Azia in school and then after class they would pick up Lex from her school so near Azia¡¯s school.  All of them just ride Al¡¯s motorcycle in going home which took them five minutes.  Of course, they were wearing helmets on their head.  Azia in front of Al, Lex at his back then Adna at the back of Lex.  The two children had fun riding the motorcycle with their parents.  When they reached home, Adna just checked their assignments and told the kids just to play or watch television.  ¡®¡¯No need to study, you spent long hours in school, all you need to do is play and enjoy¡¯¡¯, Adna  told them.  After eating, they played games or watched cartoon shows on television.  Papa Mar and Aunt Felip enjoyed watching the two girls so close to each other.

 Chapter 6

    Lex had so much fun playing with her sister Azia.  Her sister had asthma, so Adna and Al had a business trip out of town for one week, they decided to bring Azia with them.  Lex easily understood and she did not worry because Aunt Felip would be there for her and her younger brother Al the second.  Adna took older nanny for the young Al.  When they left, Lex promised she would help taking care of her brother.  Al and Adna were picked up by Al¡¯s older sister, the one who gave them check and Adna¡¯s wedding gown.  It was the first time of  both Al and Adna to be in that place.  Azia was so quiet and she just watched Al¡¯s sister driving the car.  It was month of September and Al¡¯s sister who had the second highest position in the company where she worked had her new assignment to another country the next month.  She wanted to bring Azia with her.  The first time Adna got so mad and she quarreled Al.  ¡°Azia is not a piglet that we just give to  her, if you would allow her to take Azia, then I will fly with Azia using a military helicopter leaving you here¡±, said Adna to Al. It was obvious to Azia that something went wrong between her mom and dad.  Adna would cry to insist Al should never permit her sister to bring the child with her to another country.  Good if it is only two days but it is not.  She would be there for two years.  Adna when she was young, she would always get what she wanted from Papa Mar and Mama Rona.  When Adna said something, Papa Mar would listen to her and Mama Rona took seriously everything Adna said to her.  Al knew about it, no way for him to go against Adna¡¯s will.  The next morning, Al¡¯s older sister told Azia, ¡°we will go shopping, buy everything you want¡±, then she gave Azia a card which she can use for payment.  Azia received the card and she was bringing the card with her all the time.  She was walking around to pick everything she would like without limitation.  Adna who was just watching her child suddenly got the chance to speak with Azia.  She told her, ¡°if you get many, then the police will catch you¡±.  Azia, believing her mother just picked a pair of ordinary slippers went to Al¡¯s older sister and she returned the card.  Azia told her, ¡°you pay¡±.  Adna went to the office of her agent to show her documents for exportation of her fashion accessory products.  They stayed long hours at the mall while waiting for Al¡¯s older sister to pick them up after her work.  Al and Adna had the chance to buy dresses for Lex and Azia and nice toys for baby Al.  They also bought prrsents for Aunt Felip,Uncle Mike, and the nannies of Lex, Azia and baby Al.  Adna packed all their things ready to fly home.  Adna did not thank Al¡¯s older sister.


    They arrived at night, Lex was so happy to see her parents and sister.  After embracing and kissing Lex, Adna carried baby Al.  All the presents were distributed by Lex.  Aunt Felip carried Azia whom she missed so much.  Uncle Mike just slowly clapped his hands in order to get the attention of the kids.  The nannies were so grateful to Lex who was so proud giving the gifts.  Then she played with her brother with his new toys.  They played on the floor,  specially the battery operated jumping lion.  They had so much fun.  Adna thanked God, Azia is with her.  After the long travel, Adna slept early with Azia beside her.  Al needs time to remove Adna¡¯s anger to her older sister and no doubt Adna includes him.  Al patiently wait until it subsides.  One time Papa Mar told Al, ¡°I really admire Adna, even if it is our sin but she has no hatred in her heart.  She would not speak  with you at first when she is still mad, but later she will be the first to come to you and talk again joyfully without discussing again what happened¡±.  Al just waited for that time.  He knew it won¡¯t take long.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    Here comes month of October, two big celebrations.  Baby Al¡¯s first birthday and Lex birthday.  The classmates of Lex are many.  Each one of them must receive foods after singing the birthday song to Lex.  The teachers also must join the students when they eat the foods of the birthday celebrant.  The biggest celebration would be in Adna¡¯s home with many guests.  Baby Al celebrates first on the 13th of October, then followed by birthday of Lex on the 30th of October.  Adna and Azia also have the same birthmonth.  March 17 is Azia¡¯s birthday and on the 28th of March is Adna¡¯s birthday. During busy preparations of their birthdays, Adna never forgot October 24 when Papa Mar was gone and October 30 also was the birth anniversary of Al¡¯s late father.


    Time had come most waited by Al, Adna now approached him saying, ¡°we will order balloons for bsby Al¡¯s birthday.  Al happily replied, ¡°Yes¡±.  They both went out riding Al¡¯s motorcycle.  At night many guests came, the workers of Adna told her that they almost run out of plates, fork and spoon.  Adna said, ¡° what is important is  that we still have bounty of foods.  Use the disposable plates, fork and spoon I bought¡±.


    When guests were going home, Adna told them to bring home some food for their family.  Almost all of them brought home foods for their family members who were not able to come to Adna¡¯s house.  Amazing, Adna never run out of food.  ¡°Adna is blessed because of her sincerity of sharing to others, not because she has good income this time but because of feeling fulfilled when she makes other people happy¡±, Aunt Felip telling the nannies.


    Adna knew Mom Rona and Papa Mar were watching over her.  When things seemed difficult for her,  Mom Rona and Papa made her a winner.  When she flew home with Azia and when the child listened to her, the battle was over.  Against all odds, I am the winner.  Thank you Papa Mar and Mom, I love you, as always¡±, Adna speaking silently to herself.

 Chapter 7

    ¡®¡¯¡¯¡¯What a nice day to begin,  with my whole family with me¡¯¡¯, Adna said to herself.  Back to  business, as usual.  Adna looked forward to celebrate Christmas.  She told Azia and Lex that Santa Claus would visit and bring gifts for them so they must be good.  Santa Claus would not give to naughty kids.  Adna told Lex to hang three socks and write what they would like to receive from Santa.  She told Azia to do the same.  Lex also wrote for baby Al.  Then Adna took their Christmas tree and started to decorate the different colored balls.  Lex helped her, she placed some decorations at the bottom part of the Christmas tree which she could easily reach.  Azia just looked at her father getting ready for the Christmas lights to make the Christmas tree more beautiful and attractive.  Adna was also thinking of buying early the gifts for the whole family and for Aunt Felip, Uncle Mike, all the workers including the nannies, some friends in connection with her business.  Adna and Al must prepare earlier to avoid crowds of people at the mall.  A big waste of time specially at the counter where many people would line up just to pay what they would like to buy.  Most of these people  purchase a lot.  It would also take time to wrap all these gifts, the one who would receive it should not know what is inside, it is a surprise.  Gifts should only be opened on the Christmas Eve.


    Lex told Aunt Felip,¡¯¡¯ I would ask Santa Claus crayons, beautiful notebook, pencils¡¯¡¯.  Azia also wrote silently.  Azia is not as expressive as Lex.   Aunt Felip just smiled.  I would also ask Santa Claus toys for baby Al.  Aunt Felip helped them place the letter inside the socks.  They just waited for Christmas time to come.  Adna when she found time, she would hide and wrap the gifts.  Some of the gifts already wrapped are placed beneath the Christmas tree.   Before Christmas time, Adna and Al found time to bring the kids to the mall to let them choose what toys they like.  Lex wanted a big teddy bear.  Al and Adna gave her a lot more with new dresses and shoes too.  Azia like stamps  with a disney character design.  Her parents bought her lots of new dresses and  pair of sandals too.  Baby Al had plenty of toys.  After they picked all that they liked, they go and eat ice cream at the food court of the mall.  Then they would go to another mall, to buy what they would like too.  When they reached home, they showed all what  they got to Aunt Felip and their respective nannies.


    Day before Christmas, the workers got their gifts.  Adna told them to go underneath the Christmas tree and look for their names written  on each gift.  Lex joyfully helped find their names.  Lex said to them, ¡®¡¯open your gifts, I wanna see.  Her mom told  her, ¡®¡¯Lex, they would open their gifts when they go home, they have to wait until midnight¡¯¡¯.  Lex just smiled and said to Aunt Felip, ¡®open your gift, please¡¯.  Aunt Felip replied, ¡®¡¯later, when you receive your gifts from Santa Claus¡¯¡¯.  Adna told the kids, ¡®¡¯you go to sleep first and when 12 midnight strikes, I will wake you up to open your gifts from me and your dad, and from Santa Claus, too¡¯¡¯.  Lex answered, ¡®Mom I would sing in our Christmas program before midnight¡¯¡¯.  Adna to her, ¡°yes, and we will also play games and I will give the winner money¡¯.  Lex replied, ¡®¡¯yehey¡­¡¯  They played paper tearing, the one who had the longest gets the prize, then statue dance, trip to jerusalem, when the music stops the one who cannot sit the chair is out,  and a lot more games.  The one who would participate in their short Christmas program receives money as her prize.  The kids really enjoyed as their mom and dad also compete with them in the games.  A big chance that their mom or dad receives the prize.  Lex tried her very best to win the game.  Azia had only little chance compared to Lex.   Aunt Felip and Uncle Mike just watched them.  They also have to wait for midnight to greet everyone a ¡°Merry Christmas¡¯¡¯.  The kids then went to sleep, but Lex were so excited waiting for Santa Claus to come and hand in their gift.  They wrote a lot for Santa and Lex knew that she is good, Azia is good and baby Al is good too.  Midnight came, Adna kissed the kids and her husband, and greeted them ¡°Merry Christmas¡¯¡¯.  She gave their respective gifts.  She also gave the gifts to Aunt Felip and Uncle Mike.  She kissed them and greeted them ¡°Merry Christmas¡¯¡¯.  Al did the same too.  They all open their gifts, not one gift, but many gifts to open for each of them.  Lex told Aunt Felip, ¡®¡¯where is Santa Claus, did he come to bring our gifts¡¯¡¯.  Aunt Felip replied, look at the door, he might just placed the gifts near the socks you hang. Lex shouted to Azia, ¡° come, there are three plastic bags, let us  see what is inside.¡¯¡¯  Lex read the plastic bags her name, then the other for Azia, then the other one for baby Al.  Lex saw the big plastic bags were full of variety of expensive chocolates.  She asked Azia what she received.  Azia showed her all the chocolates.  Baby Al too, received many expensive chocolates.  Lex told Adna, ¡®¡¯Mom, does Santa Claus know how to read?  I asked him big crayons, pencils, nice notebook but he gave me chocolates.¡¯  Adna just laughed looking at her husband Al.   Christmas after Christmas, they still write to Santa and still receive chocolates.  One time, Azia who was inside the house, suddenly went out,  I know who Santa is.  I saw mom and dad hang 3 plastic bags on the door.  Adna to her surprise said ¡°No Azia, Santa Claus is different from us¡¯¡¯.  Azia insisted, ¡°Mom I used the mirror from inside, and I saw you and dad bringing plastic bags¡¯¡¯.  Adna just laughed and so with Al and Aunt Felip.  They can not fool Azia.  She is very wise.  Azia told Lex,  ¡®¡¯  that is why when we asked something from Santa writing him a letter, he gave us something else, because Santa is mom and dad.  Every Christmas all expensive chocolates, because mom is very busy so she just bought all the same for the three of us¡¯¡¯.  Lex just laughed.This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    There were also old couple who really had nothing to prepare for  Christmas.  They came from the next city.  They were selling firecrackers before, but since it was declared illegal, they had to stop.  They just come to Adna and Al¡¯s house a day before Christmas.  Adna would ask Al to go with her to buy groceries for them.  The old couple just waited at Adna¡¯s house.  When Adna and Al arrived, they brought plenty of foods for the couple.  Adna handed the groceries to them with money as a Christmas present for the old couple.   Adna also prepared packs of rice for those who would come and ask for Christmas gift.  ¡®¡¯The spirit of sharing is the essence of Christmas.  Though Christmas is for children but in our hearts the old also deserve to experience joy during this season¡¯, she told Lex and Azia.  The two girls understood the kindness of their mom.

 Chapter 8

    When Adna had a license to export her fashion jewelries with the big help of her Uncle  Rom who was a lawyer in a government department, who wished Adna to become a lawyer like his two sons, Adna instead told him to help her instead in her business.  This lawyer had not met by Adna for a long time.  She only met him when Adna¡¯s mother came to visit her when she was 17 years old.  Adna¡¯s mother became so close to Al than her daughter.  Adna felt like a stranger to her, Mom Rona is her true mother for her.  Mom Rona who was so kind enough, with the permission of Papa Mar gave Liz a room in their house.  The room was the master¡¯s bedroom at the second floor of the house.  Mom Rona and Papa Mom stayed at the room supposed to be designed as a servant¡¯s quarter.  This became room for Adna and Aunt Felip, then for Papa Mar and Mom Rona.  When Liz came she was welcomed by Mom Rona and she stayed always at the original room of the couple.  Beside her room was the room of Aunt Feliz.  Adna was excited at first to see how her biological mother looks like.  Still motherly love which filled the heart and mind of Adna belonged to Mom Rona.  To her, Liz was just an aunt who visited her.  Liz told why it took her the longest time to visit Adna, because she lived abroad with her foreigner husband.  She had asthma because she could not withstand the very cold weather there, and when her husband who was a pilot died, she decided to come home without any intent of taking Adna away from Mom Rona and Papa Mar.


    Adna was already part time working at that time, so she could only spend time with Liz shortly at night as she was already tired from work then needed to prepare for her studies the next day.  The lawyer who  defended Mom Rona told Papa Mar to sue Gio, as he was already rich with good business whose capital was from  Papa Mar¡¯s retirement pay and using one of the land titles as collateral to his loan from the bank  Adna used to write the letter to collect the payment from Gio, but his new wife would hinder it to reach Gio.  If Papa Mar did not lend his money to Gio, then Adna could not have financial difficulties.  Papa Mar¡¯s dream for Adna was to become a lawyer.  It was the biggest mistake of Papa Mar that he trusted so much Gio.  Because Liz was around, the lawyer also told her to sue Gio for support.  Liz faced Gio in court, but then before the case was finished,  Liz died due to severe asthma attack.  Liz came from a well to do family, so one of them was his cousin Rom who was a chief in the legal department of the government.  Uncle Rom shouldered all the expenses, but they allow Adna to make all the decisions for her mother.  Adna would not stare to the face of her mother, she was afraid.  Unlike when Mom Rona died, she stayed all the time beside her bed kissing her and non stop talking to Mom Ron.  ¡®¡¯You said we will go home on Monday, and I will buy you a wheelchair, but why?  I thought and believed you will go home alive, not dead¡¯¡¯, Adna talking to Mom Rona.


    Uncle Rom had a law office with his two sons who were also lawyers.  He told Adna you can work at my office as our secretary.  Al use to visit Adna in the office so that they can just walk to the University, but Al has to walk alone, Uncle Rom who was also a professor in the same University would bring Adna with him riding his car.  Uncle Rom¡¯s character was similar to Papa Mar¡¯s character so he gained the trust of Adna.  When his sons would ask something from him like office supplies, it would take time, but when they let Adna asked what they need, Uncle Rom gave it right away.  The two second degree cousins of Adna were starting to compete who would become closer to her.  The younger one became successful.  He would ask tire for his car, even money to pay for the parking area near the office.  He even include his cigarettes as part of the office supply.  Adna received allowance from them.  One time, Uncle Rom noticed Adna did not talk about her class schedules.  Adna did not enrol because Mom Rona¡¯¡¯s condition had became worst.  Uncle Rom gave Adna money so that she could be a late enrollee.  Adna at her school department took insertions of all her subjects.  One of her classes, where the professor was a lawyer, Adna came late so she was not able to get a chair from another room, Adna would just ask him questions about politics which was the favorite topic of the professor.  Then Adna told him ¡®¡¯Sir, may I use your chair,  it is hard for me to be standing for one hour¡¯¡¯, then the professor took his chair and asked one of Adna¡¯s male classmate to bring the chair to Adna.  The professor was just half sitting and half standing on his table.  Adna became a favorite student to him.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    Adna¡¯s academic performance was fascinating.  All of her subjects gave her good grades, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, which exempts her from taking the mid-term and final examinations.  Because she enrolled with underload subjects, she was not qualified for academic scholarship which would give her the benefit of a free tuition fee.  There were times when Al had to borrow money to pay her tuition without a need to rush for Adna was exempted in the examinations.  If Adna was not exempted, the permit had to be shown and signed by the professor for each subject and permit would not be released if not fully settled.  A receipt of the payment was strongly required to obtain a permit.  In Adna¡¯s situation, she could present and have it signed later.  Adna then realized why Uncle Rom really treated her like a daughter.  It was because, his eldest daughter who was a professor in the same University died.  Adna had the privilege to bring back the joy of Uncle Rom as Adna was allowed to talk anything and everything under the sun to him.  There were times when Uncle Rom would look at the mirror, then he would ask Adna, ¡°am I good looking?¡¯  Then Adna would answer,  ¡°you look more good Uncle if you wear the eyeglasses with gold frame¡¯¡¯.  Then Uncle Rom would go inside his office and when he comes out with his attache case, he already wears the eyeglasses, Adna would want him to wear.


    One time,  Adna and Al bought a small motorcycle.  It was not brand new so when it was checked by the traffic officers, it was impound.  Al was so worried, that time Adna was not with him.  When Adna knew about what happened,  Adna called Uncle Rom.  When Uncle Rom answered his phone call, he told Adna that he still hosted a Christmas party.  Adna insisted, ¡®¡¯Uncle you need to come, we are now in the office of the traffic officers at their camp¡¯¡¯.  In less than 30 minutes,  Uncle Rom arrived, he went directly to the office of the head of the traffic who was a Colonel, he showed him his calling card where he was the head of the legal department, Adna was with him and he told the Colonel, this is my niece.¡¯¡¯, the Colonel smiled and they shaked hands, meaning of friendship, then called one of his men and said to him, ¡®¡¯release the motorcycle¡¯¡¯.  Adna knew deep in her heart how she is being loved by Uncle Rom, just like how she is loved by her Papa Mar.  Uncle Rom told Adna one time, ¡®¡¯you must become a lawyer, who will protect you when I am gone?¡¯¡¯  Uncle Rom also became one of the godfathers of Al the second.   He assessed Al could not provide well Adna¡¯s needs, he did not stop helping Adna.  As the fashion accessory business was seasonal, not whole year round, he would welcome her to come to his office and work.  Papa Mar was so grateful to him.

 Chapter 9

    The local buyers of Adna were informed that she already had the license to export her fashion jewelries, but they asked Adna to accept orders from them.  One of them had so many orders that had only one week time as its due date.  After Adna completed the delivery, another order came much bigger in volume.  This time given was  one month as its due date.  It was difficult for Adna to cope up with the due date but she tried her very best and with the cooperation of her workers she was able to deliver on time.   The same buyer ordered the same items with the same quantity which Adna finished in one month, but this time Adna was just given one week as its due date.  Adna could not say no and had to accept the orders.  Adna and Al worked day and night, with very little sleep.  Adna promised her workers that after they complete the orders.  they will go to the beach and those who would like to watch movie, Adna would give them a break and let them watch movies.  Adna wanted to treat them all. Though it was too hard for them, but they made it.  The orders were completed in one week.  Adna, as promised scheduled their outing to the beach, some workers of Adna lived in the place with a beach nearby.  They had fun, all the children, Lex, Azia, and Al the second were with them, together with their nannies.


    They had plenty of foods, and one of the workers asked Adna to go their farm.  She wanted to give Adna young corns for her to bring home.  Adna went with her, and it was a long walk.  When they reached the farm, the father of the worker said, that the corn was too young to harvest.  Adna just returned to the beach accompanied by the worker.  Adna was told by the nanny of Lex that the pair of earrings of the child was lost.  Al tried to find, but Adna said to Al, ¡®¡¯never mind, we will just buy another earrings for Lex¡¯¡¯.  In the afternoon, they already left the beach resort as to reach Adna¡¯s home a bit earlier.  Aunt Felip, and Uncle Mike did not come with them.  They just stayed at home, and just reminded Adna to always keep an eye to the children, Lex, Azia and Al the second. They arrived quite early, so Adna told Al that they buy the materials they needed for the ongoing orders.  They left the kids to Aunt felip  with their respective nannies.  After they bought the materials, Adna was back to work.  The workers as promised by Adna had their break from work.


    Adna then went to sleep, but then suddenly she had heartburn.  Al , who was still awake told Adna that they need to go to the doctor, but when he looked at his watch it was almost midnight.  The clinic of the doctors most of the time were closed until  6:00 in the evening.  When Adna started to vomit and when Al ask her to stand up, she could not stand up straight, Al decided to bring Adna to the hospital in the next city.  Al went to Aunt Felip and told her he would bring Adna to the hospital.  He told Aunt Felip not to tell the kids specially Lex, who easily worries.  It was early Monday morning, and Al stayed with Adna in the hospital.  Adna suffered too much stomach pain, but no medication was given, only dextrose.  Adna always asked for pain reliever, but she was not given.  ¡®¡¯If we were at home, I could buy pain reliever at the nearest store¡¯¡¯, she told Al.  Adna then told Al to call the priests and nuns to pray for her.  One of the priests came with some of Adna¡¯s friends, but when he asked where Adna¡¯s room was, he was informed that Adna was already out.  Adna instructed Al to inform Uncle Rom, and after they knew Uncle Rom called the hospital and Adna was already taken cared of.  Many doctors came in and asked Adna so many questions.  Adna did not like to reply.  One young male doctor came in and then he pushed the abdomen of Adna using his fingers.  Adna felt severe pain manifested by her not so loud shouting.  The doctor said to some nurse attendants, ¡®¡¯ she is too young, let¡¯s save her, this is a ruptured appendicitis, hurry go and prepare the operating room¡¯¡¯.  Adna was supposed to be the 17th patient scheduled for operation, but the young doctor insisted to have Adna in the operating room first replacing the 16th patient.  Al called their local buyer and asked the name of their surgeon doctor.  He was the one who operated Adna with the assistance of the young doctor who wanted to save Adna.  After the surgery, Adna was brought to her semi- private room.  There were other patients in that room.  When Adna was already in the recovery room, she had difficulty breathing.  She developed allergy, resulting to asthma.  The doctor came in to nebulize her with a smoke containing medicine for asthma.  Adna did not respond to that medication.  She was catching her breath.  One of Adna¡¯s worker was there, so she told that lady worker, to bring her outside where she could grasp air.  One doctor told Adna and Al to have his payment in cash and not in check.  Al had  to go to a friend, their supplier of rattan and he told them  what was going on. They went straight to visit Adna and brought money to pay to that doctor.  The doctor who saved Adna did not ask any payment.  Adna then asked Al to bring her to the office of the the hospital owner.  Adna talked with the not so old owner.  Adna told him that she wanted to go home and asked him to please accept her post dated check.  The owner happened to be the Uncle of Adna¡¯s local buyer, so he signed a note that the cashier would accept the postdated check and Adna can go out of the hospital.  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    The children at home were looking for their parents, specially their mom Adna.  Lex was so affected, she did not go to school for many days.  Al just went home Wednesday, so Lex knew her mom was in the hospital.  Lex good enough caring her siblings, went to the house of their worker who live close to them.  She brought plate and placed on top of her head.  She asked for cooked rice as food for her, Aunt Felip, and her siblings.  Then she would get the wedding pictures of her parents and scattered the pictures on her bed.  Aunt Felip always stayed close to Lex.  the nanny would ask her to go to school, but she would say, ¡®¡¯no, I want my mom¡¯¡¯.  When Adna arrived, she immediately told Al to go to the family doctor of Papa Mar.  Al brought the doctor to their house.  The doctor was the one who took care of Adna everytime she got sick since she was a child.  The doctor used to come to Adna¡¯¡¯s house.  Al brought the doctor using his motorcycle.  He checked Adna and this time Adna could not refuse being given injectable medication to prevent her from infection.  Adna was bed rest for two months.  The business had to be stopped.  The unfinished orders of Adna gave her so much worry, and her friend with the same local buyer told Adna she would help Adna complete the orders.  Though it was the hardest time for Adna and Al still they were  thankful to  God that everything is alright.  When Adna was already well, she asked Al to accompany her to the hospital.  She wanted to thank the young doctor who had the heart to save her.  They were informed that the doctor just got married and he was out of the country for his honeymoon.  Al informed his mother who lived with her younger sister abroad.  They sent money to cover all the expenses incurred in the hospital.  Thanks be to God.  Mom Rona and Papa Mar with Aunt Feliz surely were watching over Adna and prayed for Adna.  God sent the young doctor to gave Adna a chance to live longer for her family whom she loved the most.

 Chapter 10

    After two months bedrest, Adna was thinking, ¡®¡¯ Lex birthday is coming up. Before Lex birthday celebration, Al the second would celebrate first. Al had an idea just to celebrate the birthday of Lex and Al the second just one time, so it should be a joint birthday. Adna told Al, ¡®¡¯it should be celebrated on their respective birthdays, but for this year one has a grand celebration, and the next year the other one has the bigger celebration than the other. It must be alternate. The first to have the grand celebration should be Lex being the eldest. There were balloons but written on the balloons was ¡®¡¯Happy birthday Lex and Al the second¡¯¡¯. There was a big cake too with a heart shape and written on the cake was ¡®¡¯Happy Birthday Lex¡¯¡¯ Only the balloons had their two names. After singing the Happy Birthday song, the celebrant must make a birthday wish then blow the candle. Those who attended the celebration would clap their hands and would say ¡®¡¯wish come true¡¯¡¯. A lot of foods and visitors during Lex birthday. Prior to Lex birthday, though there were visitors but not as many during the birthday of Lex. Al the second had his birthday cake where he also blew his candle after he silently make a birthday wish. He also had spaghetti, ice cream, the salad prepared by Adna, the sweet and sour fish and many other delicious food. Only the balloons were not included as it would be bought during Lex birthday. After Adna was asked if she was happy with her birthday, she then answered, ¡®¡¯it was not my birthday only but also for Al the second¡¯¡¯. Aunt Felip told her, ¡®¡¯it is your birthday, Al the second had his birthday too¡¯¡¯. She then told Aunt Felip, ¡®¡¯you read the balloons, it is Happy Birthday Lex and Al the second¡¯¡¯. Aunt Felip did not say anything, as Lex was telling the truth. Adna and Al who heard their conversation had agreed to celebrate individually the birthdays of their children.


    Adna went to the licensing department to have her business closed. She was asked if she would be interested to work at the government instead. Adna accepted the offer. She started working February 21 and on February 23, Adna at dawn time she had a dream. Adna had a short talk with God. God told Adna, ¡®¡¯I want to live accompanying you¡¯¡¯. Adna replied, ¡®¡¯who am I to say no to You,..You are God¡¯¡¯. The next day Adna complained of her chest pain. Adna had mild heart disease when she was in high school. Papa Mar informed Al about it. When Adna told Al she had chest pain, Al was so afraid, this time heart cannot just be taken away like the appendicitis. He told Adna, that they must go to a healing priest, after Adna told him about her dream. They both went to the church where the healing was done by the priest. When the priest held Adna, she collapsed but she was conscious. The priest told Al, that Adna received the gift of tongue. Another priest who used to come to Adna¡¯s house during birthdays, happened to hold a high position in the University where they studied,. In fact, if Adna applied for academic scholarship, he was the one who would interview Adna. When Lex was absent from her class when her mom was hospitalized, the school would no longer accept her, but the priest who became the Superintendent had the authority to decide. He told the school directress who was a nun, that the school must give the child consideration. For humanitarian reason, they must let the child go back to school. The priest upon learning that the healer priest told Adna that she received the gift of tongue, the other priest told Adna to accept the gift of healing. Adna told the priest, ¡®¡¯No, I cannot, I have my children, they will be affected with what other people would say to me¡¯¡¯. Then Adna told the priest, ¡®¡¯I will give you the guitar of Papa Mar, just use it and take care of it¡¯¡¯ The priest joyfully accepted, he knew that the guitar was so precious to Adna. When Adna was working, some personnels would come to her and ask for help, they have no rice to cook for their family. Sometimes Adna would think how much salary she received and if she gives, how long she had been working to earn the money. So different when she had her business. Adna had no heart to say no. She gave them money to buy rice for their family. Al also worked with Adna, but in a different department. Al would always go to Adna¡¯s department to assist her. Al noticed that many people would come to Adna asking for help, specially for food. After office hours, Al would bring Adna to the mall nearby to eat ice cream. As it is peak hours, they just drop the kids at home first and then promise them that they would bring chocolates when they come home. Everyday, after work, that was the routine of Al and Adna. Adna¡¯s concern for others did not stop. When Al¡¯s younger sister would send them money, they would go and watched movie and bought a lot of stuffs. One time Adna told Al, why not give rice to others. They packed rice and placed inside a huge travelling bag. Adna placed the big bag on her lap and riding the motorcycle with Al, they would discuss where they would go and give the rice they brought. Adna told Al ¡®¡¯just drive, where the wind brings us that we do not know, who will receive these packs of rice¡¯¡¯. When they passed the church where Adna would always go everyday, she suddenly told Al to stop and see if there were old women inside. Al parked his motorcycle and carried the big bag with packs of rice. Adna saw three old women eating. It was Saturday, so there were only few people in the church ground. Adna learned they had been selling candles for the longest time and they were all sisters. To her heart and mind, Adna was thinking of the three old women could be Aunt Felip, Aunt Feliz, and Mom Rona. If they were not taken cared of properly, the situation of the three old women could have been experienced by her most loved Mom Rona, Aunt Feliz and Aunt Felip who was still alive. Adna told Al to give all the rice to them. The three old women were so grateful. Adna and Al kept visiting them. When one of them got sick, she brought the family doctor of Papa Mar to the house to the three old women. Adna then realized, they were lepers. Adna asked the prescribed medicines so she could buy it. The doctor who took care of Adna after her operation said to her, ¡®¡¯My child, what kind of heart have you got?¡¯¡¯ Adna replied, ¡®¡¯look up and you can see the sky, their roof have big holes, and look down, they are living on an uncemented floor.¡¯¡¯ The doctor who was a politician, known to be so rich in their city, just shake his head and he truly admired a young woman who had greater wisdom than him. One of the three old women died and she was buried during Adna¡¯s birthday. Adna shouldered the expenses. Al and Adna continued helping the two other sisters. One of them used to come to Adna¡¯s house bringing something, sometimes bananas, shellfish. Adna told her, do not bring anything for me when you come, it is heavy. Just come here when you need something from us. The kindness of Papa Mar who was very helpful to other people. The kindness of Mom Rona when she was still alive, is now burning in the heart of Adna. Al always give all his support to his wife. As if he would be saying always to Adna, ¡®¡¯your wish is my command¡¯¡¯.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

 Chapter 11

    Adna and Al who were working in the government established friendships with politicians.  In fact both Azia and Lex have politician godmothers too.  Azia, had the wife of the mayor in  their city, while Lex had the representative to  the congress as her godmother.  Azia who had health problem had one time been rushed to the hospital and the car of the husband of her godmother who was the mayor of their city  was used, with his personal driver  driving the car  bringing the child to the hospital.  Al had to leave his motorcycle at his workplace  as he was with Adna and the child going to the hospital using  the car of the mayor of  their city.  Azia in the hospital always told her mother Adna, ¡®¡¯we now go home¡¯¡¯.  Adna just told the doctor to instruct her what to do as she will manage in the administration of the child¡¯s medicines.  The doctor then permitted them to go home.  Adna became very careful with Azia¡¯s food because she had allergy to shrimps, crab, and also she must stay away from dust, and smoke.


    Everytime Azia had school activities, Al and Adna made sure they were  always there the whole time.  The school always required costumes for Azia and her classmates, and Adna had her new dressmaker to make the costume for Azia.  Aunt Felip could no longer make dresses because she was already old.  When there were celebrations in school, Azia would bring foods from school and gave it to the office mates of her mother, even those with high position.  They were so amazed with Azia as she was too young to be thoughtful to others.  Lex also took voice lesson class in the school where she studied.  During the recital, there were so many audiences.  Adna and Al were there too.  One of the voice coach of Lex who was the pianist, was Adna¡¯s teacher in high school.  When she knew, Lex is Adna¡¯s daughter, she told Adna to encourage Lex to sing because she has a nice voice.  The recital was done in a big auditorium of the school.  Lex was the youngest and cutest performer during the recital.  She was wearing the most beautiful dress, Adna could provide her.  Lex did a great performance, she was able to hit the high notes.  Her piece is still memorized by Lex,  ¡®¡¯Be brave little one,  make a wish for each sad little tear, hold your head up though no one is near, someone¡¯s waiting for you.  Don¡¯t cry little one, there¡¯ll be a smile  where a frown used to be, you¡¯ll be part of the love that you¡¯ll see, someone¡¯s waiting for you.  Always keep a little prayer in your pocket, and you¡¯re sure to see the light.  Soon there¡¯ll be joy and happiness and your little world will be bright.  Have faith little one, ¡®til your hopes and your wishes come you, you must try to be brave little one, someone¡¯s waiting to love you¡¯¡¯.


    Continuously; Lex sang another piece, ¡®¡¯the sun come out tomorrow, bet your dollar bottom that tomorrow, there¡¯ll be sun.  Just thinking about tomorrow clears away the cobwebs and the sorrow ¡®til there¡¯s none.  When I¡¯m stuck with a day that is gray and lonely, I just stick out my chin and grin and say¡­..ohh, the sun come out tomorrow, so you gotta hang on ¡®til tomorrow, come what may,..tomorrow, tomorrow, I love you tomorrow, you¡¯re always a day away¡¯¡¯.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    The third piece of Lex, ¡®¡¯I believe the children are our future, Teach them well and let them lead the way, show them all the beauty they possess inside, give them a sense of pride to make it easier let the children¡¯s laughter remind us how we used to be.  Everybody¡¯s searching for a hero, people need someone to look up to, I never found anyone who fulfill my needs, a lonely place to live and so I learned to depend on me.  I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone¡¯s shadows.  If I fail, if I succeed, at least I¡¯ll live as I believe, no matter what they take from me, they can¡¯t take away my dignity.  Because the greatest love of all is happening to me, I found the greatest love of all inside of me.  The greatest love of all is  easy to achieve, learning to love yourself, it is the greatest love of all.  And if by chance that special place, that you¡¯ve been dreaming of, leads you to a lonely place, find your strength in LOVE.¡¯¡¯


    And for the finale, another girl joined Lex, she was older than Lex, and they both sang,  ¡®¡¯Don''t lose your way with each passing day you''ve come so far don''t throw it away Live believing dreams are for weaving Wonders are waiting to start Live your story Faith, hope and glory


    Hold to the truth in your heart If we hold on together I know our dreams will never die. Dreams see us through to forever where clouds roll by for you and I. Souls in the wind must learn how to bend. Seek out a star, hold on to the end. Valley, mountain, there is a fountain washes our tears all away Words are swaying,somebody is praying. Please let us come home to stay


    If we hold on together, I know our dreams will never die. Dreams see us through to forever


    Where clouds roll by, for you and I¡­¡¯¡¯.


    Both Lex and the other girl took a bow to the audiences and they received a big round of applause from them.  Lex performance was the highlight of the recital, as she was the smallest performer and the youngest as well.  Adna and Al were surprised how their daughter had shown her talent in singing.  It was only Aunt Felip who taught her the poem, and the song, ¡®¡¯Bunny, Bunny, do not run away,. I¡¯ll  give you grass and clover, if you will only stay¡¯¡¯.  The same song and poem learned by Adna from Aunt Felip.  When Lex stepped down from the big stage, Adna and Al came close to her, and  tightly embraced her.  Adna said to lex, ¡®¡¯congratulations! You really have a nice voice and had  a very good performance¡¯¡¯.  Al and Adna brought Lex to the mall.  They bought plenty of foods for Lex.  It was a beautiful moment for their child.  When they reached home, Aunt Felip was told by Adna about the  performance of Lex.  Aunt Felip had  teary eyes  because she was overjoyed.  Lex had her repeat performance in their place.  There were contestants for Battle of Champions for Singing.  They were all adults but Lex was their guest performer.  The experience of Lex enhanced her confidence.  As Papa Mar would always call Adna to join his conversation with company owner who visited him, Adna also had no stage fright.

 Chapter 12

    It was in 1996 when Uncle Mike had a serious attack. He was brought to the hospital by Al and his friend. Adna was at work when it happened and when she knew about it, Adna went right away to the hospital where Uncle Mike was revived at the emergency room of the private hospital. The doctor prescribed medicines but were not available at the pharmacy of the hospital, so Adna had to look for the medicines and bought from the pharmacy outside of the hospital. After she had bought all the medicines prescribed, Adna hurriedly went back to the hospital. When she reached the hospital she was told by the doctor that Uncle Mike already expired


    Adna was hysteric and told the doctor, ¡°I brought all the medicines needed and what¡¯s the use of all these medicines?¡± Adna then slam all the medicines breaking the bottle containing one of the medicines she bought. The doctor understood how painful it was for Adna. She just reminisce the good times she had with Uncle Mike. Everytime she was called by Uncle Mike to eat his newly harvested jackfruits and ripe mangoes. When she was almost drowned and was able to hold Uncle Mike¡¯s short pants. Lex also told her mom when together with Azia they made fun with their grand Uncle Mike by hiding his pair of slippers. Aunt Felip would then ask them to return the pair of slippers because Uncle Mike could hardly find his pair of slippers as it it thrown by the two kids on top of the lower roof of the house. Uncle Mike just smiled when he knew Lex and Azia became naughty.


    Al and Adna shouldered all the expenses. Mom Rona¡¯s age when she was gone was 76 years old, Aunt Feliz was 79 years old, Papa Mar was 83 years old, Uncle Mike died at the age of 80 years old. To Adna¡¯s mind, ¡°I only have one left, please God allow Aunt Felip to spend the longest time with my family¡±. Later, Adna brought Aunt Felip to the mall and bought her nice dresses. Aunt Felip also enjoyed to experience some enjoyable ride at the amusement park. She was provided with milk and vitamins to make her more healthy as she was two years older than Uncle Mike. The kids missed Uncle Mike so much, specially Lex who was fully aware of what was happening. A month later, Azia and Lex went back to their school as the school year started. Azia was with Lex every recess time. They enjoyed sharing the foods they bought from the school canteen. From home, Adna prepared foods for Lex and Azia and gave them money, too so that they could buy what they like from the canteen. Lex is a very responsible sister to Azia. She would never forget the time when she did not see her mom and dad, she asked cooked rice from one of her mom¡¯s worker who lived near their house. In school, Lex would always go to Azia¡¯s classroom to check if her younger sister needs anything and to show to Azia¡¯s classmates that she was around to protect Azia.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    When Uncle Mike died, the lawyer of Adna¡¯s properties who prepared the document when Papa Mar, Mom Rona, Aunt Feliz, Uncle Mike were still alive and including Aunt Felip told Adna to prepare big amount of money to transfer the documents to Adna¡¯s name. Another option was to sell a little part of the property to cover the expense. Adna chose the second option with the knowledge of Aunt Felip and Al. The lawyer¡¯s secretary herself provided the buyer of the property. Adna, who trusted the lawyer because he was the one who defended Mom Rona. Without asking advice from Uncle Rom who was also a lawyer,


    Adna signed the document, believing that the proceeds would cover the expense for transferring the name of the properties to Adna¡¯s name and the name of the distant relative whose name was added to make the donation of the properties to Adna valid. Adna was young when she received the properties and the distant relative is male and older than Adna, Papa Mar thought the distant relative would protect Adna and not take away from her the properties intended only for her and then be passed on to Adna¡¯s children.


    Few months after Adna signed the documents prepared by the lawyer, all the properties and not part, was transferred to the new owner. Adna was ordered to demolish the house. This house had the great sentimental value for Adna. The house where Papa Mar and Mom Rona lived, Aunt Feliz, Aunt Felip, Uncle Mike lived with them too. Adna, Al and the children lived in that same house too. Adna then realized that the distant relative added to the document is a first degree cousin of the lawyer¡¯s wife. The properties were of high value when sold, their agenda is to make money by selling the properties. They knew that Adna would never sell the properties, so they made her believe that it was only to transfer to her name and only little part would be taken to shoulder the cost of the transfer.


    Adna informed Uncle Rom about her situation. After he read the document which Adna signed, it was an Absolute Deed of Sale. It would mean that Adna had absolutely conveyed all her rights to the new owner. The amount of the sale was small. Prior to that there was a Deed of Sale with Installment, a much bigger amount was given and Aunt Felip and Al were with Adna. The Deed of Absolute which stipulates the smaller amount than the first document. The Deed of Sale with Installment really had partial payment, but the Deed of Absolute Sale had no single cent being paid. The first document was hidden, Adna could not secure any copy. Uncle Rom suffered parkinson¡¯s disease during that time


    and he was already weak. He embraced Adna with his shaking hands and whole body and told Adna, ¡°if I am not sick, I would give you a house¡± then his tears started rolling on his face. Adna kissed him and said, ¡° don¡¯t worry Uncle Rom, I am alright, thank you and I Love You¡±.

 Chapter 13

    Month of April, the daughter of Uncle Rom informed Adna that Uncle Rom died.  The older son also who is a lawyer also informed Adna.  They knew that Adna was the apple of the eye of Uncle Rom.  Since at first he was placed at the next city, Adna and Al went right away to pay their last respect to Uncle Rom.  When Adna came near the coffin of Uncle Rom, the lights near the coffin went off and on.  It was not only one time but successive.  Everybody saw what happened and thought that Uncle was happy that Adna was there.  Even the wife of Uncle Rom knew that her husband loved Adna as his child.  When Adna and Al went home, the younger son of Uncle Rom who is also a lawyer told Adna that he would send Adna and Al using his car and he would be the one to drive.  He told Adna that Uncle Rom¡¯s body would be brought to their hometown quite far from Adna¡¯s place which was four hours travel by bus.  When Al and Adna arrived home, they told Lex, Azia and Al the second that they would attend Uncle Rom¡¯s funeral in the next two days.  They prepared canned goods, they would sleep there for one night.  The family arrived at the hometown of Uncle Rom late in the afternoon.  When the younger son of Uncle Rom saw Adna with her whole family, he was overjoyed.  They gave the room of Uncle Rom¡¯s parents.  Uncle Rom¡¯s father was the mayor of the town.  The house was very big.  It was an ancestral home of Uncle Rom¡¯s family.  The younger sister of Uncle Rom all the time stayed with Adna.  Aunt Sally is the only sister of Uncle Rom and she married a doctor.  Aunt Sally was very kind to Adna.  Lex, Azia, and Al the second met their relatives mostly the grandchildren of Uncle Rom.  There were military guards standing at the side of Uncle Rom¡¯s coffin.  Many military men took turns to guard Uncle Rom.  The military commander was sitting beside Adna who never leave Uncle Rom.  The younger son asked Adna, would you like to sleep at  Aunt Sally¡¯s house?¡±  Adna answered, ¡° no, I won¡¯t sleep, this would be the last moment I could spend with Uncle Rom¡±.  The younger son left to get some sleep.  Adna stayed awake with the militaries who were standing beside Uncle Rom¡¯s coffin.  Al was telling Adna to get some sleep but Adna refused.  Al and the children slept as they were all tired of their long travel.  In the morning the next day, all the children of Uncle Rom gathered for breakfast, they were grateful that Adna stayed awake all night and did not leave their father, while all of them were asleep.  The son of Uncle Rom¡¯s daughter who already died told Adna that he would be the one to drive for Adna¡¯s family using his car.  Late in the afternoon Adna asked permission from Uncle Rom¡¯s wife, sister and children that they would already go home.  Adna at first asked the military commander if her family could ride their military vehicle in going back to the city.  The military official said to Adna,  ¡° I would be glad to but there are children and it is dangerous in case there would be an ambush.¡±  Adna understood, she told Al that they would travel by bus.  Uncle Rom¡¯s younger son told Adna that someone would drive Adna and her family home using a van.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    It was not so late at night when they arrived home.  Adna talked with Lex, Azia, and Al the second, ¡°did you all have a good sleep at the room of Uncle Rom¡¯s parents?¡±  Lex repliied, ¡°not so mom because it was quite scary, the lights would suddenly turn off.¡±  Adna said, ¡° your grand Uncle Rom might just be happy that we were around.¡±


    It was the first long travel for Lex and Al the second, but the second time for Azia.  One more month for their school summer vacation.  Enrolment time comes for the coming school year.  Adna would bring them to the mall to buy their school requirements.  When Lex would pick her sixteen colors crayons, Adna would remember Lex comment about Santa Claus saying, ¡°Mom, does Santa Claus know how to read?  I wrote on my letter to him that I would ask crayons, nice notebooks,pencils and then he gave me lots of expensive chocolates exactly the same with what Azia and Al the second received too.¡±  Then Adna could not hold her laughter when Azia strongly insisted that Santa Claus was mom and dad.  Azia used a mirror from inside the house to catch the true identity of Santa Claus.  Azia who was witty enough to discover the truth.  Adna noticed that Lex is intelligent but emotional.  Azia is intelligent and logical.  Al the second speaks what¡¯s in his mind.  When Al the second took entrance at the school Lex and Azia studied, Adna was told by the registrar of the school that Al the second did not pass the entrance exam.  Adna asked for Al the second¡¯s test paper, but they won¡¯t show to Adna the results as it is confidential.  Adna talked with Al  the second regarding his exams and he insisted he knew the answers.  Al the second told his mom, ¡°what will the dog eat, carrots? no, the dogs eat bones.  What will the rabbits eat, bone?, no, the rabbits eat carrots.¡±  The young child was right.  Adna went straight to the school directress and relayed to her the child¡¯s rationale.  The directress of the school who was a nun asked the test papers of Al the second from the guidance counselor who conducted the child¡¯s entrance interview.  Al the second got high score in his written exams.  His mistake was when he can¡¯t pronounce letter ¡°r¡± well.  When he was asked to say ¡°orange¡± he said ¡°olange¡±.  Al the second was enrolled in the same school where Lex and Azia studied.  The school accepts a boy student only if older sister is studying there.  Adna and Al were very happy to have their children study in the same school.

 Chapter 14

    Adna bought two large fried chicken.  Aunt Felip enjoyed dinner with Al the second who was always beside her.  Most of the time Aunt Felip took Al the second to sleep beside her.  Lex and Azia loved to eat fried chicken, one of their favorite foods.  Al the second used to call her mom at the office many times.  Even when he was not yet studying he already knew how to dial the telephone number of Adna¡¯s office.  He memorized the numbers he would dial.  Adna¡¯s officemate who used to answer calls was aware that Adna¡¯s child just missed her.  One time, Al the second called her mom¡¯s office.  The officemate of Adna just answered, ¡°your mom is busy, she can¡¯t answer your call.¡±  It was only the idea of Adna¡¯s officemate because Adna would always find time to answer the calls of her son Al the second. When Adna arrived home from work, Al the second told his mom that Aunt Felip had diarrhea.  Adna asked the young boy,¡± why you did not call me at the office?¡±  He answered, ¡° I called but someone from your office had hang up the phone after saying your mom is busy.¡±  Adna said to Al the second, ¡°I did not know, if I was busy then I should have returned call.¡±Adna asked Al to buy medicines but the nanny said that Aunt Felip took already medicines for diarrhea.  The risk of diarrhea is being dehydrated and the potassium would drop too, Adna told the nanny.  When Aunt Felip went to the comfort room, Adna saw her fall into the floor almost unconscious.  Adna rushed to Aunt Felip and carried her like a baby.  She brought Aunt Felip outside the house and  still being carried by Adna alone as Al was taking an ambulance.  When the rescue team arrived Adna was still carrying Aunt Felip like a baby.  Adna gave Aunt Felip to the rescuers for first aid because it would take an hour to reach the hospital in the next city.  Adna realized how painful she felt with her hands and shoulders, of course Aunt Felip was heavy and she kept carrying her until the rescue team arrived in Adna¡¯s house.  Adna could not believe she could do that, the so called adrenalin rush.  When they reach in the emergency room, Adna was asked by the admitting nurse who would be the doctor for Aunt Felip.  Al was the one who answered, ¡°Dr. ken¡±, the family doctor of Al¡¯s older sister.  The hospital asked for  a big amount for the deposit before the patient is confined.  If they would charge it to the company where his sister had the highest position, all the bills incurred during confinement can be paid a month after the patient checked out from the hospital.  What Al would do is to go to the branch office and asked for a letter of authority signed by the branch manager.  No need for deposit if there would be a letter of authority.  Al with Adna called her older sister and told her about the letter of authority.  The older sister of Al instructed them to get the letter of authority from her secretary in the company branch near Adna and Al¡¯s place.  Aunt Felip was admitted for several days and Adna and Al were all the time at the side of Aunt Felip.  At night Al would go home to be with Lex, Azia and Al the second.  After sending the kids to school, Al would go straight to Adna who never leave Aunt Felip in the hospital.  Adna called the priest asking him to pray for Aunt Felip¡¯s fast recovery.  Adna told the priest,  ¡°please pray that Aunt Felip would not die, it is almost Christmas and I don¡¯t want my children Lex, Azia, and Al the second to experience a sad Christmas.   Aunt Felip is all I¡¯ve got, I can provide all her needs.¡±  The priest answered briefly, ¡°pray to God and I am praying for her.¡±  Adna was crying when she called the priest, who was her spiritual director.  Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    In the hospital, everything was provided, the letter of authority was open, no limit for the medicines needed.  Unlike during the time of Uncle Mike wherein Adna had to buy the medicines outside of the hospital.  A big waste of time and effort.  Aunt Felip started to gain strength, ¡°in two days you may go home and continue her medication there ¡°the doctor telling Al and Adna.  Then Adna thanked the doctor for doing his best to save Aunt Felip.  She also thanked the nurses who were administering all medicines for Aunt Felip.


    At home the bed was prepared for Aunt Felip.  Near the window where she could breathe fresh air as she would be bedridden as expected.   Adna seemed had given birth to a new baby because all the food she bought for Aunt Felip were baby¡¯s food.  It would be easy to digest, good for Aunt Felip.  Yes the baby¡¯s foods were quite expensive, but Adna was joyful in providing the needs of her much loved Aunt.  Lex, Azia, and specially Al the second missed Aunt Felip so much and now she is coming home.  The three kids were so happy.  They could see and embrace Aunt Felip again.  Lex said, ¡°I can get coins from the pocket of Aunt Felip¡¯s dress again.¡±  She used to do that specially when Aunt Felip is asleep, but she never scolded Lex.  When Al, Adna,and Aunt Felip arrived home late in the afternoon, all the kids were at the door ready to hold Aunt Felip and guide her to the new place of her bed.  They were so joyful their family is now complete.  Adna said in front of the kids, ¡°Thank You God¡±.  Lex helped in taking care of Aunt Felip. Lex have so much compassion in her heart.  Azia played all the time with her younger brother.  Adna told Lex, Azia, and Al the second, ¡°prepare your letter for Santa Claus, it is almost Christmas.¡±  Azia answered,  ¡°hahaha, Santa is mom¡±.  Lex said,  ¡° we will just have exchange of gifts.¡±  Adna replied, okay, that¡¯s good¡±.  Al took the Christmas decorations to feel the spirit of Christmas.  ¡° Thank you God for your blessing.   Thank you for the most precious Christmas gift to me and my family...the gift unwrapped-Aunt Felip¡±, Adna whispering a little prayer to God.

 Chapter 15

    Everyday, Adna goes to the church to attend the holy mass.  Usually if Adna woke up early she attended  the 6:30 in the morning schedule.  If she woke up late then went  for the 7:30 in the morning holy mass.  Today,  Adna must attend the funeral mass of the priest¡¯s father who died of a sudden heart attack.  With the experiences of Adna losing her Mom Rona, Papa Mar, Aunt Feliz, Uncle Mike and Uncle Rom, she did not like to see or witness same situation.  As if Adna could not completely move on even if it had happened many years already.  In fact, during their birthdays, the family still celebrate it as if they are still alive.  There is always a birthday cake which inscribes their birthday age that sometimes the cake decorator would say, ¡®¡¯can he or she still walk¡¯¡¯.  Lex would tease, ¡®¡¯yes he is on a wheelchair¡¯¡¯.  Like Papa Mar who was born 1909, Mom Rona who was born 1910, Aunt Feliz who was born 1908, and Uncle Mike who was born in 1916.  Last year inscribed on Papa Mar¡¯s birthday cake was ¡°happy  109th birthday Papa Mar¡¯¡¯.  It gave the amazing feeling of the cake decorator to know a person reached  that age, when in truth, Papa Mar had been gone twenty six years  ago.  The physical absence of them all were  just only in the eyes of Adna and her family.  They are all alive and existing in the mind and heart of each one specially for Adna.


    The priest studied in the school where Adna studied.  He was in the elementary while Adna was in highschool.  He is almost five years younger than Adna.  When Adna was chosen by their chapel officer to represent their small chapel as a reader during the holy mass in the church.  Adna became close to everyone there, they even would come to Adna¡¯s house every occasion like birthdays.  The young priest was also assigned in the church.  He became their spiritual director.  Though he was young, but he was  somewhat more mature than his age.  When Lex and Azia  would go to the church to see their mom, the priest seeing Lex and Azia wearing the school uniform where he also studied would approach the young girls, and talk with Lex and Azia.    He became much closer to Lex.  There were also other young priests with him but he was more a silent type than the others.  He was always smiling and could be approached anytime for any concern.  Adna then became a member of an organization  that has members coming from poor communities.  They could see Adna¡¯s heart of sharing to them specially food.  Of course, Adna also cooked foods for the priests.  The organization had a Christmas party a week before Christmas, and Adna would gather many packed gifts for all the members.  It was in 1999 when Adna suffered severe bleeding which resulted to anemia.  It was discovered that Adna had myoma which needs an operation.  Adna who already experienced severe allergy when she underwent operation with ruptured appendicitis, decided not to undergo same procedure anymore. Adna had to resign from her work in the government.  The priests as well as the organization had chosen Adna as one of the delegates to the first world congress.  This congress is participated mostly by priests and nuns all over the world.  Only very few were  the laity, mostly carefully chosen by the priests where the delegate served.


    The congress was held in the next city, so Adna can just go home at night.  There were also dignitaries who came to attend the week long congress.  Adna had the opportunity to meet them in persona and even had a short talk with them.  Even the president of the country.  Adna met many priests and nuns from different places.  Most of them had been assigned to non-Christian countries  for a mission of evangelizing God¡¯s teachings.  They were the so called missionaries in the modern times.  It was a significant experience for Adna.  Because of Papa Mar¡¯s teachings to Adna, she had no stage fright.  She never look up to their positions as dignitaries or with high position in the country, Adna just treated them as  friends. .  They were most kind and humble the way they talk with Adna.  One of them really went with Adna to visit her place.  The dignitary was from Europe and he met the children of Adna.  He gave Adna and her family a necklace propagated by the congregation where he belonged.  He offered Adna to give funds for the sick children but Adna told the dignitary, ¡®¡¯i don¡¯t like the young ones, they are still very active,  i love the old ones,  their time is almost over, they are weak and needs help¡¯¡¯. The dignitary answered,¡¯¡¯i must transfer to the old ones in that case¡¯¡¯.  Adna knew that was only to him personally because he handles all the sick children especially those with HIV¡¯s all over the world.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    After the week long congress, Adna was asked to hold a re-echo of what she experienced in the congress.  It was in front of many people.


    Then  December came,  Adna proposed to give five kilos rice, the expensive rice for fifty indigents.  The priest was in charge to choose the recipients, Adna¡¯s work was to gather the rice.   It was realized, and fifty indigents were happy they had rice to cook for Christmas Eve and even could reach until New Year¡¯s Eve.  Month of January was month for Ecuminism, where different sects of Christians will gather and become one.  Adna was chosen to represent the church together with the pastors of the different Christian sects.  Adna refused, it must be a work of a priest who is of the same level with the pastors.  Although priests are anointed and pastors were  not.  The priests including the one whose father had funeral mass this morning chose Adna to speak in behalf of the priest.  Her topic was ¡°God the source of Unity¡¯¡¯.  It was too difficult for Adna specially that many pastors would listen to her and also members of different organization would be there too.   Adna just prayed to God, ¡®¡¯ here i am dear God,  cleanse my tongue and mouth, and use me however you want me to work for your glory, and fill me with the Holy Spirit to guide me.¡¯¡¯  Adna then faced the huge crowd with the many pastors who were sitting in front of her. Each has an hour talk for each topic.  Adna began to speak, God the Source of Unity, We Belong to One House, We have One Father.  Our sister may go somewhere to another country and the other to the different place in another country and some maybe left in the same house or some may live in a place nearby.  When they come home to the house of the Father we realize that we are all brothers and sisters who all belong to one Father, our God.  Never focus on the differences on what we believe, but hold on as being united because we are one family, we are all brothers and sisters¡¯.  No one is superior than the other, we were made equally and created out of love.  Every time you passed by the least of our brothers and sisters, did you stop for a while and asked, ¡®¡¯ have you eaten your meal already?¡¯¡¯  Did you take a coin from your pocket and gave it to them so that they can buy something to eat?  Have you spent few minutes to sit beside them and listen for awhile if there is anything they need which you could help?  It is being taught in the congress that there is no need to go to remote and dangerous area to become a missionary.  If you are a wife then be a good wife.  If you are a mother then be a good mother.  The people will see the things you do even if you don¡¯t speak or evangelize.  You can just listen to their story or tell your story, that is a missionary.  No need to be afraid of the measure of time but truly  enjoy the fullness of time.  Adna ended her talk with a song,,¡¯¡¯If in my name you will gather together, united loving each other, you do what I commanded you to do, and I will be with you.  Bring with you my Peace, my most precious gift,  bring my gift of  togetherness for all the people.¡¯¡¯


    Some priests were also listening to Adna. One said, ¡°we are right in choosing you Adna¡¯¡¯.  Then Adna approached to the high ranking priest and told him that they would provide doctors and medicines for the poor ones who could not take medicines for their illnesses.  There was no question asked on how Adna could do it considering there will be more than a thousand patients.  Adna gathered the medicines and also the doctors who were specialists in their  own field of expertise.  There was a cardiologist, husband of Adna¡¯s distant cousin, an internal medicine doctor,  a neurosurgeon, a pediatrician, a family medicine doctor, an optometrist, an ob-gynecologist, dentists, pharmacists.  Adna prepared the food for the doctors.  The free medical clinic accepted patients who were Christians and Muslims in their place.  There were over a thousand patients but with God¡¯s grace, they never run out of medicines.


    The priest whose father had a funeral mass this morning, became a high ranking priest.  He helped Adna secure the documents required for those who had been living for many years and had not yet received the sacrament of matrimony.  There were times also when Christian from other sects would like to join and become a true Christian like Adna.  This morning in the Eulogy speech of the priest, Adna knew that his father died during Adna¡¯s birthday.

 Chapter 16

    It was month of May 2001, when there were many visitors arrived from another country and they wanted to meet Adna.  They were  the relatives of Adna¡¯s biological mother Liz.  It would be the first time that Adna would meet them.  When they arrived, Adna knew that one of them is getting married and it will be held at the hometown of their paternal grandfather in one of the beautiful islands in the country.  They wanted Adna to attend the wedding, but Adna declined the invitation.  First, she cannot leave Aunt Felip who was already bedridden, and she cannot travel alone without her family.  They all left to travel to the island without Adna.  After the wedding they came back to Adna¡¯s place.  It was their first acquaintance but the relationship seemed long time ago.  It was because they always talked about Adna and they really wanted to see her in person.  When Mom Rona was alive and Adna was still a baby, when she knew a relative of Liz  visited, she would keep Adna away from them.  They had no chance to go near to Adna when she was young.  Sometimes they could  just watched Adna from afar.


    When they came back, they knew Lex was the representative of their place to compete with many others for the May festivity in the church.  It was a money contest,  the highest amount during the counting would win.  In the first counting, Lex won but in the second counting, another candidate had the highest amount but so little difference with Lex gathered money.    One of Adna¡¯s relatives brought Lex to the mall and bought her the most expensive gown matched with a beautiful pair of sandals with high heels.  The sandals were designed with  glittering stones which could really attract someone who would see it.  Lex gown was  also designed beautifully and it had a shawl..  Though Lex was only second to the winner, but she was more stunning than her.  It was also the first time that Lex had a heavy make up and her hair was well done.  The priest said to Azia, ¡®¡¯it will be your turn next year¡¯.  Azia replied, ¡®¡¯no, I don¡¯t like to wear sandals with high heels.¡¯¡¯  At the end of June, the older sister of  Adna¡¯s biological mother arrived with her husband who  had  different nationality.  He was a merchant seaman.  Adna welcomed her aunt and uncle, they gave presents to everyone in the family specially Lex, Azia and Al the second.   Adna¡¯s aunt told  Al that her uncles in  the island longed to see Adna.  They were teachers there and they kept asking when they could see Adna.  As Adna  was afraid to travel by ship, afraid of being drowned like what happened when Uncle Mike and Adna had swimming on the beach, Adna could have drowned if she was not able to hold on to the short pants of Uncle Mike.  The older sister of Liz , asked Adna to go with her and purchase a plane ticket.  Adna insisted that it should be a two way ticket that must be bought.  The two way tickets were bought for the three of them, Adna, her aunt, and the husband of her aunt.


    It was the first time for Adna to travel without her family, but she was compelled to do so because of the last wish of her maternal relatives in the distant island.j  Adna was sitting at the back of the pilot.  It was just a 19 seater plane,  and Adna was sitting near the window of the plane.  She was amazed to see the clouds which was like cottons.  Then looking down the houses were already like matchboxes.  Adna in her mind, ¡®¡¯God please if this plane would crash, not in the middle of the sea, I don¡¯t know how to swim.  Just at the land where there are trees which could catch the plane when it falls.¡¯¡¯  When she looked down to the sea, she would think maybe those are sharks, but later on she realized those were only small boats.   When they arrived at the airport, someone had been waiting for them with a vehicle.  The place was so nice with beautiful beaches passed by.  When they arrived at  the house who will host them, Adna knew the wife was a first degree cousin of her biological mom, and her husband who was  a lawyer holds a high position in the government.  Their garden was well landscaped, and with their glass walls, it is a garden view from inside the house.  Adna could not believe how they prepared their food for every meal.  Adna was forced to eat plenty.  If at home, Adna would just buy two large fried chickens enough already for Al, Adna, Aunt Felip, Lex, Azia, Al the second and the nanny, but in the house where they stayed, one large fried chicken is good for one person only.  Every twenty minutes, many  foods were served by their chef, and Adna already complained how she could consume it all.  Adna said to herself, ¡°I helped so many hungry people and I know that hunger is a big problem, but here I am with a big problem on how to consume my share of food.¡¯¡¯  Few days after, Adna noticed she could not fit her pants.  She gained weight.  It was a nice tour of the island, a small island where it takes only half day to see the entire island as a small province.  Adna had seen and experienced bathing at the cold spring, hot spring and also had been able to climb part of an inactive volcano.  The volcano erupted already long time ago.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    There was a family reunion there and Adna had met the old relatives there, all retired teachers.  One said to Adna,¡¯¡¯I am ready to die now that I¡¯ve seen you.¡¯¡¯  Adna was so touched with what he said..  Time to say goodbye, Adna had to go home to her family.  The husband of  Adna¡¯s aunt noticed how Adna missed her family.  He said, ¡®¡¯I have never seen Adna¡¯s smile here, it seems like where one goes everybody follows.¡¯¡¯  He told his wife, ¡°we¡¯ve been here for days but it seemed two years for Adna.¡¯¡¯  All the time Adna was keeping the plane tickets.  She was ready to go home.  At the airport, they weighed each passenger.  Adna gained  10 lbs.  When they arrived home, everybody was so happy.  Since Al met Adna, they never miss a single day apart from each other, but due to the wish of old relatives, they respected them and made the greatest sacrifice.  It was too hard for Adna to leave her family.  She comes back home full of laughter, hugs and kisses.  She missed Aunt Felip so much too. ¡®¡¯ Home sweet home, ¡¯ Adna said.  In her prayer she thanked  God for bringing her back home with her true family.

 Chapter 17

    ¡®¡¯Life is absurd if we are just marching to death¡¯¡¯,  said the bishop priest who officiated the funeral mass of the priest¡¯s father last Tuesday morning.  Death is everyone¡¯s fear cause when it comes, the only word being said is ¡®¡¯not today¡¯¡¯.  It is the most powerful because death is always victorious.  When it is time to go it is really time to go and no one can stop it.  Many people who take it in the popular custom, they would make all the things they want in life.  Enjoy life while still alive.  Make use of the day to day living full of material ambitions and possessions.  Some become greed and they would not think about what others deserve and how would they feel after being victimized by the personal desire of the person just to enjoy life as he exists.  But in the Christian faith, it is otherwise.  Death becomes the new beginning of life eternal.  The new beginning becomes victorious over death.  Faith has truly come in and it is the hope of having a much beautiful life after this worldly existence, where it will be full of joy, no more sorrows and pains, no more illness, no more greed.  Perhaps some would not believe this kind of faith, but this is the truth, that the journey in this world is short, no one knows when is the perfect time when to stop breathing.  No one can tell when his life ends, possibly only those insane who have suicidal tendencies have the idea, when they would commit suicide.  Life is a gift from God, a privilege to experience how to become a true human being, giving the right answer of a question, ¡®¡¯is man truly human¡¯¡¯. Because only man kills its own species.  Having the Christian faith that there is a life eternal, all the pains in this world has an end, it is not the person dying who would say, ¡®¡¯not today¡¯¡¯ but it is death which would say, ¡®¡¯not today¡¯¡¯ because victory is not at all death.  The physical life ends, but the spiritual journey goes on.  The body leaves but the memory lives, continuously until the end of time.


    Adna fully understand, because it was not only one time that she experienced being left by her loved ones physically.  Mom Rona first then after a year, Aunt Feliz.   Five years after Papa Mar, then, four years later, Uncle Mike, then Uncle Rom.  The feeling of hope in Adna¡¯s heart that spiritually all of them still accompanies her day to day watching over Adna, helping her every econcounter of difficulties.  Adna in her heart knows that they are all happy and joyful somewhere up there and there are times when Adna would see them in her dreams.  When it happens, Adna shares what she dreamed  to the whole family.


    When Adna went to her maternal relatives to a small island, Adna¡¯s thoughts were occupied with how her family was doing?  Have they eaten their meals right on time.  Was  the milk of Aunt Felip been well prepared, not too sweet.  Adna considered also the feelings of her children without her.  She usually asked them, how was school, what were your beautiful experiences today?  Is there any problem that needs to be taken cared of?  The children could tell anything and everything to their mom.  Even Lex one time, openly told her mom, ¡®¡¯I really have a crush in school, he has really a beautiful big eyes.¡¯¡¯  Adna replied, ¡®¡¯who is he, what is his name?¡¯¡¯  Lex answered, ¡®¡¯he is my classmate, his name is Rom¡¯¡¯.  Adna thought to herself, ¡®¡¯Oh, same name with Uncle Rom¡¯¡¯.  Adna had to seek advice from her friend who is a priest considering that Lex was just in grade two which is too early for that kind of attraction experience.  The priest told Adna, ¡®¡¯just let it be, she is just a child, good that she expressed her feelings.¡¯¡¯  When Adna left the family to go to the island where her old relatives had been waiting to see her, Adna received money from her aunt, sister of her mom Liz.  Adna gave all the money to Al and requested Al to bring the children everyday to the mall but not stay there long time to make sure Aunt Felip would not be left to the nanny only.  Al must be there to see and make sure the needs of Aunt Felip is taken cared of immediately.  The children had fun with their  dad at the mall.  Al celebrated his birthday in August, he had only selected friends who came, one of them was the priest whom Adna gave Papa Mar¡¯s guitar.  Then  birthdays of Al the second, followed two weeks later to celebrate the birthday of Lex.  then Christmas time came full of fun during the games usually participated by Adna and Al.  Month of January came, and Adna had a dream.  It was almost morning when in her dreams she was walking on a road, not cemented but not rough road.  There were plants of beautiful roses at each side.  Adna just continued walking on the road, then she suddenly woke up.  When she got up from her bed, she thought right away of Aunt Felip.  After brushing her teeth and washed her face, Adna prepared the milk for Aunt Felip.  She was the one who brought it to Aunt Felip who was already back to her original room.  It was November 1999 when Aunt Felip was hospitalized, and now it is more than two years from her confinement but Adna continued to give her baby¡¯s food.  When she came near to Aunt Felip, she woke her up for her to drink her milk little by little.  Adna noticed, Aunt Felip stayed asleep.  Adna also noticed her breathing was too deep.  She placed the milk on the table of Aunt Felip¡¯s room and called Al.  There is something wrong with Aunt Felip.  Al who immediately came up to see Aunt Felip¡¯s condition, and after seeing Aunt Felip just stay asleep, he told Adna that she must be brought to the hospital.  Aunt Felip still stayed asleep with deep breathing.  All the children were also at home so they also went upstairs to see what happened to Aunt Felip.  Adna to her mind, had related her dream, she knew today is the time that Aunt Felip would go.    She would be celebrating her 88th birthday coming month of May.  Aunt Felip was just sleeping on her bed with all her family, Adna, Al, Lex, Azia, and Al the second on her bed side.  Adna asked Al to get the Bible, and she read verses to Aunt Felip.  When her breathe became shallow, Adna continued to read the bible aloud.  Adna then saw that there was a small smoke coming out from Aunt Felip¡¯s mouth..that was her last breath.  Adna then told Al to get some coconut oil.  She clean first Aunt Felip with water using a face towel, then she robbed the coconut oil at her hands.  When Adna saw Aunt Felips fingernails with some dirt, she asked Al to get the nail cutter, and Adna cut the fingernails of Aunt Felip one by one.  Adna told Aunt Felip, you must be very clean when you face God.  Adna took her long dress and had it prepared to be used by Aunt Felip.  She asked Al to go with her to buy a new pair of slippers for Aunt Felip to wear.  She didn¡¯t like to wear shoes or sandals, she prefer slippers.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    Adna then realized, Uncle Mike died on May 12, Aunt Feliz died September 12, now Aunt Felip died January 12.  It would not be difficult for Adna to remember their death anniversaries, as she would still remember and celebrate their respective birthdays.  At night, Adna can¡¯t help but cried, then she called the priest she asked to pray when Aunt Felip was confined.  Adna asked him,  ¡®¡¯why God has taken Aunt Felip from me,,why???  She is the last one I¡¯¡¯ve got.  Why????¡¯¡¯  The priest answered Adna, ¡®¡¯did you not ask that not during Christmas because you don¡¯t want the children to experience sadness during that joyous season?  God has heard your prayer, it is january, a month after Christmas, and God gave you over two years to spend time with her.¡¯¡¯  From a heavy heart, Adna became delighted, ¡®¡¯you are right and I must thank God for that¡¯¡¯.

 Chapter 18

    Today Al and Adna went to the mall to buy some groceries.  On their way home they noticed there were many people who were in a procession.  So many people, then Adna realized the procession is for Our Lady of Sorrow.  Her son Jesus was crucified on the cross with her standing beneath the cross.  She was so brave to witness her son hang on the cross and many soldiers were mocking Him.  One even pierced his side which made the blood and water from his body flowed out.  How courageous and brave she is as a mother.  I could not do that, ¡®¡¯Adna said to herself¡¯¡¯.  If anyone would hurt my children, I could for sure cut the head of that person who would try to harm any of the child, ¡®¡¯Adna openly expressed her thoughts.  Christians now remembers the passion and death of Jesus Christ.


    It was in March when Adna¡¯s friend who was a secretary of the priest in another place.  She called Adna asking for help because her father had an attack.  Her father was hypertensive.  They brought their father, with Adna¡¯s friend and her family, to the nearest hospital, but the hospital was not equipped with facilities like the CT scan, so the patient had to be transferred to the hospital in the next city.  Adna¡¯s friend did not know any doctor from that hospital so she asked Adna to help her as she has known so many doctors in the previous free clinics she did in the church where she belonged.  Adna told her friend to tell the admitting nurse in the hospital the name of the doctor who was also Adna¡¯s friend.  Then Adna through telephone called the doctor and told her that the father of her friend would be admitted and she will the one to manage the patient.  The doctor had been working with Adna helping poor patients for free.  Even though she is a doctor and her husband is also a doctor, their life as a couple was like hell.  Every problem she had she told Adna everything.  They live in one roof but they don¡¯t speak to each other and if they do it would be a big fight.  Their children, the eldest who also took medical course and the other three younger children were aware of the situation of their parents.  The father who was a doctor of a big company and holds clinic also in a big hospital did not provide well the financial needs of the children.  There were times when their servant who had long time been serving them would contact Adna and tell her that they no longer have food to eat.  Adna had to go to their house and brought some food and also distributed money to the four children including the eldest who was already a medical student, Adna gave them same amount of money so that they could have allowance in school and when they need to buy something, they have money to spend.  Adna was watchful that the father would not see her.  He was not a good man and if he knew Adna is a good friend of his wife, he would also be mad with Adna.


    One time, friend of Adna, though a doctor was not spared of legal problems.  She borrowed money from a lending company whose owner was just her distant relative.  When she was not able to pay on time, she was sued and then later the doctor was convicted.  She cannot go out of her house as she would be arrested but she called Adna to help her and go to court to submit the documents for the Petition to Post Bail.  Adna told Al and riding their motorcycle, Al and Adna went to the house of the doctor and took the documents then went straight to the court and filed it.  Her husband did not care about her.  The doctor then  thanked Al and Adna for helping her.  The children specially the eldest who was a bit older than Lex, knew how things were going with her mom.  While staying with the doctor, she then told Adna that she was drowned to debt because her husband never helped her with the expense of sending their children to the most expensive school.  She told Adna that her husband was addicted to gambling.  Adna told her, ¡®¡¯every person has a story, it is just like passing a road which has different design.  Along the way there could be holes at the beginning, or at the middle or the end part of the road.  What is important is to continue the journey and never stop moving on.¡¯¡¯  The doctor listened to her.  Adna told her, ¡®¡¯just continue to do good deeds¡¯¡¯.  The doctor who was not arrested continued to hold a clinic.  She accepted patients specially priests and nuns without receiving payment from them.  Her patients became so many but she continued to serve them for free.  Priests have different congregations.  There are religious orders who had vow of poverty, and also active priests serving in the churches where they received certain amount as stipends but the doctor treated them alike.  She became a good doctor to them who had different illnesses like heart disease, hepatitis b, diabetes.  She is a family doctor so her treatment to patients were not limited unlike the specialist doctors.  Adna also brought some indigent patients and she treated them for free.  Sometimes Adna when the patient was prescribed with medicines had to spend her own money as it was so urgent to take antibiotics, it should be complete treatment for seven days.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    The doctor became so busy with her services for free, and she gained a lot of friends who promised to pray for her.  Her son became a doctor also, the other one became top in her chosen career.  The other son who was the youngest of her three sons, attempted to commit suicide.  God did not allow he would succeed in ending his life.  He underwent counselling and then he went back to his studies.  The doctor friend of Adna had started to gain back her self confidence.  Everytime Adna goes to her clinic, it would take hours for Adna to come out of her clinic as she would be telling a lot to Adna.  When Azia suffered ear problem and two specialist doctors demanded huge amount of money, Adna went to her friend.  She gave Azia the medication for two months, and Azia was fine.  She did not charge Adna any payment, but Adna who knows her situation really would leave money so that she could buy something for the family.  She then filed annulment against her husband with the help of her oldest son who is already a doctor who went to the witness stand and told the Judge that his mom deserves to be happy.


    Adna then told the doctor about the situation of her friend¡¯s father and informed the doctor that the patient had no money, but she replied,¡¯¡¯ I need to refer the patient to a neurosurgeon doctor and when she named the doctor, Adna was so happy.  The neurosurgeon doctor was the one who helped her when she had a free clinic with more than a thousand patients not only exclusive to Christians but also Muslim brothers and sisters were also welcomed.

 Chapter 19

    When the father of Adna¡¯s friend checked out from the hospital, they had no money to pay.   The older sister of Adna¡¯s friend was a nun, so Adna asked the business office head of the hospital if letter of authority could be accepted in the case of a nun¡¯s father.  The head of the business office informed Adna that the account for the letter of authority covered only priests who were confined.  Adna told him, if the bill will just be sent to the office where accounts of the priests would be sent to for collection after the one month period after having checked out from the hospital, the agreed time to settle all the expenses incurred in the hospital.  The head of the business office who was already familiar with Adna accepted the proposal of Adna.  In that case the father of the nun whose younger sister asked help from Adna can anytime go out of the hospital which prevents additional cost every day.  Adna then went to the office of the in charge for letter of authority.  She had the same congregation with the daughter of the patient.  At first she refused, for the patient was not a priest but just a father of a nun.  Adna explained to her, ¡®¡¯I am not a nun, but I felt so much concern for this person who is so loved by his daughter, the younger sister of your fellow nun.  He is not my obligation being not my family member, but here I am leaving my family, and giving my time and effort to help them.  I know you can do something to help them much than I could.  Please do so¡­¡¯¡¯  After Adna¡¯s explanation, she approved that the letter of authority would come from the account of priests, but they would not pay for the hospital bill.  The help is only to give them time, exactly one month after checking out from the hospital.  They could have enough time to look for money to settle their outstanding account in the hospital.  Adna thanked the head nun and then went back to the hospital to tell the family of her friend that they can already check out from the hospital even without money, but must try their best not to go beyond the agreed time to pay their bill.  When the bill was already processed, Adna was so happy, that the neurosurgeon doctor who had the highest professional fee, did not charge a single cent.


    The family of Adna¡¯s friend were so grateful to Adna.  The friend of Adna, took care of her father at home while her older sister who was a nun went back to  their house in the congregation.   After a month, the father of Adna¡¯s friend had claimed his early retirement fee which amount could cover the amount they owe from the hospital.  They then went to the province which was the origin  of his wife.  With the help of having fresh air there, fresh fruits and vegetables, the father of Adna¡¯s friend had recovered.  One time he asked his  daughter to request Adna to come to their house in the province.  Considering the distance which was  farther than Uncle Rpm¡¯s ancestral house, Adna said, ¡®¡¯thank you for  inviting, but tell your father just to stay healthy, no need to thank me¡¯¡¯.  Ten years later Adna¡¯s friend called and informed that her father passed away.  Adna told her friend, ¡®¡¯your father was almost gone, but God who saw your love for him extended his life to spend more quality time with you¡¯.  It also happened when I almost lost my Aunt Felip, I prayed to God and He extended the life of Aunt Felip for more than two years,  month after Christmas.  God had given you and your father the longest time, much as I desire for Aunt Felip to keep her always at my sight.¡¯¡¯  Adna¡¯s friend understood all that she heard from Adna was right.


    Adna¡¯s friend is already over 40 years old who remained single all her life.  Last year, she met Al and Adna at the market, and she had a companion.  She then told Al, we are getting married this coming May and I want you and Adna to be our principal sponsors.  Adna replied¡¯¡¯, the wedding is here in the nearby church?¡¯¡¯  She answered, ¡®¡¯at the province¡¯¡¯.  Adna said, ¡®¡¯it is too far we cannot go, just transfer your wedding here, and I will cook lots of foods then.¡¯¡¯  Adna also does not like to wear gown and with high heels of shoes.  She does not like wearing  heavy makeup  and for  her hair she just want it simple.  Adna said, ¡®¡¯if your wedding is here, I can help prepare the foods.¡¯¡¯  Day before the wedding day, Adna asked her children, Lex, Azia, and Al the second,  ¡®¡¯would you like to travel to the province?¡¯¡¯  All were so excited and said, ¡®¡¯yes¡¯¡¯.  Adna told them, ¡®¡¯go and tell your father Al, we will attend the wedding tomorrow but we have to leave after lunch and sleep there one night.¡¯¡¯  Al asked Adna, ¡®¡¯are we going to be the principal sponsor?¡¯¡¯  Adna replied, ¡®¡¯no, I am going to wear ordinary slippers¡¯¡¯  After lunch, Lex, Azia, Al the second were all ready to bring their backpacks  and small travelling bag.  Adna told them, ¡®¡¯don¡¯t forget to bring your toothbrush and toothpaste¡¯¡¯  then they all went to bus terminal for it would take them more than  four hours to reach the place.  Adna asked Lex to contact her friend to get instructions on how to get there.  Adna¡¯s friend was so happy, the whole family would attend her wedding.  On their way there, no bus was available, so they had to pay a higher amount for a van for hire.  They reached the place late in the afternoon.  Another sister of Adna¡¯s friend was in charge to take care of the whole family.  There was a beautiful small house which was good enough to accomodate Adna¡¯s family.  They would sleep there for one night.  The wedding was scheduled at ten o¡¯clock in the morning.  They all went to the church of that place.  After the wedding ceremony, they went back to the bride¡¯s house as the reception was held there.  After meeting with some friends who came from the  city where Adna lived, Adna told her children to prepare their things as they would travel home by bus.  When they reach the small house where they slept, the sister of the bride, and another sister who accommodated Adna¡¯s family went with them.  Adna asked the younger sister of the nun, ¡®¡¯I feel something strange in this place, though the house is beautifully painted, but I don¡¯t  understand, it is so lonely here, why?¡¯¡¯  She then answered,  ¡®¡¯see that big house in the compound, the three members of the family died in a car accident. The mother, her daughter in law, wife of the one driving the car and the niece who was the only child of a seaman, brother of the driver.  The driver was asleep while driving, and all his three passengers died except him who survived.  She also pointed to the big gate which was always kept closed, when the car was sold to an american buyer, the new  driver would always stop at the gate as if somebody was coming out from the car to that big house.  When the american buyer knew, he told the former owner, ¡®¡¯take back your car and never mind returning my money¡¯¡¯.  Lex who was listening, told Adna, ¡®¡¯I did not sleep well mom and I could hear a voice from outside talking in the middle of the night.¡¯¡¯  Azia and Al the second told their mom, ¡®¡¯now let¡¯s go home mom¡¯¡¯.  Adna told them, ¡®¡¯I will speak to them and thank them for allowing us to borrow their place.  Thank you..Thank you..¡¯¡¯  they all left after Adna gave thanks to those whose spirits still remain in that place.  It was a sudden death, they were not prepared, so they could not accept they must leave their home.  It takes time for them to accept that they no longer belong to that place.  The fear of Azia and Al the second was replaced with prayers, they understand their mom¡¯s wisdom for such a situation.  Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    When they arrived home, Al the second told his mom,  ¡®¡¯we will travel again mom¡¯¡¯.  Lex who heard Al the second answered,  ¡®¡¯we will look for a hotel in that place first before we go.  We don¡¯t know the story of the house so it is better to go to a hotel because it is newly built and so many guests are there too.  Azia then answered, ¡®¡¯we will just stay in one room, a family room in that hotel¡¯¡¯  Adna said, ¡®¡¯¡¯yes, but we start saving money first for that travel¡¯¡¯    Let us have dinner now, call your dad.  They enjoyed the food at home, Adna cooked delicious foods for her family.

 Chapter 20

    Which came first, chicken or egg?  This was the usual debate Adna heard from Aunt Felip and Papa Mar, and so with Mom Rona but the responsive to this kind of asking was Aunt Felip.  Perhaps this may sound like a joke but such a very interesting topic.  Adna while listening to them got confused, because their choice was reasonable.  Chicken came from an egg, while egg came from the chicken.  Papa Mar taught Adna just to enjoy having a debate, and always stick to what you believe for the purpose of standing on your choice.  He also taught Adna not to feel so deep in every debate or differences on principles.  Life is just worth enjoying, not for a person to feel bitterness.  Adna also learned from Papa Mar not to compete with others, but to compete with her ownself.  Never get distracted on what others achieve, but to do things not to surpass others but to just what is best.  Adna passed this learning to Lex, Azia, and Al the second.  ¡®¡¯Always compete with yourself¡¯¡¯, Adna told Lex, Azia, and Al the second.  There are many who looked so successful in material things, but something must be missing from them, they may not have a happy family.  Some also just lived simply but they are so happy with their complete family.


    Azia who is very compassionate to others, would always bring her classmate to her house.  She would then tell Adna, ¡®¡¯mom my classmate is having asthma, and her father already died, now her mother just died.  They were still third year high school during that time.  Adna told Azia that they would go and visit the place where her mom is placed.  Azia, with Mom Adna and Dad Al went to the place where the mom of her classmate was placed.  It was just few minutes away from their house.  When Adna reached there, she saw only the two sisters, Azia¡¯s classmate and the older sister.  They had different fathers, but same mother but both fathers were already dead.  Adna looked around but there were no other people there.  She asked. ¡®¡¯Where are your aunts and uncles?¡¯¡¯  The older sister replied, ¡®¡¯they are busy with their business, they cannot come here but they shoulder the expenses.  Adna then walked close to the mother, and spoke to her, ¡®¡¯continue with your journey, do not worry about your younger daughter, I would do everything I could to look after her¡¯¡¯.   Then they told  the two sisters that they would be leaving, and told the younger sister who was Azia¡¯s classmate, ¡®¡¯I am now your guardian, anything you need in school, I will be the one to go there.  I will call the school and inform them that I am your volunteer guardian¡¯¡¯.  The older sister just listened to what Adna said to her younger sister.  Then Adna and Al went to attend the burial, and the cousin of Azia¡¯s classmate facilitated them in his car.  It was too difficult for Azia¡¯s classmate to go to their house where her mother would personally prepared her food for lunch.  They lived in the next corner of the school so it was easy for her to go home as their house was so near.  Azia told her mom that her classmate had difficulty eating, she missed her mom so much.  Adna told Azia, ¡®¡¯just have your lunch in school canteen and you eat together, do not let her go to their house during lunch time.  Adna prepared a pack lunch for both Azia and her classmate.


    Almost every day Azia would bring her classmate to the house, and when her classmate had asthma, Adna gave her medicine.    One time, Adna received a call from their  math teacher.  She was informed that the grade of Azia¡¯s classmate is not passing.  Adna who also had been a student of this math teacher when she was in high school, knew how difficult her style of teaching was.  When discussing at the same time writing on the blackboard, almost all students did not understand.  She discussed about x2 plus y3 -x and so on and so forth.  When someone asked questions, she would continue discussing then would say get one fourth sheet of paper, let us have a quiz.  Adna understood the feeling of Azia¡¯s classmate, her mind could have been with her mother and not in her class.  Adna knew that because when  Mom Rons was bedridden, her mind was small part in school and biggest part  was at home thinking about Mom Rone.  Adna told the teacher, ¡®¡¯please do not fail her, she just lost her mother, still in the period of denial, let us wait that she could learn to accept the reality that she must continue to do things on her own without the usual routine where her mom was always there for her.  I will be the one responsible for her studies and I will do something to make her grades improve and be able to pass the next grading period.¡¯¡¯  The teacher agreed to Adna, then Azia who was so good in mathematics and Lex as well helped  in coping up with the failing grade of Azia¡¯s friend.  When she enrolled in the University, she took Associate in Hotel and Restaurant Management, while Azia took Bachelor in Science major in Nursing.  They were not in the same department but they were at the same University.  When she had problem in school, Adna would go there as herr volunteer guardian.  When she finished the two year course, she applied for a job.  Having a very pretty face and with a good height, she was hired as a cashier at the Casino.  She met many rich people there, but she remained faithful to her boyfriend.  Later they got married and have two beautiful children.  When Adna give rice during Christmas, instead of 50 packs of 5 kilos rice each pack, it become plenty.  Azia¡¯s friend with the support of her husband shared their blessings also to the indigents.  Many times, Adna had in mind not to continue giving rice during Christmas especially when she felt sick, but Azia and her former classmates who became like family members of Adna would initiate bringing their packs of rice.  Adna had to get up to be with Azia and her classmates to distribute rice  two days before Christmas.  Adna had not reached the 18 years in sharing rice to the indigents if not because of Azia who would always cheer up Adna.  All the friends of Azia  would look up to Lex like an older sister.  Another classmate of Azia who always came to Adna¡¯s house with another classmate would listen with much respect to  Adna than their own family.  When Adna with Al, Azia , Lex and Al the second visited the house of one of Azia¡¯s classmate, the mother told Adna, ¡®¡¯good that you know many things about my daughter, she never told me about that.¡¯¡¯  One classmate of Azia saw that there were two Christmas trees at Adna¡¯s house, she said, ¡®¡¯in our house we do not have Christmas tree¡¯¡¯  When Adna visited their place with Azia, she told the older sister who was a police woman to put a Christmas tree in their house because her younger sister would love it.  She promised Adna she would have a Christmas tree at the house.  The other classmate of Azia came from a broken family.  Her father left her mom and she hates her father so much.  Adna told her, ¡®¡¯you have to see your father to make you a complete person and you have to forgive him.¡¯¡¯  She replied, ¡®¡¯no way, I hate him.¡¯¡¯  Adna told her, ¡®¡¯what if he would have a short life, now that is still time, you must reconcile with him for your own sake, to make you a complete person.¡¯¡¯  She did not respond to Adna and just kept silent.  Few weeks later, she called through telephone telling Adna that she met her father and they had a heart to heart talk.  She told her father, ¡®¡¯if not because of that woman [referring to Adna] I would not be talking to you.¡¯¡¯  The father said to her, ¡®¡¯please say Thank You to that woman.¡¯¡¯  Three months later, her father died.  She remembered what Adna told her, ¡®¡¯what if  his life is short, now that you still have time you must reconcile with him and forgive him and that would make you a complete person.  She could hardly believe but what Adna told her is true.  Now she is happily married and worked as a nurse.  Everytime she comes home from another country, she would always ask Azia, ¡®¡¯where is your mom, I wanna see her and talk with her.¡¯¡¯  She always bring lots of presents to Adna.  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

 Chapter 21

    THE GREAT is the Holy One.  We can do nothing without Him.  Our mission in  life is to know one¡¯s purpose of his or her existence called life   Why am I here?  What truly makes me happy? Who I  can¡¯t live without?  Who do I love the most?  No man is an island, no man can live alone.  Each person needs to be accepted with his/her strengths and weaknesses.  Each person needs affection and love.  Loneliness slowly kills a person.  A compatible companion is a must, the so called soulmate.  How come couples who love each other at first and as a product of their love is not only one child but many children then would turn out to be worst enemies?  When siblings have their personal favorite whom they can trust all their secrets while the others always contradict.  Maybe because one has his/her own mind or one is over confident.  Maybe it is insecurity which causes sibling rivalry.  For couples maybe it is because of competition especially on who¡¯s more successful  in their chosen career.  The husband is more egoistic than the wife, patriarchal in nature, the wife must always follow the decision of her husband.  The wife has no role in making minor or major decisions.  For parents, they also admire a child which could be misunderstood by the other as their favorite.  For married brothers and sisters they would always favor their own family even caused by too little conflict it could be the end of sibling relationship which become irreconcilable until the moment they die.  These are the realities in life which is out of anyone¡¯s control. Seeking guidance from The Great One can change all these in a wink of an eye.


    Many years ago, Adna wanted to bring porridge to old people at the church ground.  At that time Adna was not yet a delegate to represent the church where she belonged but she was already part of an organization in that church.  The leader was an  unmarried woman who always instruct Adna to prepare giveaways  to members who were majority poor.  The members thought and believed that those giveaways gathered by Adna is personal expense of the leader.  She also asked from the members to bring their old clothes and house utensils then she sold all the collected stuffs and called it a rummage sale.  Every celebrations like fellowship and Christmas party she made an attendance notebook where each one who attend would write their names with corresponding payment.  One time Adna asked the other officer, ¡°why should everybody pay, the giveaways I brought are free and she did not  spend money for the food because everyone who attended were required to bring their foods, their own plates, spoons and forks and even glasses for shared soft drinks also brought by the members.  Some members had that same question knowing that there was money which was the proceed of the rummage sale.  Adna in her heart and mind did not like it, she said, ¡° that is not for God, she used the organization as her business.¡±  Adna stopped attending the organization.  When Azia asked Adna that they would attend the Christmas party of the organization bringing giveaways  for thirty people, Adna learned that more than half of its members had also stopped attending.  During the season of Lent they would sell porridge at the church ground with a very high price, it is times ten the original price.  It could be availed through tickets distributed to different chapels all over the place within the jurisdiction of the church and the tickets are considered sold out, each head of the chapel has to pay.  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    When she knew Adna would  distribute porridge for free at the church ground she was so mad.


    She told Adna, ¡°it is always you who is famous, you are always great.¡±  Adna replied, ¡°the one who used me as his visible  instrument made me famous.  I am a nobody but because I do things according to His Will, He made me somebody.  He is the true Great One up there looking at you and me.¡±  Adna continued to speak, ¡°do not worry , I will never compete with you.¡±  Adna then called the mother superior of the house of the destitutes and the dying, the house of mother teresa of calcutta.  The mother superior was also the spiritual mother of Adna.  The mother superior listened to Adna who told her about how her fellow servant of the church seemed  to drive away Adna.  The mother superior said, ¡° you are most welcome here Adna and eighty old men and women who could hardly eat without assistance will be very happy to see you.¡±  She then added, ¡°the person who stopped does not have the same language with your heart.  She does not have the same color with your heart.¡± Adna felt much joy having served these people who deserved care.  Adna thanked God  for the significant experience together with her family, Al , Lex, Azia, and Al the second.  Adna¡¯s friend whose children were schoolmates of Lex , Azia and Al the second were also there helping the old men and women in one of the houses of mother teresa.


    The words of the mother superior was instilled in the heart and mind of


    Adna.  The  many questions she had has finally found its answers.  Even siblings could have different colors of heart and different language of the heart. There are persons who are  not blood related but seemed more than a true sister or brother and it is because their hearts have the same color.  Their hearts speak the same language.  For couple who love each other against all odds, yet turned out to be the worst enemies because they tend to forget that The Great One is up there Who clearly sees the one making business for personal and the other one who just surrender oneself to do His Will  as many are called but only few have answered.  It is only through the heart that one sees rightly, what is essential is not visible to the eyes.


    When Adna encountered God  through her dream on february 23, 1995.  Adna was standing so close to God.  HE said to Adna, ¡®¡¯I want to live accompanying you.¡¯¡¯  Adna answered with much respect, ¡®¡¯who am I to say no, You are God.¡¯¡¯  During the dark times of Adna, when she starts feeling weak and could no longer go on, she would just recall her encounter with God through her dream.  Adna would tell herself, ¡®¡¯there is really a One True God and I had a short conversation with him in my dream.¡¯¡¯  I must persevere in all that I want to do to make my family happy and also do  my extraordinary calling serving and making other people happy too in my little ways..


    ***


    1-2 Chapter/s for today

 Chapter 22

    For many years, Adna observed the  Holy Week by fasting.  The last meal for Adna is lunch during Maundy Thursday.  Then she would only eat little biscuits and water for supper, the entire Good Friday and Black Saturday.  Lex, Azia, Al the second would not do the same but they refrain from eating delicious foods in observing the Holy Week.  They would go to the church for prayers for the Last Supper in the afternoon of Maundy Thursday, and then there will a procession on Good Friday.  At night, special presentation on television on The Ten Commandments, then Lex, Azia, and Al the second would watch it as they would be amazed when  Moses opened the Seas and all the Jews were able to cross the sea.  When Rameses, the king of Egypt ordered his soldiers riding horses to  run after the Jews who were just walking with their children and other heavy loads, then the waters of the sea covered drowning the soldiers making all of them dead.  All the Jews were able to cross the sea and were saved from the wrath of Rameses. It had been shown every Holy Days and the children of Adna had watched The Ten Commandments many times but they still wait to see it again.  A biblical story which is true.  The amazing work of God.  Moses also heard the voice of God through a burning bush.  God truly speaks, Adna also heard God speak not through a burning bush but through her dream.  It was twenty four years ago, but Adna felt it seems just yesterday when God had spoke to her.


    During Maundy Thursday and Good Friday Adna, Al, Lex, Azia and Al the second just stay together watch the Biblical stories shown on television, and the children just eat little food than the usual.  On Black Saturday there will be blessing of Fire and Water in the church  at around 8:00 o¡¯clock in the evening.  The electric lights would be turned off and only lighted candles brought by those who would attend would give light to the entire church.  All the parts of the altar are covered with a purple cloth as a symbol of The Passion and Death of Jesus Christ.  At the middle of the mass, the Gloria song will be sung by the choir and then the electric light would all be turned on and  the purple cloth would be removed.  While the choir sing the Gloria, the altar acolytes would also keep the bells ringing.  It would be the sign of Jesus


    resurrection.  The next day, Easter Sunday is the resurrection day.  Some people would do some Easter hunt.  Kids have to find the eggs which contain money.  Adna did not do that at home.  On Easter Sunday, people would greet each other, ¡®¡¯Happy Easter.¡¯¡¯


    Yesterday, Adna tried to contact the priest whose father just died.  Adna wanted to greet him a Happy Birthday.  Azia told her mom, ¡®¡¯ his father just died so it is improper to greet him a Happy Birthday, how could he be happy?¡¯¡¯  Adna considered Azia¡¯s thoughts but she replied, ¡®¡¯but it would not be good if  we would not call him during his special day to let him know that we remember this special occasion and besides his father died the day on my birthday.¡¯¡¯  Adna with the help of Lex tried to contact the young priest many times but he did not answer.  Early this morning, Adna tried to call again but still no answer.  Adna told Lex,¡¯¡¯ it¡¯s okay if he did not answer, at least I called him¡¯¡¯.  Arriving at the church before the Holy mass started, Adna asked some of her  friends, ¡®¡¯did you call and greet the priest a Happy Birthday.¡¯¡¯  They answered that they did not remember the birthday of the priest.  One of the choir members worked at the church in the next city.  He could get in touch with the priest everyday.  After the mass Adna approached her and told her that she called the priest last night and early this morning.  She answered, ¡®¡¯they had lunch out with other priests¡¯¡¯  The restlessness of Adna on how the priest was doing had been replaced with joy.  At least he is okay and celebrated his birthday with his fellow priests.  Loneliness slowly kills a person¡¯s heart and mind.  Adna wanted to make the priest feel that he is not alone.  Adna and her family was there for him.    It is true that it would not be easy for him to lose his father being the only son, and their closeness seemed the same with the closeness of Adna to Mom Rona, Papa Mar, Aunts and Uncle.  It is not easy especially when the times of sadness would cover the moment where joyous celebration should supposedly be enjoyed like birthdays.  When the older brother of Al died, the burial was during Al¡¯s birthday.  When Papa Mar died, the sadness also covered the joyous celebration of Lex birthday.  When Adna helped the three women who were candle vendors of the church ground, two of them died during Adna¡¯s birthday.  The father of the priest died also during Adna¡¯s birthday.  Why???  Adna then understood that they really want to be remembered and never forgotten.  They are given opportunity who would remember them the most, that is the reason why their leaving would fall on the happy occasion of the one whom they think would love them always, the one who would value them even in memories, the connectedness to the heart.  Adna had read a book Tuesdays with Morrie, one of her favorite books.  Morrie compared a person to a hibiscus plant.  A beautiful flower then it bloomed then die.  The same with a person but the only difference is that the person has built a relationship with the loved ones.  The connectedness in the heart would forever live in the mind and heart of the loved ones.  Family is the most important over all others.  They would never leave until the end and even keep memories until forever.  Family is the real treasure on earth.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    Adna joins the celebration of all Christians in the world.  She would observe wholeheartedly, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Black Saturday.  She wants to greet all  the readers, ¡°¡±Advance Happy Easter¡¯.¡¯¡¯


    ***


    2-2 Chapter/s today


    This is for tom. chapter. Because its Holy Week, no chapters for Maundy Thursday until Easter Sunday. I will be back in Monday.

 Chapter 23

    Christ has Died, Christ is Risen, Christ Will Come Again.  The Passion, Death and Resurrection of our Dear Lord Jesus Christ, the only Begotten Son of God the Father had thoroughly passed the Will of His Father.  When Jesus came to this world, it was just a short live.  He died at the age of 33, too young to die.  Jesus knew every suffering of this world.  He encountered every evil persecutions to the point where he was scourged at the pillar, crowned with thorns, carried his cross to Mt. Calvary, nailed on that very cross he carried.  His mother was beneath His cross who witnessed every suffering and pain of her son, her only son.  She never walked away and never left until Jesus was taken down from the cross after he died and she kept the body of her son lying on her cradled like a baby, known as the PIETA.  When Jesus cried out, ¡®¡¯Father why have you abandoned me?¡¯¡¯  and before He breathe his last He said, ¡®¡¯Into thy hand I commend my Spirit.¡¯¡¯  Then there was total darkness which shakened the soldiers who were with Jesus to prove that God was watching over His only begotten Son whom He claimed when Jesus asked John the Baptist  to baptize HIm, ¡°¡±This is my beloved Son to whom I am well pleased.¡¯¡¯  After three days, Jesus Is Risen.  Many of his disciples had witnessed that He is Alive.  Even one of His Disciples Thomas who did not see Jesus when He appeared to other disciples, said that he would not believe until he could personally touch and see the wounds of Jesus hands when nailed and the wound on his side when pierced.  Then Jesus told Thomas, ¡®¡¯Peace Be With You, Blessed are those who do not see yet believed.¡¯¡¯  He asked Thomas to go near Him and touch His side and showed His hands where wounds can be seen by Thomas.  Easter Sunday, just like Christmas.  Jesus victoriously defeated death.  The greatest gift from Him is PEACE.  ¡°¡±Peace I leave you, my  peace I give you¡¯¡¯.


    Azia who is so clingy to her mom Adna, had conversation with her mother while pulling the gray hair of Adna.  Al the second is so good in pulling gray hairs of Adna, but when Azia would cling to her mom, she would also pull the gray hair while having conversation with her mom.  Azia just asked, ¡®¡¯mom, what if  all the people would just have one God.¡¯¡¯  Adna replied, ¡®¡¯we only have one and the same God, but different groups or religion.¡¯¡¯  Adna continued, ¡®¡¯do you mean all of us just have one belief or one universal religion/¡¯¡¯  Azia answered, ¡®¡¯all would be united as one.¡¯¡¯  Adna explained to Azia, ¡®¡¯that would not happen, we would have differences but there must be something in common where it make us one just like the different languages spoken by the different countries, there would be a language barrier if there is no universal language being used to make each one understand.  What is needed is just to learn, adjust and adapt what each one has used too since they were young.  The most important is not force anyone to change and respect is what is called for.  Just like customs and traditions, it had been passed on from generation to generation which cannot be put aside by the younger ones cause it had been a practice for the longest time from their ancestors.  What is needed is to study, learn, adjust, and possibly adapt the practices of others, but the most  important of all is RESPECT.¡¯¡¯  Azia being good in analyzing had no further questions to her mom.  She continued to pull the gray hair of Adna.


    December 8 last year was the Feast of Immaculate Conception in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus.  A week before that date, Adna had a chance to talk with the head Legal of the government in their city.  They usually met at the church every morning.  The lawyer sits at the back of where Adna was sitting.  Adna had the chance to talk with him and she told the lawyer, that she had been a missionary for almost twenty years.   Adna told him that being a missionary is not easy as it is full of trials and difficulties.  Adna told the lawyer, ¡®¡¯I had been doing services to the indigents for almost twenty years.  My life is full of difficulties and even my family had experienced the same difficulties.  I want to end my mission but I still lack something I had never done in my many years in  mission.  I had worked many times with doctors and had even go to the highlands with them to give medical services for free, but I have not worked with lawyers to help those who have legal problems without payment.¡¯  The lawyer asked Adna, ¡®¡¯when do you want to give legal aid and where would be the venue/?¡¯¡¯  Adna asked the lawyer, ¡®¡¯can you help me provide with lawyers, time is too short it will be next week December 8?¡¯¡¯  The lawyer assured Adna that he could provide lawyers and no problem with the short preparation as it would be a week preparation only.  Adna told the lawyer that she would ask permission from the head priest that the function room of the church would be the venue.   If the function room would not be available then two other possible venues are already in the mind of Adna.  She then went straight to the head priest and when the head priest saw Adna,  he  listened to Adna.  He told Adna that December 8 must be moved to another date most possible date is end of December to give ample time to prepare as he wanted that many organizations would be involved.  Adna insisted, it must be on December 8 as a big celebration for  the Feast of the Immaculate Conception is a  significant and most important day.  Adna told the lawyer about the reaction of the head priest, so she told the lawyer,  ¡®¡¯even if we can only help one person on that day, one good deed is enough for me.¡¯¡¯  The lawyer answered, ¡®¡¯okay, the legal aid will be on December 8.¡¯¡¯Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Adna with the help of Azia, Lex, Al and Al the second had a permanent schedule of a day before Christmas Eve, they distribute rice and prepared foods set on a long table for old indigents.  Clothes wrapped with Christmas wrapper also would be distributed.  Adna to her mind, would no longer distribute rice and no longer prepare food on December 23, she decided to do all those things on December 8.  She also get in touched with doctors who could also join her on that day having a free medical clinic, side by side with the legal clinic.  On that day, there would be rice distribution, clothes distribution, lawyers and doctors to give their free services.  Adna realized this would not be possible on her own, on that very day there would be no money to be spent.   Usually money comes on the 15th of the month.  Adna strongly believed that if this is the Will of God then everything is possible.  Azia who just resigned from her job, spent all her time with Adna, gathering clothes, medicines, and other things needed for setting the table as if in an expensive restaurant so that indigents could experience what they did not experience in going to restaurants where foods served there for sure they could not afford.  Azia ordered balloons with three different colors, white, light blue and light pink.  They also bought tablecloth with white color then covered with light blue silk cloth for the two long tables, and then for foods the table was covered with white color with a pink silk cloth on top for the third long table.  The food setting was a buffet style.  All the chairs were decorated with balloons.  They started the celebration with the Holy Mass, there were already lawyers who attended, nuns and a retired judge with his wife.  After the Holy Mass, they went to the function room and had breakfast.  So many people came in including two of Adna¡¯s classmates who just came home right in time for the activity.  They came from other countries.  Adna then noticed many cars were coming and then many lawyers had come. Most of them were female lawyers.  They became Azia and Lex friends and encourage them both to become like them.  They never run out of food, everybody¡¯s food,  for the doctors, lawyers and even for the indigents.  Adna had no sleep all night in preparing the foods.  More than a hundred people were served, despite the influx of people Adna was still in good condition.

 Chapter 24

    Adna secretly told Lex, ¡®¡¯what would be your idea in celebrating Azia¡¯s birthday?¡¯¡¯  Lex answered, ¡®¡¯it falls on a Sunday, mom.  If we go to the distant restaurant, for sure it is not open.¡¯¡¯  Adna told  Lex, ¡®¡¯our visitors would be lawyers and also those who help us when we had the legal aid, our way of saying ¡®¡¯thank you¡¯¡¯ to them.¡¯¡¯  Lex told Adna, ¡®¡¯if that is so mom then we must provide them van so that we can go all together to the restaurant, it is not easy to locate and besides the retired judge is already old and it would be tiresome to drive long distance.¡¯¡¯  Adna replied, ¡®¡¯I know, and that would be your assignment.¡¯¡¯  Adna then got in touch with the restaurant owner to have their restaurant open for the occasion.  She told the owner that they had been going there for many years already and to give Adna¡¯s family a favor that the celebration of Adna¡¯s daughter be held there.  It was three weeks prior so they could not decide yet but they understood Adna.  Adna was joking to the owner who was an old woman , ¡®¡¯I did not postpone the date when I gave birth to my daughter, so her birthday celebration must be on the day itself, so kindly make your restaurant available for my family and some guests.¡¯¡¯  Convinced with Adna¡¯s explanation, the old woman told Adna to order the preferred foods as they would only have few staffs who be around on that day and it would be their first time to open the restaurant on a Sunday.  Lex who is very good in choosing foods dictated to her mom the foods they would like to order.  Adna asked the owner,  ¡®¡¯is the payment needed to be given in advance?¡¯¡¯  She answered, ¡®¡¯no need, you live far so just give the payment on that day¡¯¡¯.  Adna was very grateful to the old woman.


    It was Lex turn to contact the driver, who would drive them to the restaurant.  Lex gave the phone to her mom to talk with the driver.  Adna asked him,¡¯¡¯ we would go out on a Sunday, are you available on that day and is it okay with your family because Sunday is a family day?¡¯¡¯  The driver excitedly said, ¡®¡¯yes, I would drive.¡¯¡¯  Many times he had been driving the family of Adna going to that restaurant and Adna would always ask him to join them for dinner and he is treated like family.  Adna tried to recall one by one who would be invited on that very special occasion, Azia¡¯s birthday.  The retired judge, the lawyers, nuns, the one who helped Adna for the food during the legal and medical clinic, the church office secretary who helped in making the function room available for the legal clinic.  There were more than fifteen guests listed whom Adna should call one by one .  Lex told her mom, ¡®¡¯we are too many mom, how could we all sit comfortably?¡¯¡¯  Adna laughed, ¡®¡¯then we would ask the lawyers to use their cars going there.¡¯¡¯  March 17 came, early in the morning Adna was already busy cooking.  She had prepared the most delicious salad made of jelly and mangoes, more delicious than ice cream.  She also cooked delicious foods for their breakfast together with the whole family at home.  Before Azia woke up, foods were ready.  Coming from upstairs, Azia saw her mom so busy and when she came near she told her mom, ¡®¡¯so plenty of foods mom.¡¯¡¯  Adna replied, ¡®¡¯Happy Birthday¡¯¡¯, must have plenty of foods because today is your special day.  Lex also went to the mall early to buy Azia¡¯s birthday gift.  Adna already prepared gifts for Azia.  Adna and Al went to the mall five days before her birthday to buy her a new red dress and a nice pair of sandals.  Adna then told Azia that after eating breakfast she would go to the mall to buy her a birthday cake.  Azia went with Adna in buying her cake.  The night before Azia¡¯¡¯s birthday the driver whom already said ¡°yes, he could drive even if it is a Sunday¡¯¡¯ called Lex that he could not.  Adna was mad as he was the very trusted driver for the family and this  time with many lawyers and a retired judge.  Later, it was settled, another good driver would drive them and he was more kind and respectful.  Adna already expected that it is not easy to locate the restaurant.  It is too private and the place looks like just a simple house in a village.  No name of the restaurant  is placed outside.   For sure they need time to locate the place.  The driver used google map as locator.  The driver had been driving back and forth because Adna and Lex insisted it would be in the next street.  It took time to finally reach the restaurant.  The retired judge said to Adna, ¡®¡¯good that I listened to you not to bring my car, I could not find this place by myself.¡¯¡¯  Adna answered, ¡®¡¯judge, we had been here many times since 2014, and we still have hard time to find this place.¡¯¡¯  Coming in to the restaurant, the son of the old woman was waiting for them.  Other visitors, Azia¡¯s classmate with her husband and their two kids came.  The eldest kid, a girl is Lex goddaughter, while the youngest son, Azia¡¯s godson.  She was the classmate of Azia in the University who used to come to Adna¡¯s house and was amazed with the two Christmas trees.  Adna with Azia one time visited their place told the older sister who is  a policewoman  to put a Christmas tree in their house as her younger sister loved it.  The older sister promised to Adna she would place a Christmas tree in their house.  Another friend came with her daughter, she is the Dean¡¯s secretary where both Lex and Azia take up their law studies.  It was not too many crowd of guests, much lesser than the twenty five guests of Al and Adna during their wedding, but the ambience of the place which was simple but so beautiful and serene, all of those who  have their first time in that restaurant, including the retired judge were amazed.   When foods were served, Adna who already gave foods she prepared from home to the son of the restaurant owner, asked him to join them in having dinner, ¡®¡¯I want you to join us in celebrating the birthday of my daughter.¡¯¡¯  The retired judge was amazed with the foods.  They  cannot consume the foods as it were  too bounty.  Adna told the manager of the restaurant to share some foods to the waiters and other staffs and too have the other foods packed for the judge to bring and other visitors too.    It was a nice celebration, when they sang Azia the Birthday Song, she was so delighted.  Going back home, the judge told Adna, ¡°¡®this is my first time to experience like this¡¯¡¯.  He told Azia, ¡®¡¯ask me to come on your next birthday.¡¯¡¯  He told Azia,  ¡®¡¯if you finish your studies and become a lawyer, I know you will be a good judge.¡¯¡¯   Adna and Al with the help of Lex being the older sister were so thankful to God.  The best experience of their life, giving to Azia a simple yet so meaningful birthday celebration with such good influences who surround  them.  Thanks Be to God!If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

 Chapter 25

    Yesterday, Adna together with Al met her classmate in highschool.  Her classmate is now a doctor and she was one of those medical practitioners who helped Adna during the legal clinic and medical clinic last December 8.  During their high school days, Adna admired this classmate because she is so humble though very well known to every classmate that she came from a rich family.  She is intelligent whom Adna believed she would be  the top student in their class until they graduate, but it was another student who was first and she was only the second.  Adna would always tell her, ¡®¡¯because you are not talkative, that is why you are only second.¡¯¡¯  The other classmate was very talkative and always get close with the teachers in all their subjects.  She just  answered  Adna,  ¡®¡¯it is because we are friends¡¯¡¯.  Adna would tell her, ¡®¡¯no, it is not because we are friends, but you really deserve to be the first in class, you are more intelligent than her.¡¯¡¯  Every class reunion, she always attend, even if it is held in another country, she never missed a single reunion.  Adna does not like to spend time during reunions, it would finish very late at night, and besides there is no bonding with the whole classmates but only to those in a group using  the same table. More or less ten persons in one table and those sitting side by side could have the chance to talk and discuss how things had been going?  For those sitting far, there is no chance to have conversation but just to smile and wave hand.  For the friend of Adna, she would send text message asking Adna to come and if the reunion is held in the next city, she would meet Adna at the church  and she would drive Adna going there.  The host classmate announced that on the next day there is already a reserved beach party in another city.  Adna told her friend, ¡®¡¯I would attend if I could bring with me my whole family.¡¯¡¯  When their class reunion officer knew, she told Adna, ¡®¡¯Yes, you can bring your family, we would like to meet your children and those who would like to bring their family too is allowed, so that our children would come to know each other and definitely would become friends too.¡¯¡¯  Most of the classmates of Adna went with their husbands and children.


    The classmate of Adna had discussed through telephone about her problem with her husband.  Her husband worked overseas and had a mistress.  She could not accept it, it is too painful for her.  She filed in court a legal separation.  Adna told her to think of the effect to the children and she has to save her marriage.  Adna told her to seek counselling from priests on how to save their marriage for the sake of their  children.  She told Adna that she did everything already.    Adna understood the situation of her classmate, so she then told her, ¡®¡¯go back to your lawyer and ask remedy that you could put him in prison.¡¯¡¯  She then went to her lawyer and what happened, the husband returned home bringing his newly bought car.  He even joined the beach party and Adna met him but he just stayed away from the group.  He was afraid to be imprisoned.  The family has become complete again.  He left his mistress and changed and became faithful to Adna¡¯s friend.  The friend of Adna had travelled to many countries.  Adna told her, ¡®¡¯you have been good, so God gives you the reward of seeing different places.¡¯¡¯  She just smiled.  Everytime Adna has something to do serving the poor, she always join.  Yesterday, she told Adna that she has felt she is getting old.  She felt back pains, numbness and she asked Adna to pray for her.  Adna just told her, ¡®¡¯just stay happy, and think of an inspiration who would be the reason why you keep going¡¯.¡¯¡¯  She nodded and somewhat relieved with all the stresses  she experienced in  her work as a doctor.  Friendship really last a lifetime, Adna and her friend had been friends  through thick and thin.  They are not related by blood but for sure they have the same color of the heart and the same language of the heart as well.  Some classmates of Adna also have their groups but they could not convince Adna to join them, specially staying late at night and sometimes they drink wine.  When they were young they used to go to afternoon disco, but since the nuns were very strict, they still had good academic performances.  The population in school was lesser compared to other schools and for whole day in school the gates were closed, no one was allowed to go out the entire day of classes.  One of the mentors of Adna why she always keep good moral values,  aside from the upbringing of Mom Rona, Papa Mar, Aunts and Uncles was because also of the training of  the nuns  to their students.  It was an exclusive school for girls even up to the time of Lex and Azia.  It was only during the time of Al the second when it became a co-ed, meaning boys were already accepted in high school.  The boys were also the graduates in the elementary in the same school because boys with older sister were accepted in the elementary.  Adna was also able to use the school on her first free medical clinic where there were more than a thousand patients.  The second time, Adna still used the school but could no longer use the dental clinic of the school as it was destroyed by the fire.  Lex and Azia where studying in high school during that time when the school was razed by fire.  The school was just a semi concrete during the time of Adna , her children Lex and Azia and during the time of Al the second, it became a concrete building already.  If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    The family of Adna are so busy as this coming Saturday, the chapel near the place of Adna would have a feast and the head priest together with other priest would come and celebrate the Holy Mass. Since the time of Mom Rona and Papa Mar and up to this time, Adna still is the one who  prepare for their foods.  Adna told Lex,  ¡®¡¯we are too busy but remember that on May 1 is Aunt Felip¡¯s birthday.  Lex just smiled because she would be the one to buy the birthday cake of Aunt Felip.  It will be the 105th birthday of Aunt Felip.  Somewhere up there she would be watching  and  despite the number of years, Adna, Al, Lex, Azia, and Al the second never forget her.

 Chapter 26

    Adna went early to attend the Holy Mass.  She sat beside the old nun who gave her the necklace after Adna had her legal clinic last December 8.  This completes the work of Adna as a missionary with the help of the head of the city legal in their place.  The judge requested Adna who liked the taste of Adna¡¯s food to prepare the foods for their Christmas lunch.  On the 26th, is the birthday of his wife and he asked Adna to cook again for their visitors who would come for lunch on his wife¡¯s birthday.  The day after his wife¡¯s birthday, they left and went to U.S.  The judge after a month came home first.  The wife just arrived this month.  Adna met her shortly yesterday, and today after the Holy Mass she asked Adna to go with her for a breakfast at a fast food nearby.  At first Adna refused because she still has to buy for the breakfast of her family.  Before going to the church she just left bread because only Al the second was awake.  Al was still sleeping and Adna just asked him permission that she would be going to the church.  The wife of the judge also brought lipstick for Adna.  Adna told her, ¡°¡±no need to give me lipstick.¡¯¡¯ She looked at Adna¡¯s lips and said, ¡®¡¯you put lipstick, I can see it.¡¯¡¯  Adna replied, ¡®¡¯yes but too light.¡¯¡¯  She really wants to give the lipstick to Adna, so Adna said, ¡®¡¯okay, I will give this to Lex or Azia.¡¯¡¯  Then she held Adna, ¡®¡¯come with me, let us have breakfast¡¯.¡¯¡¯  Adna was really obliged to go and on the other hand was thinking I would be going home late and I could not prepare breakfast for my  family.   When they reached there at the fast food restaurant, not much customers.  Then she noticed another woman already sitting at the table and she said, ¡®¡¯she is the sister of a dentist, let us go near her table.¡¯¡¯  Adna was introduced to that woman, but Adna could still remember her,  One time at the mall, Adna and Al noticed her kindness to the mall staffs.  She was so caring and there is really too much concern from her towards others.  Adna told the wife of the judge, ¡®¡¯yes, I remember her, I have seen her one time at the mall and I was so amazed with her kindness and concern to the mall staffs.¡¯¡¯  When they started eating, still the woman continued talking with Adna, I have so much testimonies about my prayers being answered, when my Visa was denied, I did not go home and I just sat quietly at the corner and I prayed to God, ¡®¡¯am I going home with nothing?  Then later I heard my name being called and then I was given another chance for re-interview, the I got my Visa approved.¡¯¡¯  All the time when she spoke she was smiling and her face  became prettier and prettier as Adna was staring at her closely.  Adna told her, ¡®¡¯if you are the sister of a dentist, so you mean you have a brother who is a priest now in U. S?¡¯¡¯  She answered, ¡°¡±yes,you know him?¡¯¡¯  Adna answered, ¡®¡¯I do, he used to come to our house having dinner with my Mom Rona and Papa Mar, many times.  He also was the one teaching me how to pray properly.  I have to make it slow and sincere from the heart.  He loves me as a child and everytime he comes home for a vacation and when we meet, he can still recognize me.¡¯¡¯  All the time the woman just focused her conversation with Adna.  The wife of the judge was just listening.  One funny story was when she arrived in U.S. because she ran away from her husband who gave her marital problems and agony, her friend told her, you will be a citizen right away, a doctor will marry you here in order to get citizenship.  She told her friend, ¡®¡¯I have not asked permission from God yet.¡¯¡¯  I also have a husband waiting for me at home.  Adna told her, ¡®¡¯honestly when you speak, I truly admire you, it always begin with the words, I AM SO HAPPY, that is why your face looks twenty years younger than your age.  Adna continued, ¡®¡¯that is the secret of life..GRATITUDE..Helping other people is a pay it forward after you received so many blessings not specifically money like when you were called for a re-interview to get your Visa approved, it is because of your joyful attitude.


    The wife of the judge knew that Adna was in a hurry to buy food at the mall for her family.  The woman still has so many stories to tell to Adna.  She told Adna, I hope we could still meet again.  My name is Mildred, and Adna also gave her name to her.  When Adna arrived home, a visitor was already waiting for her.  She brought lots  of shrimps for Adna, but Adna refused to receive the shrimps, it is not good for Azia and Al the second.  Adna instead shared to her the food she brought for Al, Lex, Azia, and Al the second.  Adna who harvested her bananas also shared it to her friends who helped her in the legal clinic and medical clinic.  Yesterday, she brought bananas to her high school classmate, the doctor.  After she entertained the visitor who brought shrimps, she brought bananas to another friend who helped her with foods for the lawyers, doctors and even indigents.  Anway, two bananas are still bearing fruits so Adna could still share to other friends when she would harvest.  Everytime Adna would harvest fruits from her backyard, she would remember Uncle Mike who would always call Adna when he harvested  his jackfruits and ripe mangoes.  It was during Adna¡¯s childhood but up to this time what Uncle Mike did to Adna is always remembered.  When Uncle Mike had plenty  of ripe mangoes, Adna was allowed to share it with her classmates.  Making other people happy also.  The old woman shared to Adna that she would ask someone to distribute and share equally money good for eight persons who were staffs at the mall.  When she visited them, she noticed they were not having happy faces.  Then she learned that all the money was just kept by the one person she assigned to distribute the money.  Adna also told her, ¡®¡¯it happened to me also, when I was invited to attend a wedding, I just gave money as a gift for the bride.  When I had the chance to talk with the bride after the wedding,  I asked her if she received the money as a gift for her, and she answered, ¡®¡¯no, I did not receive any money¡¯.¡¯¡¯  Adna told the woman that sometimes, you have good intention but it falls to a wrong hand.  Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    Adna had to relax with Azia, Lex and Al the second who were watching television show.  Adna then came to her mind about the two women she had breakfast with.  They look young but the age of the wife of the judge is 62 years old and the other woman her age is 68 years old.  Adna just smiled, saying to her children Lex, Azia and Al the second, ¡®¡¯my friends are much older than me¡¯¡¯.  Adna remembered when she was young that she joined an organization in the church and no one was like her age, most of them were old and one of them was Adna¡¯s teacher in Grade one.  Adna grew up with her  old loved ones, still her crowd are the old ones.  Adna is so comfortable with them.  Al the second has his charity works during Christmas.  At first it was only fifty children, now it become two hundred fifty children.  Adna would run out of gifts for them and had to ask Al to go with her to buy more, but the children would wait at their gate and some would knock on  the glass window of Adna¡¯s house.  These glass windows were Papa Mar¡¯s window bought in 1956 but Adna took care of it and still it is used up to this time.  Sometimes, Lex would raise her voice to the children, ¡®¡¯do not break our glass windows.¡¯¡¯  Azia would also go to the gate to stop the children from making noises.  Azia with soft voice would tell the children, ¡®¡¯behave, my mom would give each one of you a gift, just wait.¡¯¡¯


    Who I am now is because of how I am raised with much love by  Papa Mar, Mom Rona, Aunt Felip, Aunt Feliz and Uncle Mike.  My children Lex and Azia who  are both intelligent and young professionals always stay simple and humble.  Al the second who is my only son and the youngest is already gifted with wisdom to share to less fortunate children whom are being left out by their parents.  My husband who had long proven his genuine love for me is also steadfast in helping me  to serve others.  I am so GRATEFUL to You my God,  ¡®¡¯Adna silently saying to herself.¡¯¡¯  Adna learned, the secret of life is GRATITUDE, and the most important thing which value is the most high is TIME.  The true treasure in this life is FAMILY.

 Chapter 27

    When Adna arrived home from the church, a friend arrived.  Both Adna and her friend just stayed at the garden as it is not too hot yet.   Adna came early because she really went out of the church right away after she assisted the old nun to go to their van which was parked at the church ground.  Looking back of the memories were discussed by Adna and her visitor. Since she is five years older than Adna, she was already familiar with Mom Rona and Papa Mar.  Adna told her that Mom Rona had been gone for over  thirty years but still her memories are still so recent.  She told her friend that Mom Rona in the hospital told Adna, ¡®¡¯we will go home on Monday. ¡®¡¯  Adna excitedly replied, ¡®¡¯Mom, I will buy you a wheelchair and I will be the one to assist you when you go outside the house.¡¯¡¯  Sunday, when there was a biggest festivity where almost all contingents participate on a parade as they would be dancing on the streets wearing different costumes, prevented the vehicles to pass by the area along the hospital.  Adna was asked to buy medicines for  Mom  Rona in a distant hospital and she needed to walk so far.   When Adna went back she was still walking bringing the medicines.  When Adna arrived, the room of Mom Rona¡¯s hospital were full of doctors, they were trying to revive Mom Rona.  Adna could not understand the situation.  She was expecting Mom Rona to go home the next day with a very good condition.  She did not expect something else meant to what she said that they would go home on Monday.  The friend of Adna listened closely to Adma telling about what happened to her mom as if  it happened only yesterday.


    Adna also told her that it is normal to experience difficulties in life because no one is exempted to carry burdens in life.  Adna knew it is too hard for her friend to handle having a teenager daughter with mental illness.  She also does not know how to pray, but she is a genuine person.  Adna told her to just don¡¯t think about the illness of her daughter, but to give her support to treat her as a normal daughter, bring her to the mall and  give her all the love and support she needs.  Adna just inspired her because it is clear to Adna that she is almost giving up.  She even asked Adna, ¡®¡¯why good people die early and bad people live long life?¡¯¡¯  Adna told her, ¡®¡¯if you can see weeds surrounding vegetables, for sure you would pick up the vegetable which you can use and not  the weeds because it  is  not useful.  It is just like God, he picks up the good person because he is useful, not  the bad people who are not useful¡¯¡¯.  Adna¡¯s friend understood what Adna would like to explain to her in a simple way.  Adna¡¯s friend was a former neighbor of the three candle vendors whom Adna and Al helped for many years already.  She could not believe that Adna would spend time with those kind of persons.  Adna told her, ordinary people and professionals are all alike, they are human beings and must be treated with respect and sincerity.  Adna told her that two of them died during her birthday.  The same thing happened also just like Mom Rona wherein Adna brought her medicines and she died already.  The candle vendor also, asked for porridge from her sister as she could no longer wait for Adna as someone had already pick her up.  She even told her sister, ¡®¡¯tell Adna I could no longer wait for her as I am already going¡¯¡¯.  Another experience also of Adna was also bringing medicines for Uncle Mike, but it was no longer used because he died already.  Adna told her, ¡®¡¯there are situations that is really out of your control, but you will understand later the reason why?¡¯¡¯  Adna continued, ¡®¡¯just do things you want to do while you can still walk, see and hear, never waste the time which you still hold¡¯.¡¯¡¯ Adna also shared to her about Azia¡¯s classmate who really could not forgive her father because they were abandoned for the longest time.  When Adna told her, ¡®¡¯this is for your own benefit to make you a whole person, you have to do it while there is still  time because you would not know if your father¡¯s life is short.¡¯¡¯   Few months later, her father died, but he was already forgiven by his daughter.  There are things that you do not understand, there are times when you want things to happen but it is not realized.  You feel dismayed, and sometimes you fear to expect things which is not certain to happen.  Sometimes, good things happen unexpectedly.  You are caught in a surprise.  As they would say just go with the flow.  Keep on praying and have intimate relationship with God.  Just do good things to other people and the good deeds will become a blessing to someone you love especially your children.  Adna¡¯s friend after discussing things started to show her smile.  She promised Adna that she would attend the Holy Mass.  Adna told her,  ¡®¡¯if you did not commit abortion, then you have nothing to fear.  Abortion is the greatest sin because you kill a defenseless child.  You also hinder the mission of that child in this life.¡¯¡¯  She answered,  ¡®¡¯I never committed such an offense of aborting a child in my womb.¡¯¡¯  Adna told her, then you have nothing to fear, God will always answer your prayer.¡¯¡¯  Adna added, ¡®¡¯another sin is when a good person just cross his arms and do nothing.¡¯¡¯  Faith without action is dead, one good deed each day is praising God.    Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Adna then asked Azia to buy food for her friend.  Azia had met the mentally ill daughter of her mom¡¯s friend.  As a nurse, she knew that she still respond so there is really a big chance for her to recover.  Al the second also agreed to Azia as he is also engaged in similar situations of patients when he took up Bachelor of Science in Psychology.  Lex also assessed her condition as just a minor  mental illness and family support is of great help.  Lex had also her masters in Psychiatry.    Adna told her friend, ¡®¡¯never lose hope, if there would be times when we become weak and hopeless which is called dark times, pray and then think of an inspiration and you can move on.¡¯¡¯


    Azia arrived bringing the foods, Adna also joined her in eating and also Al joined them both.  She told Adna, ¡®¡¯you are so blessed with your children because you really take good care of them.¡¯¡¯  Adna answered, ¡®¡¯I just passed all the ways that Papa Mar and Mom Rona raised me but they are more compassionate than me, especially Azia.  There were many times I wanted to stop serving other people during the times when I was sick and had no work, but Azia with the help of her friends who are  just like my children, lifted me up.  I could not sustain all my works without the help and support of my whole family.  My husband Al is a gift from God to me.

 Chapter 28

    Adna is so happy today, job well done.  The high priest with another priest would come to Adna¡¯s place to celebrate the Holy Mass for the feast day.  There would be huge crowd as it is to be celebrated at 5:00 p.m.  Adna went early to the chapel to see if the decoration is already done by the altar designer.  There were already new curtains, so nice curtains with crystals and the color of the cloth is gold.  When Adna saw that the decorations were not new, she then went straight to the officer of the chapel to accompany her to the one who would sponsor for the decorations on the feast day.  Adna went to the bakeshop owner who was assigned for the flowers at the altar.  She said, ¡®¡¯ I already gave last night the money for the flowers.¡¯¡¯  Adna replied, ¡®¡¯but it is almost noontime and no one changed the last night¡¯s decoration.¡¯¡¯  Then Adna went back to chapel and stayed there all time.  She started cleaning the floor of the chapel, then wash all the chairs with water and scented liquid soap.   Someone volunteered to help Adna in cleaning the surroundings of the chapel.  Then so many flowers were brought and the designer started to put the beautiful curtains.  Adna bought the two decorators soft drinks and big loaves of bread.  The decorators were so happy.   The flowers were too many, so Adna noticed the time was running so fast.  She then started to arrange the chairs, and also prepared for the offertory.  Adna wanted too many would offer.  The offerings were fruits wrapped with colored cellophane and also Adna brought small white envelopes for those who were not able to buy fruits, they could offer money instead.  Adna told them, no need to put big amount of money for as long as they could offer, that would be okay.


    Then the priest arrive first, then Adna welcomed him, the priest took the hand of Adna and kissed.  Both Adna and the priest had their widest smile, just like the way Papa Mar would smile when Adna was patiently waiting for him from work bringing the boots of Papa Mar to evade the floody pathway to their home during the heavy rains.  Then came the high priest with a big smile to Adna.  Adna kissed the high priest and welcome him.  When the Holy Mass started there were not so many people.  Adna had distributed to her friends and relatives the small white envelope and Adna wanted that each family member would offer.  Adna also prepared three small white envelope for Lex, Azia , and Al the second.    When the Holy Mass started, the organist really made it so nice, when  the choir started to sing.  When Adna looked at her left side, she was amazed there were already many people, when she turned looking at her back still so many people and also at her right, many people could no longer sit because there were  no more chairs, more than a hundred people were already standing.  When offertory time, Adna stood up to arrange the offerers.  Lex, Azia, and Al the second also lined up to bring their offerins..  The priest, high priest and the acolytes could not believe,  the offerers were too many.  Adna felt so happy that everyone she asked to offer, really listened to her.


    After the Holy Mass, Adna gave the stipend to the high priest (monsignor).  Then a newly built house in front of the chapel had to be blessed.  Adna brought the two priests to that house.  It is a multi million house with a beautiful rooftop.  The high priest did the blessing as requested by the house owner.  After the blessing, a long dining table was full of foods.  There were also lots of fruits.  Adna told the high priest and the other priest,  ¡®¡¯we will be going to another house, then to another house, they are also preparing foods for you both¡¯¡¯.  The high priest enjoyed talking with the male owner of the house, so Adna told the other priest, ¡®¡¯let¡¯s go to the other house, let us just leave monsignor here, the we will come back¡¯¡¯  The priest went with Adna to another house and his second time to eat.  Adna told him, ¡®¡¯we will go to another house, they are also waiting for you there.¡¯¡¯  He answered, ¡®¡¯I am too full, I can no longer eat again¡¯¡¯.  The monsignor together with Azia went to the third house, Adna  with the priest also went there but they did not eat.  Adna and the priest were already so full.  Adna told Al, Lex and Al the second to eat at home as they also have bounty of foods.  After dinner with the priests they would go straight to the near hotel and sleep there because at home it would be too noisy as there would be loud sound near their house for the feast celebration.  From the third house, the two priests would pass by Adna¡¯s place, so Adna told the Monsignor, those are my banana plants already with fruits.  When Adna opened the gate, the two priests were amazed with Adna¡¯s garden, with the ground covered with frog grass and the sides were planted with roses.  At the corner were the grapes grown by Al the second, the coconut trees filled with fruits.  The monsignor stepped back and said, ¡®¡¯wow¡¯¡¯.  Then Adna told Azia to go  inside the house and get thet ripe bananas that she harvested  last week.  Then Adna told the Monsignor, ¡®¡¯I would build a house for the aged on that side and when you are too old, you can live here.¡¯¡¯  The Monsignor was struck with what Adna said to him.  Then Adna said goodbye and thank you to all of them.  They all have to prepare the things they need to bring for their one night sleep at the hotel where there is no noise..   Adna told Al, ¡®¡¯make sure you leave lots of food and water to the cats.¡¯¡¯  Al answered, ¡®¡¯the cats eat plenty already¡¯¡¯.  Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    At home , Adna have plenty of cats.  At first there were only two cats, named ¡®¡¯tambok¡¯¡¯ and ¡®¡¯daut¡¯¡¯.  The most loved by Azia and Lex is ¡®¡¯tambok¡¯¡¯ a white cat with black spots.  While ¡®¡¯daut¡¯¡¯ is a gray cat.  Tambok has a big round eyes and he is really fat.  Daut is not fat and have a tiger look eyes.  Tambok is given by Azia most of the time, corned beef, while Lex would always give tambok , roasted chicken, whole chicken. Tambok is their favorite.  The other cat daut would like to go near to Lex and Azia but lesser time is spent for daut.  One time the electric lights were turned off, and it was daut  who unplug the electric wire from the socket. Both Lex and Azia noticed that daut was intelligent.  Both tambok and daut stayed inside the house with a big space but when Lex developed allergy, the doctor told Adna to put the cats outside of the house.  It was too difficult for Adna to  put the cats outside right away because Azia would not like them to be unsafe outside as other cats from neighbors would come and quarrel tambok.  Azia told Adna, ¡®¡¯mom, just wrap tambok with cloth and let tambok still stay inside the house.¡¯¡¯  Al decided to make a small house of tambok at the garden.  Azia felt happy and most of the time she goes to the place of tambok.

 Chapter 29

    Al and Adna went to the mountain of mercy in the next city going to the north.  Adna was always invited every  month of May for the congress of the Divine Mercy crusaders.  When the person who was having the mission of  propagating the Devotion to the Divine Mercy died, Adna no longer attended in their annual congress.  It was sometime in 1996 when Adna happened to listen to the testimony at the church , it is not the Church where Adna served but when she knew that there will be crusaders of the Divine Mercy, Adna was interested to listen to the testimony.  Both Al and Adna went there late in the afternoon way back in 1996.  The testimony was  when he was brought to the hospital and it was a Friday.  Immediately, he was brought to the intensive care unit as his condition was too bad.  There was already a sticky blood that came out from his mouth about a spoonful.  Then the doctor told the family to prepare because he was already pronounced clinically dead, but the apparatus were not yet removed as it was the wish of the wife.  On the other hand, Stanly, found a light pointing to him.  His body followed the light.  Then he realized he was already in a beautiful garden the ground covered with grass and the roses were too beautiful and much bigger in size than he had seen on earth.  He thought to himself, ¡®¡¯this could be the garden of Eden¡¯¡¯.  Then Jesus came and the clouds became  like a big screen.  His life was shown and for all the good deeds it was shown too fast, and every time he committed sin, like drinking hard drinks at the chapel, his lips were  closed up and it was shown  to slow motion, focusing his lips then drinking the hard liquor.  Then showing fast again the good deeds.  Slow motion again when it is doing bad or committing sin.  Jesus then told him, ¡®¡¯go back to the world, you still have a mission.  Renovate the chapel in your place and don¡¯t make it a garage for the vehicle.   He told Stanly to spread His mercy to the world as time is too near for His second coming.  Ask them to pray the Divine Mercy chaplet, Jesus said.¡¯¡¯ Stanly knew that his neigbor used the chapel as his garage.  Then Stanly saw his body lying on bed at the hospital.  Then he slowly moved but could not easily get up as there were many attachments to his bodies.  When the nurse saw him, the nurse ran out of the intensive care unit and then she informed the doctor.  The doctor then came in, and checked all his vital signs which became normal.  Stanly¡¯s wife who went home to get his polo shirt and all the necessary documents in preparation of his funeral came back.  It was Sunday when Stanly came back to life. He was confined Friday.  He wanted to check out and when he asked for his hospital bill, he was shocked with the huge amount he incurred.  Stanly told them, ¡®¡¯now this time I could die with this amount.¡¯¡¯  With the help of his rich friends, he was able to be discharged from the hospital.  Later, the doctor became a priest.


    He told his family about his near death experience having encountered Jesus at the garden.  Staly now wanted to start the renovation of the chapel.  The door of the chapel is now having a heart design in order to prevent the vehicle to get inside the chapel.  He had the biggest problem, he had no money.  Through a dream, he received instructions where he  would go, then the renovation was finally complete.  Stanly again was instructed through his dream that he would go to someone and picked up all the chaplets of the Divine Mercy.    He would go to different churches  in the whole country then he was also asked to go to Australia, America, and Brazil.  When Stanly applied for a U.S. Visa, he was denied because he had no money in the bank.  He was already interviewed on the radio and it so happened that one Senator heard his testimonies and he helped Stanly get a multiple entry visa.  Before he died seventeen years after he came back to life, he was able to go to different countries to spread the Divine Mercy Devotion.  After Stanly gave his testimony, Adna went near him, then Stanly offered Adna that he would go  to Adna¡¯s house and also visit the chapel near Adna¡¯s place to give his testimony to the people in Adna¡¯s place.  It was scheduled two days later, so Adna had the chance to invite her neighbors and prepare also foods.  There were many who came, and after that the rich friend of Stanly asked Adna to join them in their mission.  Adna replied,¡¯¡¯ my children are still young, I cannot leave them.¡¯¡¯  Al and Adna after receiving the letter of invitation for the annual congress where people from different parts of the country would come and it is always held in the school gymnasium near Stanly¡¯s house..  Adna and Al would go to Stanly¡¯s house and they became friends.  Stanly had thirteen children.  After he came back to life, the 12th and 13th children were born.  Adna learned that the wife of Stanly  is the cousin of a priest who was Azia¡¯s godfather..  The more they became close friends.  Then the doctor who treated Azia, who helped many priests and nuns for free is also their close friend and she even was the one who became the principal sponsor when Stanly¡¯s eldest son got married.  Stanly and his wife would also distribute during Christmas bundles of joy and Adna was amazed, it reaches up to his ceiling.  They would give to at least 500 people while Adna only was able to give to 50 indigents with five kilos of rice  each person, a beautiful hand down clothes from the classmates of Adna who were doctors.  Adna told Al, ¡®¡¯what we give is only ten percent of what Stanly is giving¡¯.¡¯¡¯  Adna told Al, ¡®¡¯of all the servants of God, I think I am the poorest.¡¯¡¯  Al just smiled to his wife Adna.  When Adna who became a victim of land grabbing, had to demolish the house where she and her family lived, the house of Mom Rona and Papa Mar,  Adna called Stanly to pray for her.  During the legal battle, Adna was suffering severe bleeding for ten years.  Azia and Lex were in their Nursing studies which was very expensive.  Uncle Rom who protected Adna was already sick and had Alzheimer¡¯s disease then when the case was called for final and executory, Adna¡¯s cousin, the younger son of Uncle Rom could not get inside the  courtroom as he had no formal representation of Adna as he was not the legal counsel of Adna but his father  Uncle Rom.  Adna stood before the judge and she prayed to God that she would be given strength and would not cry as she would feel much shame  if she cries.  God heard Adna¡¯s prayers, she did not cry and even told the judge, ¡®¡¯thank you for this significant experience.¡¯¡¯  Adna had to destroy the house and build another house using the old materials.  It was too painful to Adna as for Lex, Azia, and Al the second to experience the biggest discomfort in their life.  They had no roof, no windows, no cemented floor.  There were many times that the bats would come in to their opened walls covered only with thick plastic.  Al would not sleep and he would stay outside to protect his family as their house is near the pathway  where people would pass by.  Up to this time, when Adna remembers this situation, she would cry.  She does not want that Lex and Azia would have bitterness and hatred in their hearts.  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    After checking out from the hotel lunchtime, they all went to the mall as it is too hot yet to go home.  Adna looked at her watch, it is past 1:00 p.m. she still has time to go the Divine Mercy Chapel located at the mountain called Mountain of Mercy.  She asked Lex to be responsible for Azia and Al the second.  They would all go home as they could not go with their mom and dad because the vehicle is only motorcycle and they would climb up to the mountain where the chapel is located.  It was a long journey riding a motorcycle where both Adna and Al were riding at the back of the driver.  They went up and down until they reached the chapel.  Right in time and the sun was not fierced.  Then when the mass almost started, Adna was surprised, it was the monsignor who came to their chapel on the feast day last Saturday who would officiate the mass of the Divine Mercy Chapel..Adna told Al,  ¡®¡¯I would greet the monsignor¡¯¡¯.  She stood up and went to the monsignor and kissed him.  The monsignor was so happy to see Adna and Al.   After many years when Adna stopped attending the congress because Stanly already died, now Adna has come back and was able to reach to the mountain of mercy together with Al.  ¡®¡¯come back to me with all your heart, don¡¯t let fear keep us apart¡¯¡¯, a beautiful song shared by the monsignor during his homily.  God always waits until you come back with His open arms ready to embrace.  Come back to me with all your heart, don¡¯t let fear keep us apart.  To her heart Adna speaks, ¡®¡¯i am here Lord, with my husband, I did not fear the difficult and most risky journey just to come back to you my GOD¡¯¡¯

 Chapter 30

    Today, Adna is busy preparing for Aunt Felip¡¯s birthday tomorrow.  Aunt Felip will be 105 years old.  She died in 2002 of January 12, so she is 17 years physically absent in the life of Adna.  Aunt Felip is never forgotten, she will have her birthday cake with inscription of ¡®¡¯Happy 105th birthday, Aunt Felip.¡¯¡¯  When Adna was a child, she slept beside Aunt Felip and she taught Adna the poem, ¡°¡±Oh look at the moon, she is shining up there, Oh mother she looks like a lamp in the air, one day she goes smaller and shapes like a bow and then she grows bigger and shapes like an O.¡¯¡¯  Adna also learned the song, ¡®¡¯bunny, bunny, do not run away, I¡¯ll give you grass and clover, if you will only stay.¡¯¡¯  When Adna had children, she taught Lex, Azia, and not much with Al the second because  Al the second had not pronounce well some letters like the letter R for orange is pronounced as L so he says olange.  Lex and Azia are both fluent of the poem and the song Aunt Felip taught.  Both of them including Adna still memorize the song and the poem.  Al the second slept with Aunt Felip, until she got sick, Al the second already slept with Adna and Al.


    When Al the second took his Licensure Exams as a Psychometrician, it was scheduled for two successive days.  Adna would stay all day together with some parents who also support their children taking the examination.  Adna had the chance to speak to a mother whose son had to bring from the government licensure department staff to do the writing in his answer sheet.  His son was permitted to have someone to write all his answers because he just had a motorcycle accident and his both hands were still wounded wrapped with bandage.  He also had fresh wounds on his forehead.  Then  she started telling Adna about her story.  Both Adna and her  were sitting on the same table but were sitting on the opposite side.  She told Adna that her husband was working in one of the countries in Europe.  He met an accident there, his face was totally damage.  He was confined in the hospital for three months.  She thought she could not visit her husband in the hospital considering the expense in going there.  She just call to get some updates of her husband¡¯s condition.  Three months later, her husband after long confinement went home.  Their three children including the one taking the examination who just had a motorcycle accident, were always going to the church praying for their father.  Their prayers were answered.  Their father, after three months confinement in the hospital had finally come home.  When her husband arrived, he immediately told his wife that they would go to a church in the next province.  She asked her husband why?  She also told him, ¡®¡¯tell me the story why we would go to the church in the province.  Herr husband started to tell, ¡®¡¯When I was at the intensive care unit in that hospital, I was walking and as I walk,   the ground started to break, then I would jump in order not to be trapped on the broken part of the ground.  I continued to walk and then I noticed that the mountains at the side were turning around.  As I continued to jump, walk, still the ground keeps on breaking.  When I reach at a still mountain, meaning it  was not turning around, I saw people in a procession.  I could identify some and they are the Saints.  Then at their middle, there was a beautiful lady bringing three roses.  The beautiful lady asked me,¡¯¡¯why do you still want to live?¡¯¡¯  I answered, ¡°¡±I want to see my wife and my children¡¯¡¯.  Then the three roses were clashed with a loud sound and I saw the petals dropping on the ground.  Then I woke up from being a comatose,  I was awakened with the loud sound of the clashed three roses.¡¯¡¯  When I opened my eyes, I saw the doctor beside me.  I was in coma for almost three months.¡¯¡¯  Then he said to his wife, ¡®¡¯that is why I want to go to a church in the next province to see the beautiful lady, Blessed Virgin Mary,  I want to thank her.¡¯¡¯  The wife prepared immediately for their travel by ship to the next province.  They have some friends there because their business was motorcycle parts and she used to buy stocks from that province.  She did not know which church they would go as there are many churches in that province.  The city where Adna lived belongs to that province.  One friend suggested names of the churches, until they finally had chosen one.  The church is Our Lady of Guadalupe wherein an apparition was in Mexico with lots of rose petals.  The church is so big, so as they walked towards the Altar, her husband suddenly cried on the floor like a little baby.  She told his wife, ¡®¡¯She is the one I saw while I was in comatose.  She is the one who asked me ¡°¡±why do you want to live?¡¯¡¯ I answered, ¡°¡±I want to see my wife and my children.¡¯¡¯  She saved me, after she clashed the three roses she was holding and I saw the petals falling into the ground.  The sound I heard made me awake after long time sleep in my  comatose condition.. The wife said, ¡®¡¯ all the expenses were paid by the company and even if I would go to that country they would pay for me, but I did not know.  Anyway , my husband is here now and I thank the Blessed Virgin Mary for saving my husband.¡¯¡¯  From that time he came home, her husband never went back to work in another country.  They continued their small business in their place.  Before the examinations, she and her children were praying and then they felt something wrong.  They continued to pray and then they were informed that her son had an accident.  He was driving his  motorcycle when he slipped and was out of balance.  He was filing his application to take the exams and it was good enough that there were no other vehicles next to him when he fall down the street.  His hands were affected and had some wounds on his forehead and when the CT scan was  done, there was no blood clot on his head.  He was determined to take the exam despite his condition where he was not completely healed.  He was given assistant to write down his answers.  It was a multiple choice and the answer sheet must be properly shaded.  Then later, Adna knew that he passed in the examinations.Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    When Azia also had her nursing licensure examinations,  Adna had the chance to talk with a lady judge.  Her only son was also taking the licensure exams.  At first Adna thought she was not a lawyer nor a judge,  Adna thought she was a Dean in  a University.  She was wearing red for good luck and her complexion was so vibrant with the color of her red blouse.  Her husband also was there, a professor in the law department in one of the Universities in Adna¡¯s city.  The lady judge shared to Adna that not her father was a victim of land grabbing but her uncle.  Her father asked his children to study law and become a lawyer in order to have knowledge in protecting their rights.  No one was interested, so she decided to become a lawyer and eventually became a judge, a religious judge.  She told Adna, ¡®¡¯it is a must to have a lawyer in the family¡¯¡¯  So Adna was convinced, she asked Azia to enrol Law.  She also asked Lex to take up Law but she preferred to get masteral in Psychiatry.  Al the second who already finished Psychology, was also asked by Adna but jokingly Adna told Al the second, ¡®¡¯your handwriting is not so legible so for sure the judges in the supreme court may fail you during the bar exams, I cannot even read clearly your handwriting, how much more for them who are quite old already.¡¯¡¯  Then Azia and Lex just all laughed.  Later, Lex also studied law together with Azia.

 Chapter 31

    A very special day today, Aunt Felip¡¯s 105th birth anniversary.  ¡°¡±Happy Birthday Aunt Felip¡¯¡¯, Adna said.  Just a simple family celebration with the children Lex, Azia and Al the second and most of all Al who had served Aunt Felip when she was bedridden for almost three years.  There is a birthday cake today.  People always asked, ¡®¡¯what is the relevance of celebrating birthdays?  What makes it very important when in fact year after year the one celebrating gets older and older.¡¯¡¯  Why does the celebrant spent much money to let other people join the celebration most likely having a sumptuous dinner?  That is a question heard by Azia and relayed to her mom.  Adna explained to her, birthday celebration is very important not only to the person celebrating but to the persons who raised her and loved her so much.  It is a way of thanksgiving that year after year is a joyous one because you are such a beautiful person in the hearts of your love ones.  Only very few are so blessed to have that kind of priority because in some families, they are individualistic, there is competition and sibling rivalry and parents are so busy with their careers and circle of friends who never sees what is really important above all to never miss every joyful celebration of each family member.  It is also the burning love which sparks and always connect with those already have long time departed in this lifetime, but still this becomes a burning flame which could not be put off because the connection is so strong in the heart and mind of those who love her/him.  The joyous memories is never ending it continuous to go on and on and will be passed on to the generations to come because it has long been observed and practiced.  Connectedness in the heart and mind called the BURNING LOVE is the second secret of life.  First you were grateful with the one who took care of you when you were still an infant, until become a child, an adolescent, a young lady, and then a mother to good children.  The burning love is the fruit of GRATITUDE.  Adna remembered a young priest who was assigned to work with her in her first and biggest free medical clinic.  He said, ¡®¡¯the child is the father of the man.¡¯¡¯  Who were you when you were a child, that is who you become when you grow up.  Good people are those who belong to the one who took care of them who gave their best to give the most beautiful upbringing.  There are ups and downs in life, there are good times and bad times, success and failures, from being a well to do to being  poor and with everything to nothing but these all does not make sense.  What matters the most is the time being together full of laughter against all odds.  It is just like picking up the flowers, where the thorns must be thrown and only keep the roses.  Others say, life is like a bed of roses with thorns, God has given us the gift of intellect and free will, so never lie down on the thorns.  Make time to remove all the thorns and throw them and keep a bed of roses free from its thorns.


    Adna told Azia, what we experienced since you were young we would still continue to do joyfully.  Counting the years makes  us happy, ¡®¡¯Adna said.¡¯¡¯ Tomorrow is also the birthday of the retired judge.  Adna could not cook for his birthday being so tired yet with her week long work preparing the feast in their chapel near the house.  Climbing up to the mountain after a very long journey also makes her not having a good condition to make delicious foods.   For sure Adna would meet the judge to greet him.  The retired judge like and hope Azia would become a good judge.  He assessed Azia as logical and kind.  Azia also is very inquisitive, always willing to learn just like Adna.  When the head priest came to their garden, Adna told him ¡®¡¯monsignor, what is the difference between a Canon lawyer and a Canon expert?  Adna named two priests she knew as Canon lawyers, while recently there are three Canon experts including him, the Monsignor.¡¯¡¯  The head priest very well explained to Adna that being a Canon expert is just that he is knowledgeable about the Canon laws, just like a medical doctor.  While being a Canon lawyer is that they all know the Canon laws.  Azia also when she has questions in her mind, she would also asked the answers.  Al the second has the same character with Azia but he never stops asking.  He has many questions in his mind.  Adna sometimes would say, ¡®¡¯we would discuss about it next time¡¯¡¯.  Lex who is very studious would just learn about new things from her own research but there are times when it is about legal matters she would ask her mom as her mother was exposed to the three lawyers, Uncle Rom and his two sons who were also lawyers.  Adna was with them in her University years.  The three children of Adna have one thing in common, they like so much Adna¡¯s salad made of jelly and ripe mangoes.  When they consumed two small salad cups, Al already consumed more than five cups.  Another food they also like is the mango float made of crushed Graham biscuits with ripe mangoes then filled with cream.  Al the second who is the only son loves to cook.  He wanted to become a chef, but since it is not a Bachelor course, Adna told him that he could learn cooking through experience.  Adna told him, ¡®¡¯I just watched Aunt Felip cooking beef steak, and sweet and sour fish and I learned and can cook perfectly the taste like Aunt Felip¡¯s cooking.  Al the second  became passionate with cooking and there are times when he would just experiment, at first he would not get the right taste then the next time he cooks, it is already good.  Another hobby of Al the second is gardening. Last year, his grapes had already fruits, then when he learned that the grape plant bought by Adna and Al during the plant exhibits at the mall were not seedless, Al the second ordered from another province, variety of grapes.  These grapes are still young and hopefully after a year there will be lots of fruits, this time seedless grapes.  One time Adna discovered, Al the second sent money to a man who has a garden in another province and it was not a small amount of money.  He did not tell his mom that from his savings, he trusted the man and sent him advance payment for all his orders.  When Adna had the chance to clean the back pack of Al the second, she saw the receipt of the money he sent.  Adna was doubtful of the transaction, the money was sent many months already and those packages which are local would take only a week but it has been three months but no single plant nor seed that Al the second received.  She asked Al the second about it but Al the second defended the man who received his money, he told Adna. ¡®¡¯it took him long time because the plants died and he needs to plant again.¡¯¡¯  Adna said to Al the second, ¡®¡¯that is not good, you give too much trust to a stranger.  He always make alibis, forget about the money but never do it again,  you can still order but must be cash on delivery¡¯¡¯.  Al the second just listened to his mom.  Al who also learned just told Al the second, ¡®¡¯don¡¯t  worry, it¡¯s just money.¡¯¡¯  Adna tried to contact the man, and he promised he would return the money a week later, but almost a month no  refund was received.  Adna sent him a message that it was not fair and just to her son Al the second, and Adna would already find remedy may it be in a legal way.  Al the second slowly talked to his mom Adna, ¡®¡¯mom, the man sent me a message, he will just replace another plant.¡¯¡¯  Adna just forgot about being mad to the man, to her mind she would already inform and ask help from  the city legal head who later worked with her in the free legal clinic.  A month later, Al the second received, three small branches of grape plants.  Al the second tried to at peace with her mom and said, ¡®¡¯mom these grapes are very expensive¡¯¡¯  Adna just smiled to her son Al the second.  She knew he would learn from his experience.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

 Chapter 32

    Lex just want to have a break, she wants to have a vacation.  Most of the time there are routinary works to be done that could drain and needs to be rejuvenated.  Many times they  only had staycation, no need to go to distant places, just go to a near hotel and check in for two days and one night or three days and two nights.  Adna thought that Lex might be used to it already because everytime there is celebration near the house and with so much noise, the nearest hotel is already a second home for the family of Adna.  It is now an idea for Adna also to prepare to see new places not necessarily outside the country but just within the country.  Azia just follow what her mom would decide where to go.  She just enjoy it together with her younger brother Al the second.  Lex has on her bucket list where she would want to go but Adna would always tell her if you go on your own or with Azia, who will prepare your foods, who will drive  when you go somewhere else.  Adna seems to be overprotective to both Lex and Azia even though they are already grown ups but Adna really make sure that her children are always safe, and she and Al are always within their  reach when they need anything.  Al the second always stick to his mom so Adna don¡¯t worry about him.


    Last January, Lex best friend came with her cousin.  They arrived midnight and all the family of Adna had to go to the airport to pick them both because they are all girls.  Adna felt the responsibility of the friend of Lex for their safety while they were in the country.  When they arrived, they went straight to the hotel in the next city where Adna lived and after the hotel staff had brought them to their hotel room and their luggage, the driver was waiting outside to send Adna¡¯s family back home.  After few hours, Lex had to go to the hotel to check if they already had breakfast provided by the hotel.  To make sure, Adna had asked Lex to bring pack lunch for her best friend and her cousin.  Almost lunchtime, all the family, Adna, Al, Azia and Al the second went to the hotel in order to have lunch with Lex and the two other ladies.  They went to a restaurant at the mall just across the hotel.  After having lunch, few hours later, the driver was already waiting outside of the mall as they would check in to a resort hotel at the city where the airport was located.  A very nice resort hotel with a beautiful swimming pool.  Al and Adna had to stay at the pool side while Azia, Lex and Al the second had to go up to the rooms in that resort hotel.  One room for Lex bestfriend and her cousin while the other room was for Lex and Azia.  When they finished arranging their brought luggage, they all went down to Adna and Al as they would go to a restaurant  located on the sea waters.  The skies at night can be directly seen with all the glittering stars like diamonds in the sky and also the moon which according to the poem of Aunt Felip shapes like an ¡®¡¯O¡¯¡¯.  The wind from the see is so refreshing and the foods are delicious but quite expensive.  The driver also joined having dinner with them and they were always having laughter as the cousin of Lex bestfriend is very talkative and funny.  After they had dinner they went back at the resort hotel but this time the persons in every room limits only to two persons and it was a very expensive room compared to the hotel near Adna¡¯s place and also the hotel in the next city near the mall where Adna, Al , Lex, Azia, Lex bestfriend and her cousin had lunch.   Al, Adna and Al the second had asked the driver to drive them home.  In one room Lex and Azia, in the other room Lex bestfriend and her cousin.  It was the first time that Lex and Azia were on their own without Adna, Al, and Al the second sleeping with them.  Adna just instructed Lex, to communicate through telephone every now and then as the place was far from their house.  In the morning, Azia and Lex enjoyed the free breakfast at the resort hotel.  Azia told her mom through telephone that Lex ate a lot of hot dogs.  Adna would not like them to eat a lot of hot dogs because it has preservatives.  Azia then said, ¡®¡¯the foods are just ordinary breakfast like hot dog, sunny side up eggs, and hot chocolate with garlic rice or plain rice.¡¯¡¯  Adna prepared food that she would bring going to the hotel but Azia told her not to bring because the corkage is very expensive for each food.  Adna still brought foods, she just placed the foods inside the car and did not bring it to the resort hotel room to avoid paying expensive corkage.  The driver could eat too and would not go hungry.  Adna asked the driver that they would go to the mall as on the next day, Lex best friend would celebrate her birthday.  Adna bought a red blouse for her, bought a nice birthday card where Adna, Al, Lex, Azia, Al the second would write their birthday messages and Adna also asked the driver to write.  Adna also bought plenty of dried mangoes, few chocolate dried mangoes, crispy banana chips for Lex best friend to bring home to her mother and father, husband, and her sister and her sister¡¯s husband.  Lex best friend was so amazed, she did not expect Adna was that thoughtful for her birthday and for her family back to her home as well.  Her cousin was just staring at Lex best friend and said to Adna, ¡®¡¯mom, she is really your favorite.¡¯¡¯  Adna took off her ring, and told the cousin of Lex best friend, ¡®¡¯I am giving this ring to you.¡¯¡¯  She was so happy and embraced Adna and said, ¡®¡¯this is so nice mom, thank you.¡¯¡¯  Then they all went to a foreign restaurant, most were Thai foods and all of them including the driver enjoyed the food.  Then they went to the airport as early in the afternoon they would fly back home.  The cousin of Lex best friend told to Adna, ¡®¡¯mom, I don¡¯t wanna go home. I want to stay.¡¯¡¯  Adna told her, ¡®¡¯just save money and then come back, if you don¡¯t have enough savings, you can stay in my house.¡¯¡¯  Then Lex best friend, embraced Adna, so her cousin who could not embrace Adna first, embraced Al instead and said, ¡®¡¯thank you dad¡¯¡¯  Then embraced, Lex, Azia, and Al the second.  They were taking pictures, and again the cousin of Lex best friend told Adna while embracing, ¡®¡¯mom I want to stay, I don¡¯t want to go home¡¯¡¯  Adna just smiled and embraced again Lex best fried and greeted her, ¡®¡¯advance happy birthday!  You must wear the red blouse on your birthday.  Every time my children celebrates their birthday, the first thing I do is buy them a red blouse or red dress.  That is for good luck.¡¯¡¯  She answered, ¡®¡¯Sure mom, and thank you so much.¡¯¡¯  Her eyes were teary, so Adna said, ¡®¡¯no crying, just call anytime you come back here.  We will always pick you up at the airport no matter what time it is, and keep you safe while you are here until we send you back home.  Her cousin mispronounced airport with airput, so Adna just joking said, ¡®¡¯airput¡¯¡¯¡¯ and then everybody laughed.  Lex had her loudest laughter.    Saying bye bye with big smiles  to each other.  Then Adna, Al, Lex, Azia, and Al the second went back to the car and told the driver, ¡®¡¯we will go to the mall near our place.¡¯¡¯  Adna did not want to go home right away, she knew that Lex and Azia would feel empty that their friends who are considered family members had just left back to their country.  They stayed long at the mall, enjoy window shopping and ate snacks.  Right in time when they went home after conversing about their experience at the resort hotel the bestfriend of Lex sent a message that they already arrived at the airport in their country.  Adna thanked God for the  privilege of spending time with Lex friends who consider her a mother.  They call Adna ¡®¡¯mom¡¯¡¯ and call Al ¡®¡¯dad¡¯.¡¯¡¯  Azia had great time, as well as Al the second.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

 Chapter 33

    One of the most beautiful part of life is to be a parent.  When it is a prime child, the excitement is up to the sky.  What excites the most is who has familiar face with the baby, the father or the mother or mixed, possibly nose is like the father or eyes are the same with the mother.  Most of the time the first child looks similar to the mother.  They say that the child is intelligent if the mother is intelligent.  Then the second child would look similar with the father and then the third child is already mixed, looks similar  like the father and also  the same  like the mother.  Parents have dreams for their children like sending to an expensive school to get good training, giving the nicest dresses and quite unique toys and giving utmost care in order to be physically fit.  Values are learned in the family and also learned in school.  The first teacher of the children are the parents and also teachers in school are second parents to the children.  As children grew up, parents are optimistic that they become fine young man and woman.  Children who are respectful to parents and other elders.  When parents become weak then the children would become their strength.


    Adna and Al went to the next city to visit a good friend, because Adna promised to give her grape plants,  Al the second has so many grape plants in the garden.  Upon reaching their place, she was not yet around as she accompany her daughter to the hospital for check up.  Her daughter would give birth to her first baby anytime this month.  After an hour waiting she arrived.  When she saw Adna and Al she was delighted.  Adna brought food for her and to her children.  They had been talking about a lot of things and she informed Adna that she would be out of town next week.  Adna told her, ¡®¡¯that¡¯s good that you can visit another place.  When Adna and Al went home,she told Al, ¡®¡¯we will just ride a public vehicle.¡¯¡¯  Then Adna noticed that a neighbor also would ride with them.  Adna asked her, ¡®¡¯where did you come from, why are you in this city?  She used to work in that place in one of the establishments there but due to retrenchments, she had to avail of an early retirement.  To Adna¡¯s mind, she was around not for work.  Her husband is Adna¡¯s Uncle, the younger brother of Gio.  Their house is not too close to Adna¡¯¡¯s house but when they encountered problem, she would ask help from Adna.  Her only daughter would also get the chance to visit Adna and told about their relationship problem with her mother.  Her mother is addicted to casino with her friends.  When she asked Adna for help, Adna had her second thought because she has a vice going to casino.  According to her, she built houses for rent in order to shoulder the expense of her husband having a dialysis for kidney problem.  When her husband got sick, her three children including the youngest and the only girl who visited Adna never help in taking care of her husband and also did not give them money for the hospitalization of their father.  What gives them the support for medication is the income she received in the house rentals in her place.    She sound so responsible but the fact that she has a problem, like the expense for dialysis is already lifetime, yet she still spend money for casino.  She could have save it for medications, but to gamble at the casino is not just leisure but a big waste of money and she would become addicted to gambling.


    Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    She told Adna that recently she quarrelled with her daughter because of the bad smell of her cats and dogs.  She told Adna that she told her daughter why she did not ask permission that she would extend her house, she is still alive and the property is hers.  Her daughter destroyed her  house as she would transfer to another place.  She blamed her husband who always favor his daughter every time they quarrel.  Adna just listened to her and when Adna was about to pay her fare, she insisted to pay for herself and her companion friend.  So Adna just paid the fare for Al and herself.  Adna then asked her, ¡®¡¯why did you not play at the casino near our place, why do you need to to go to the casino at the next city?  Adna was too concerned why she left her husband who is sick if no children are taking care of him too.¡¯¡¯  She answered, ¡®¡¯I play there too, but my friend who will also play at the casino lives in the next city.¡¯¡¯  Adna was thinking of what she heard from her daughter talking about her mother who is already addicted to gambling.  She warned Adna not to believe her mother because she is helping her father financially but secretly without the knowledge of her mother as they don¡¯t want that the money will be used in gambling.  Sometimes it is too painful for Adna to say no to her when she asked for help but the daughter was also telling the truth.  She has the capacity to help, her husband works overseas, the wife of her brother also works overseas.  That is why she run out of money because gambling is a game of chance and almost all the time she play at the casino she consume all the money she spent for it.  She never stopped telling Adna about how bad her daughter is.  She even regret why she provided the needs of her daughter growing up.  Many people inside the vehicle closely listened to her.  Adna stayed strong, believing the daughter made Adna aware not to believe her mother who is a gambler.


    She was going to the mall where the casino in their place is located.  Adna knew she still would gamble transferring to another casino, maybe believing it was not lucky in the casino where she played first so she and her friend transfer to another casino to try their luck.  Adna told her, ¡®¡¯we still would like to drop by to another mall in order to eat, so we will disembark first.¡¯¡¯  Adna really wanted to give money for her husband, but she just controlled herself as she knows there is a big possibility she would use it for gambling as she and her friend are heading to a casino in their place.  Adna told Al, ¡®¡¯why is it like that, why she only think of herself and treat her children as her enemies?¡¯¡¯  why she prefer a friend who is like her, a gambler.  While eating at the mall, Al told Adna, ¡®¡¯you have to hold your heart, not to help right away because it falls into a wrong hand.¡¯¡¯  When Adna arrived home, she told Lex and Azia about it.  Lex also believed what the daughter was saying.  When her mother quarrels her, the father would always be at her side to defend her, so it is clear that she is doing good to her father not necessarily informing her mother who is becoming irresponsible as a parent and a wife.  Then Lex told her mother Adna, ¡®¡¯mom, you have a new bag, it is nice.¡¯¡¯  Adna said, ¡®¡¯yes and there are so many parts inside my bag, I hope this will be filled with money.¡¯¡¯  They both laughed, while Al who heard Adna saying that had made a comment, ¡®¡¯I won¡¯t stop you in helping especially saving life, but you have to be careful not to be carried away with what they say just to convince you, not all people are good.¡¯¡¯  Adna replied, ¡®¡¯yes, I know and thank you for your advice.¡¯¡¯

 Chapter 34

    A lot of celebrations this month of May, the wedding anniversary of Adna and Al, then the same day also is the birthday of Al¡¯s older sister, the one who almost bring Azia out of the country which caused Al and Adna¡¯s big quarrel.  Then the feast of the church where Adna served as a missionary.  Adna when 11 years old to 17  years old served in the church as a catechist where some students of Adna were one year older than her. Good that Adna is tall so her age was not easily noticed being younger than them. Adna also became a reader in the mass held in the church for five years, then became a member of an organization serving the poor members.  It was decided then that Adna would be one of the five delegates for the first World Mission Congress held in the next city where Adna had the privilege of meeting dignitaries from different parts of the world and also the president of the country.  Then after the Congress,  Adna served as a missionary whose work was only to evangelize.   Her evangelization was being part of the Ecumenism where different sects of Christian faith with a Trion God, meaning who believed The God the Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit.  They were composed of different pastors, while instead of having a priest to be part of them, it was decided that Adna would be the one to have a topic which was God the Source of Unity.  Adna was also given the opportunity to re-echo what she learned from the Mission Congress.  Adna aso had the opportunity to talk about marriage, where the wedding ceremony is just the beginning, it is just an hour ceremony, much lesser time than in the reception.  Married life is a calling and for Adna this is the most difficult calling of a person.  Why it is difficult, because it is full of uncertainty, full of surprises, full of trials, full of difficulties.  It is uncertain, what children you would be entrusted by God, it is true that through ultrasound, one can already tell the gender of the baby inside the mother¡¯s womb, but it is not certain if the child would be perfectly healthy in mind, body and spirit.  It is uncertain also if the finances of the couple are stable, no one is certain of the tenurity of his job.  No one can tell that as years come by, any of the couple would not get sick which could affect being efficient of his/her work.  Getting married also carries the responsibility of serving the older ones in the family, the family of the wife and the family of the husband, the so called extended families.  Even relatives who are no longer part of the obligation but sometimes demand for help and other people would consider them a liability.  There are many times when they knew you have good financial standing, they would come almost everyday and then when worst time comes, they would left for good.  There are so many aspects in life which would cause a turmoil.  Family relationships, health, financial, fame, temptations, legal battles that sometime occur internally in the family and also outwardly caused by other people especially those who envy, those who would rob what you have specially in times when weak.  There may be advices from those on your side, but they would not carry all the burdens, they would never own it, specially when it comes to money.  The couple have to be strong together with the children.  No matter what, family will have one beat of heart, one mind, one soul and most of all one God to hold on.  Married life is a day to day journey, holding hands amidst the strong wind which try to dismantle.  There is one song, ¡®¡¯hide me now under your wings, cover me within your mighty hand, when the oceans rise and thunders roar, i will soar with you above the storm, Father you are king over the flood, i will be still and know you are God.  Find rest  my soul, in Christ alone, know His power in quietness and trust.  When the oceans rise and thunders roar, i will soar with you above the storm. Father you are King over the flood, i will be still know You are God.¡¯¡¯Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Then Adna wanted to do something else which would give meaning to her life, answering an extraordinary calling.  She has a calling for being married, then she would also answer another call serving the people.  To Adna, merely speaking and evangelizing needs something more, then that would be serving other people.  She started asking permission from the Bishop who seemed like a grandfather to Lex, Azia, and Al the second.  The good Bishop assigned young priests to work with Adna.  The priests worked respectively in the different acts of mercy which Adna desired in her heart with the full support of her husband Al and children, Lex, Azia, and Al the second.  After few years when priests were transferred to different church and got the chance to meet Adna and her family at the mall, the first question of the priest to Adna, ¡®¡¯are you still serving the poor?¡¯¡¯  Adna answered, ¡®¡¯yes, specially giving rice for Christmas and New Year¡¯s eve.¡¯¡¯  The feeling is so fulfilling.  Though Adna had been through so many trials, just like when she was not yet serving the less fortunate and made sure they have something to eat during the most joyous season, Christmas,  Adna and Al had always four sacks of first class rice for the family.  They could not consume it but it was the practice of Papa Mar to always have a stock of rice more than enough of the families need and consumption, but when Adna shared rice to other people, every meal they need to buy a kilo of rice for their meal.  Al the second is assigned to buy a kilo of rice every day for their meal.  There are many times when Adna would open the small container of their bought rice, and it is empty.  One time, Azia was asked by her classmate, why she did not have rice on her lunchbox?  Azia answered,¡¯¡¯ mom has no more rice at home.¡¯¡¯  At night, the classmate of Azia brought ten kilos of rice and also food for the family¡¯s dinner.  Since Al the second also used nebulizer, and Adna run out of nebule, she also brought ten nebules which are expensive for her as a student yet.  Adna only asked one nebule, but she brought ten nebules.  That classmate is the one who did not have Christmas tree in their house.  Both Azia and Lex are now the godmothers of her two children.  The other classmate of Azia also who knew that Adna run out of rice while Lex was having immersion when she was third year in nursing, she also brought one sack of rice which contained fifty kilograms.  She told Adna, ¡®¡¯i don¡¯t like that you will go hungry¡¯¡¯.  Adna just smiled, she felt the kindness of Azia¡¯s classmate and that is her gratitude of having Adna her volunteer guardian in her life when Adna promised to her mom that she would take care and protect her daughter so Adna told her, ¡®¡¯continue your journey, do not worry about your daughter, I am here for her.¡¯¡¯  Adna felt that when she spoke to her she listened because after her burial, few weeks later, a lot of orders from Adna¡¯s  fashion accessory local buyers gave a lot of orders.


    Adna told Al, ¡®¡¯God want us to feel and truly experience the life of those in need.  No need of much explanation when they come to us because we already know how it felt,  We were on their shoes.¡¯¡¯  Al sometimes would express his shakening faith because he would question why it is too difficult when doing good to others.  Why most bad people are successful and have easy and comfortable lives.¡¯¡¯  Adna shared to him about one old movie shown on television, when the person also asked the same question why bad people are successful and powerful.  Then God answered him, ¡®¡¯what you have seen is not the end of the race, because not a single bad person would be successful at the end of the race.¡¯¡¯

 Chapter 35

    Lex was always told by a foreign priest friend, ¡°life is a jungle out there, you don¡¯t have to be friendly to everybody.¡¯¡¯ The world is too different now a days. Young generations, the so called millenials are not as respectful compared to the young generations during the time of Adna. When older person speak or says something, the young one listened and obey. This time young boys are already very clever, they already know how to smoke cigarettes, and even go into drugs. One night, when Adna went to fetch Azia from work late at night, there were groups of young boys who overthink that they are so strong and can be afraid of, then the police patrol car was coming, one shouted to his peer group, ¡®¡¯run there is a police patrol, run¡¯¡¯. They all ran away far from the policemen having patrol who would capture minors who are still roaming around the streets late at night. Azia just laughed watching the brave young boys afraid to be captured by the police. One time, Adna was sitting at the side of the vendor of cigarettes outside a fast food restaurant which operates 24 hours. Adna was waiting for Azia to arrive from her work as she would go with her friend so Adna just waited for her instead of going to Azia¡¯s workplace. Another group of young boys, so dirty and among them few dirty looking young girls. The cigarette vendor told Adna, ¡®¡¯do not trust them, they have victimized many and had snatched a lot of cellphones.¡¯¡¯ Adna answered, ¡®¡¯really?, but they are too young and looked innocent.¡¯¡¯ She told Adna, ;¡¯¡¯they are here because they would sell their snatched cellphone to me. Later, Adna saw one of the boys, he could be their leader, he took from the pocket of his dirty short pants, and it was a nice cellphone He then showed it to the cigarette vendor and gave his price for the cellphone. Adna now believed what the vendor told her about the group of boys bad doings. Adna started to speak to one of them, the young girl, ¡®¡¯why are you still outside your home when it is too late at night?¡¯¡¯ She answered, ¡®¡¯they are my friends and I just live near this place.¡¯¡¯ Adna inisisted, ¡®¡¯it is not safe for you to be out late at night, you have to go home now and sleep.¡¯¡¯ Adna asked, ¡®¡¯where is your mother?¡¯¡¯ She answered, ¡®¡¯she has not come home yet as she is playing cards with our neighbors.¡¯¡¯ You mean playing cards with bet of money, so your mother is gambling? She answered, ¡®¡¯Yes¡¯. Adna asked, ¡®¡¯where is your father?¡¯¡¯ She answered, ¡®¡¯he is in jail due to drugs.¡¯¡¯ Adna told her, ¡®¡¯go home now and sleep and study hard, your life is full of hopes, do not ruin your life. Make your own life, do not go astray because your parents are no longer taking care of you. You still have your grandmother, right? She said, ¡®¡¯yes, she is the one taking care of me, she is at home and she is asleep.¡¯¡¯ Adna told her, ¡®¡¯you are so blessed someone is loving you, love her in return.¡¯¡¯ Adna continued, ¡®¡¯while your grandmother is still strong, do not waste the time , you have to do your best and become a better person so that when time comes when she is already old and weak, you would also take good care of her in return to her kindness and care to you now.¡¯¡¯ Adna told her, ¡®¡¯make good in your studies and you will for sure become productive when you grow up. Expect the good things coming from you, not from your parents who now neglect you, just pray always.¡¯¡¯


    Some of her group friends were also listening to Adna and then they said, ¡®¡¯we are sleeping at the pavement of the streets. The only means to survive is to steal or snatch cell phones so that we can buy food.¡¯¡¯ Adna replied, ¡®¡¯but why you also use cigarettes, you are still very young, that is not good for your lungs,¡¯¡¯ There is also a department in the government that will house you and they will provide you with food and education.¡¯¡¯ One of them answered to Adna, ¡®¡¯when we were captured by the police, we were brought to that department, but at first delicious food then later days, not delicious food already. They won¡¯t give us money also, it is nice to stay on the streets because there is money.¡¯¡¯ You can leave the department of the government when you finish your studies and have work, it is not all the time of your life that you would live there. Time will come that you will also have your own family, when you marry and also have your own children. You don¡¯t want that your future children will be like you that at your tender age you are now bad on the streets, stealing things, snatching cell phone. They were just staring at each other and the vendor did not buy the cell phone though the price was very cheap. The girl told her friends, ¡®¡¯i am going home now, my grandmother might be looking for me.¡¯¡¯ The other girl told her, ¡®¡¯can i go with you and sleep in your house?¡¯¡¯ Then they went home together. The other boys, were just talking to each other with a low conversation. One of them threw his cigarette which stick was still long. He understood Adna that it is not good for his health, it would develop a lung problem in the soonest time.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    The third secret of life is making use of TIME. It is always the belief of a person that he is strong because he can lean on to another person he looked up to. It is not that way, one must be strong coming from his very own self. All persons pretend to be strong, but deep inside they are also weak. It is the will power and the strong determination of the inner self which must prevail. Remember that you are not alone, God is always with each and every creation. Life is worth living if you have a God in you. God is the only one who would love you no matter what. Just make use of the time he lend to you. Have joyful experiences with family first, not other people first. When Lex was still young, the priest who told her, ¡®¡¯life is a jungle out there, you don¡¯t have to be friendly to everybody¡¯¡¯ had visitors who were also priests, one of them was his superior. Adna and Al left riding a motorcycle to buy pizza pie for all of them. Lex was left and she was surrounded with the visitor priests. One of them asked, ¡®¡¯why most people here are all smiling, they seemed very happy¡¯¡¯. The very young Lex answered, ¡®¡¯Oh they are just smiling outside, but they are crying inside¡¯¡¯. All of them were amazed with what Lex answered. They told Adna about it and Al just smiled. Lex is the favorite of the priest and he taught a lot of things to Lex. When Lex decided to take up nursing, the priest went to four different Universities and talked with the Deans respectively. He then called Lex at home through telephone and instructed her to get a pen and paper and take down the requirements of the University which he thought was good for Lex. He then told Adna, ¡®¡¯that University is not teaching contraception, they are pro-life so Lex must enrol there. Adna also had the chance to have quite a long conversation with the superior priest, he invited Adna to visit their country but Adna said, ¡®¡¯thank you, but I only ask you to pray for my family¡¯¡¯. The priest who is also a columnist in the local newspaper weekly had compiled his newspaper copies and for five year compilation, he brought all during Lex high school graduation. He gave it to Lex as his graduation gift for her. It is a faith column and he also asked Adna to write one time. The priest also was the one who was assigned to find a place for their seminary close to the University where Lex, Azia and Al the second studied. Adna just came to know the priest when she was still working in the government. Adna just offered him help in finding a property near their place. He told Adna that he had been looking for a place all over the country and he had been here for a year but he did not like one. Most a of the agents were somewhat clever so he did not trust. Adna called her friend, a doctor turned to be a licensed realty broker. The priest trusted her and they found a property. The broker had her commission, a big commission. Late at night, the priest called Adna, ¡°¡±I will not release the checks if the broker will not give you any money. She made a lot of money because of you so you have to have a share. Adna told the priest, ¡®¡¯my intention was only to help you find a place where you could build your seminary. I am not thinking of money.¡¯¡¯ The priest said, ¡®¡¯the checks are with me but if she won¡¯t give you, then i will hold the payment. Later, someone called Adna, the broker, and told Adna, ¡®¡¯please accept the little money i would share to you so that the priest will release the check.¡¯¡¯ Adna was the one who referred the priest to her, so she said, ¡®¡¯call the priest and tell him, it¡¯s okay to release the checks¡¯¡¯. Adna shared the money to the younger brother and sister of the broker, and right in time, Adna had to transfer the destroyed house of Papa Mar, she was able to buy some hollow blocks and cement for the foundation of the house. Thank you to the priest, he was not just an ordinary friend of Adna and her family, he was a genuine friend and though he left back to his country, Adna never forgets the time they spent with him while he was still here. Adna would still celebrate his birthday on July 31. Adna used to bring him spaghetti during his birthdays. He was such a conservative priest. He would scold Adna if she takes off her blazer and wear a blouse without sleeves. Adna would say, ¡®¡¯it is too hot and i am sweating and besides my husband Al is with me¡¯¡¯. He answered, ¡®¡¯you don¡¯t know what other men think of you. I must buy you a cover of your shoulder.¡¯¡¯ Another woman was coming wearing also a blouse without sleeves, so Adna told him, ¡®¡¯Oh, there¡¯s another one.¡¯¡¯ He just said, ¡®¡¯i know¡¯¡¯. Adna knew his intention was good, and she must be grateful to him.

 Chapter 36

    Congratulations on the wedding anniversary of Al and Adna.  The children had bought ice cream for their parents.  First who bought ice cream was Al the second, then Lex also bought ice cream.  Through thick and thin Al and Adna had hold their hands.  They came from two different upbringings, in fact in their early marriage, Al had the difficulty adjusting to what the family of Adna had been used to.  Mama Rona  used to have bread and hot chocolate only for their breakfast while Al whose family had to go out early for work were used to eat heavy breakfast.  Adna was used to eating bread only in the morning, a basket full of bread since she was a child, bread  was  available during breakfast.  Al had to adjust, he needs to adapt what was the  norm of the family.  Few years later, Al had to eat bread first with hot chocolate, then when they both had early work and the children were going to school bringing lunch box, Al had to cook the rice in the rice cooker, Adna wakes up a bit late than Al.    For over three decades now, life has been full of ups and downs but it is the friendship which holds the strong foundation of their married life.  They also have differences in their principles but it seems Adna has to do the lead, Al would just  follow.  Sometimes, Adna also followed Al but she has the character of getting what she wants.  She was used to it when she was a child, when she wanted a big television set, she expressed to Mom Rona that she would jump off the bridge if she could not have what she likes.  Mom Rona and Papa Mar always give to Adna what she wanted.  When Adna walked with Papa Mar on the bridge for exercise, she told Papa Mar, ¡®¡¯I want to have a pair of rubber shoes.¡¯¡¯  Papa Mar listened to her and gave her a nice pair of rubber shoes.  When Mom Rona went to buy tobaccos and Adna was with her, Adna who had a glance with a beautiful pair of sandals, then she asked Mom Rona to buy the pair of sandals.  When her foot was run by the wheels of a motorcycle, Adna just told to herself, ¡®¡¯i have a new pair of sandals, no pain, no pain.¡¯¡¯  She did not even tell Mom Rona about it.  When they arrived, she just showed to Aunt Felip, Aunt Feliz, Uncle Mike and Papa Mar her newly bought pair of sandals.  That is Adna¡¯s character and Al who always witness how Adna was being loved by all of them, could not resist also if Adna would like something and her wish is always Al¡¯s command.


    When Al and Adna were still sweethearts, they went to watch movies, many times in their entire relationship.  When they got married, Adna knew, he just followed what Adna like but when they were married, Al already insisted the type of movie he wants.  What Adna loved the most about Al is when they were in the University, Al would always pick up Adna from school.  When Adna also was working, he also was there all the time to keep Adna safe as Papa Mar and the rest of the family¡¯s concern was Adna¡¯s safety.  Everytime Adna had health problem, Al truly took care of her.  As if the love of Mom Rona, Papa Mar, Aunts and uncle Mike and Uncle Rom had been passed on to Al.


    Yesterday, Adna had the chance to talk through telephone, the younger son of Uncle Rom.  He asked Adna, ¡®¡¯how have you been?¡¯¡¯  Adna told him,¡¯¡¯ I just finished my last work as a missionary, I had legal clinic and there were many lawyers who joined, and I wanted to invite you too but you were not in your office when I called.¡¯¡¯  He told Adna that the house where Uncle Rom was brought as it was their ancestral house was already destroyed as it was a haunted house.  He told also that some properties also had been sold and divided among his siblings, but the lot where the old house was built remained for him and her older brother also a lawyer and a younger brother who now resides in the U.S.  Adna was a bit sad, she was thinking why they do not have sentimental value on the properties of their parents and have it divided among them, why it has to sold to someone else and choose money instead.  During the feast at Adna¡¯s chapel also, a man came in and asked permission from Adna who was cleaning the chapel if he could get inside and pray.  Adna told him, ¡®¡¯yes.¡¯¡¯  Then Adna recognized him as the older brother of her classmate in the elementary.  Adna had the chance to visit their house when they were young because their house was not far from Adna¡¯s house.  Then he said, ¡®¡¯yes, i am the older brother but we sold our place, the house and lot  because we are many and it is easy to divide money.¡¯¡¯  Another friend also whose husband is a doctor, had met Adna during her birthday while waiting for Lex at a fast food restaurant, she also told Adna that the property of her husband¡¯s parents were all sold because his sisters abroad want to get their share and they want it in cash.  Adna just don¡¯t understand, the parents had worked hard to gather those properties for their children to keep, but they would instead convert it into cash.  If that would be the case, the parents would just have money for all of them as they are not interested to keep the legacy poured out with much effort and love.  It will just be passed on to the new owner, instead of passing it to the next generations of the family.  No sentimental value at all.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    When Adna testified in court against his co-owner whose name was just added to make the transfer of rights to Adna of the properties of Papa Mar, Mom Rona, Uncle Mike and Aunt Feliz, valid, Adna proved in court with the help of a handwriting expert that her signatures were forged.  All the properties were already sold without the knowledge and consent of Adna but in the document Adn¡¯s name appeared there as one of the vendors.  She told the judge that those properties were not meant to be sold, it must be passed on to the next generation.  It was also the wish of Mom Rona to have works of charity, possibly a home for the aged all for free.  It would be a simple living but a happy one.  Adna tried her best to do the desire of  Mom Rona, in fact when the head priest (monsignor) visited Adna¡¯s garden to see the banana plants bearing fruits, Adna pointed to a space and told the monsignor, ¡®¡¯ I will build a home for the aged in that area and when you are old you can live here.¡¯¡¯


    Adna also send a birthday message to Al¡¯s older sister.  She is out of the country to visit her older son and his family.  It is the thought that counts, she has almost everything so no need for Adna and Al to send her a material gift.

 Chapter 37

    Adna and Azia went to attend the Holy Mass officiated by the good Bishop together with many co-celebrants for the feast celebration in the church where Adna served. There was a processional of the priests and the main celebrant, the good bishop.  Azia who went out of the church for a while had met the good Bishop.  He is like a grandfather to Lex, Azia, and Al the second. He always wanted Al the second to become a priest and he always tell Adna about it.  Azia also could go right away to the dining room in the church convent because when the good Bishop told Lex, you will be a nun,  then Lex immediately answered, ¡°no grandpa Bishop i want to be married¡±.  The good Bishop would then tell Azia, ¡°you will be a nun¡± and Azia answered with a smile, ¡° yes, grandpa Bishop¡±.  To his delight, the good Bishop told Azia, ¡°go upstairs and have your snacks¡±, then he looked at Lex and told her, ¡° you, just stay here, no snacks.¡± Azia went up accompanied by the food in charge while Lex just remained and stayed at the place where the car of the good Bishop was parked.  After Adna¡¯s meeting, she asked Lex, where is Azia, then she answered, ¡° she is eating snacks upstairs.¡±  Adna asked Lex, ¡°why you did not go with your sister?¡±  Lex told her mom,¡± i told grandpa Bishop, no, i don¡¯t want to be a nun, i would marry, so no snacks for me, only Azia because when grandpa Bishop told her ¡°you will be a nun, Azia said yes, then only Azia can eat snacks upstairs.¡±  Adna to herself was laughing because Azia is very witty.  The Bishop is very much loved by his mother who wanted him to become a priest.  He personally witnessed how Adna loves and cares for her children Lex, Azia and Al the second.  He also can perfectly recognize Adna¡¯s genuine intention in loving God with a pure heart by serving those poor candle vendors in the church ground.  Not literally poor as to money, but because they are too old to still strive for their living.  Some could hardly see and some could hardly stand up and walk.  Adna¡¯s presence in the church had no hidden agenda.  Sad to say that there are persons who spend their time in the church to make money, to become famous,because they are attracted to the priest and some even used the organizations in the church for politics.  The good Bishop knew in his heart that Adna is one of a kind.  One time she even told Adna, ¡°you are the Saint for the old ones.¡±  The good Bishop sent Adna as delegate to the First World Mission Congress.  When Adna asked permission to distribute rice during Christmas, he then assigned a young priest to work with Adna.  When Adna had a mission for the sacrament of matrimony for those who have lived together for many many years, the good Bishop guided Adna to a Canon lawyer priest and for converts, he assigned another priest to make Adna¡¯s work easy.  Many times, the good Bishop visited Adna¡¯s family.  One time, it  was New Year when he dropped by to just bless Adna and the whole family.  Then he opened Adna¡¯s refrigerator and wanted to bring the foods when he goes back to the church.  Adna told him, ¡°Bishop, you can only take the apples, not the foods,  it is New Year¡¯s Day.¡±  The good Bishop understood Adna, it is customary not to give or spend during New Year¡¯s Day.  So, the good Bishop listened to Adna and just took apples from the refrigerator.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    There were many times that he asked Adna to cook for his birthday.  Adna told him, ¡°money Bishop, i will buy the ingredients.¡±  He then answered, ¡°well, ask from your husband Al.¡±  Adna told Al about what the good Bishop said, Al just laughed and they went straight to the grocery store to buy all the ingredients.   One time he asked Adna to cook for his birthday and Adna realized it would take time to refrigerate the dessert he requested and the office would be closed already.  Adna told the good Bishop about it, ¡° the office is already closed when i bring the food, how would i give the food to you?¡± He answered, ¡° then you fly.¡± Adna answered, ¡°what do you think of me Bishop, a witch?¡±  The good Bishop laughed, similar to the laughter of Papa Mar.


    Adna recalled her first acquaintance with the good Bishop.  It was month of May when a catechist in the chapel near Adna¡¯s house, informed that four priests are coming to give confession to eighty children.  She asked Adna to prepare lunch for three priests and a Bishop.  Adna told Al that they would prepare lunch for their visitors.  Adna cooked delicious foods.  She cooked beef steak, sweet and sour fish, crab, frozen fruit salad and other foods.  When the priests had finished giving confessions to the eighty children in the chapel, the good Bishop was told by the catechist that lunch is prepared for them.  He answered that they are going to another chapel to give confessions as scheduled.  He then said, ¡°let the catechists eat the food¡±  When the catechist told Adna about it, Adna could not hold her emotion, she got angry.  One of the priests was standing outside Adna¡¯s gate and wanted to bring the food, but Adna did not give.  The good Bishop went inside to meet Adna and he met Papa Mar standing at the main door.  Papa Mar asked the good Bishop to come in and then he saw the big roundtable with bounty of foods.  The good Bishop was so amazed on how Adna made the biggest food preparation for the four of them.  The priests were so special to Adna, it was crystal clear.  Adna told the good Bishop, ¡°you still have other confessions to do, now go.¡±  Adna did not give a plate to the good Bishop.  He left then, but in less than an hour the good Bishop came back to Adna¡¯s house.  When he came in he said, ¡°have my lunch here.¡±Adna asked him,¡±which food do you like?¡±  The good Bishop answered,¡±ALL


    ¡°  Few days later, Adna went to the church, the good Bishop was there with another priest.  Adna did not talk with the good Bishop, then he told the other priest pointing his fingers to Adna.  He said, ¡°look, she is still mad at me.¡±  Adna knew that being a Bishop is holding a high position in the hierarchy in the church, but Adna does not think of it.  She was doing it right and she stood by it.  She learned it from Papa Mar, ¡°even if you are facing a king, do not fear for as long as you are right, but bow down your head if you commit mistake.¡±

 Chapter 38

    Election time again, people are  just too busy to support their respective candidates.  Some are already fighting against each other just to show loyalty to their supported candidates.  Obviously, supporters do this because of the desired power they could use over the other. Some also would support a politician in exchange of money. Most of the times they solicit from the politicians repeatedly.  Hope and pray, election this time will be blessed by God and the people would no longer be divided and this country become a better place to live. As the song goes, ¡°what a beautiful country which we are living in, if we only have care and share enough, no one¡¯s gonna be sad.¡±


    Adna just remembered when she was young.  There were lots of people in the house to serve in the election.  Papa Mar was a leader of his politician friend. Adna just enjoyed watching them who were too busy and foods were provided to them. Adna also met  the politicians because they came to Papa Mar¡¯s house during campaign period. Papa Mar¡¯s support was because of friendship and not because of money.  He was a doctor for the whole family of Papa Mar. When Adna went to the sick candle vendor, he was brought by Adna to the house of the candle vendor where he saw the situation, when they look up they could see the sky and when they look down, they could see the uncemented floor.  The doctor turned politician told Adna, ¡°what a big heart you have.¡±


    There are good politicians who has the calling of serving the people with fairness and not because of political color.  Their intention is merely loving God by helping their fellow constituents. They belong to a family with dignity and of good moral values.  They know their real purpose God has given them to uplift the human dignity of every individual without much gain for themselves. Just like the doctor who became head of the city, he could have declined helping Adna in treating a poor patient;, he had no personal gain for what he did because he did not charge money for that and no fame because there was no media covering the help he extended.  It was solely a silent act of mercy that other politicians would not do. The doctor who is a good politician is not alone, there are also other persons holding high positions in the government who have the heart to help others


    without any gain for themselves and it is merely because God is with them. They were those who helped Adna in her last work as missionary, the legal clinic.


    The biggest hope of Adna is that these politicians can make the prices of foods and other basic commodities become very affordable to every ordinary citizen of the country.  God has destined everyone to die but at most those who are poor would not die being poor and not even tasted the delicious foods because of its unaffordable prices.


    Adna went out of their house to buy something at the small store nearby.  She was holding a small pack of biscuit and along the way Adna met a friend and they talk for a while.  Adna turned around because the biscuit she was holding was snatched by a small boy who immediately ran away.  When Adna reached home, she told Lex, Azia, Al the second and Al about what happened. They could not believe a small boy would do that.  Adna told them, ¡° the small boy could be very hungry that is why he snatched the biscuits in my hand. The parents no longer provide him with food or money to pay in anything he needs.¡±  The reason to steal is definitely hunger, Adna said.¡± Adna continued, ¡° let¡¯s do something about it.¡± Al the second suggested to his mom, ¡° why not give them biscuits, chocolates, candies and toys during Christmas?¡±  Azia also suggested that before Christmas Eve, the children in their place must eat rice and hot dogs so that they would not be hungry on that very special day. Lex offered money to buy the gifts for the children. Adna would spend for their packed foods too.  The toys and chocolates be distributed days before Christmas and foods be distributed on the 24th of December. Adna asked Al the second,¡±we will prepare for fifty children, would that be enough?¡± Al the second answered, ¡° i think so, mom.¡± It started with fifty children, then seventy, then one hundred.  Last Christmas, the number of children had reached two hundred fifty. One child would not just ask for one gift as he/she still has younger brother or sister at home. When Al the second who do the distribution of gifts would ask them to bring their younger brother or sister, they left and then return carrying their younger siblings.  Adna would ask Al to go with her to the mall to buy additional gifts as many are still waiting at the gate of Adna. They would not go home empty handed. It is now two hundred fifty children not only in Adna¡¯s place but children from distant neighborhood. Since Al the second had this charity work, the children in Adna¡¯s place no longer steal.  One time, Adna saw a young girl playing dirty soil on the ground. Adna told her, ¡°wash your hands, you will get worms from the dirty soil.¡± The young girl did not listen to Adna, she continued playing the dirty soil with her bare hands. Adna said to her, ¡°if you won¡¯t stop playing the dirty soil, then you will not be given gift on Christmas.¡± She stood up right away and told Adna, ¡°am i going to use soap when i wash my hand?¡±  Adna answered, ¡°yes, that is good.¡± She ran towards her house to wash her hands. Adna told Al, ¡°the young girl is not afraid of the worms, she is afraid of having no gift on Christmas.¡±The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Most of the  parents with vices no longer give importance of the special and joyous celebrations like the feeling of a child to open her gift on Christmas Eve.  Being a child is just a one time part of life and if a child miss the good experiences of being a child, the parents could no longer bring back the time.  What had been missed could no longer be filled in. The so called moments in life. Some would say the MOMENTUM.


    Politicians have all the resources and connections to feed the less fortunate to have food in every meal.  If Adna who is just an ordinary mother and wife had eyes in her heart to see and act on the very need of every person young and old, the need of good food, the need of every child, new toys in every Christmas, cakes with candle to blow on their birthdays, what a beautiful life it would be.


    Adna is grateful to politicians whose heart have eyes to see the needs of their least constituents, they who do not just cross their arms and do nothing. Jesus clearly said, ¡°WHAT YOU DO TO THE LEAST OF YOUR BROTHERS YOU DO IT UNTO ME.¡±

 Chapter 39

    As a person grows old his mood changes.  When still young, you could always see happy faces but when already in the midlife then crisis began.  This is true because of the health condition which is no longer as healthy as before. Some already started to have aching joints, some already suffer different illnesses like high cholesterol, high blood sugar and some already have hypertension at their midlife age.  They would always relate this to stressful day to day life. Some would go to the doctor and have maintenance and some who do not have money would just go to quack doctors or faith healers. There are also many doctors who would like to help other people ease the pain they suffer.   One of this is the nuga best, a very well known help to those who have illnesses but could not afford to buy their medication.


    Adna had met an old woman a week ago.  She said to Adna, ¡®¡¯i am already seventy years old.  Adna said, ¡®¡¯you look younger than your age.¡¯¡¯ The old woman smiled to Adna.  It was manifested in her bulging eyes that she has thyroid problem. When she speaks, the tongue seemed twisting and could not pronounce well.  Later, Adna knew that the old woman had already been stroke four times already. She is also hypertensive and also have a heart problem. She is very talkative and Al who was just listening to her conversation with Adna just smiled because she would also show a dance.  She proves that despite her age, she is still strong. She even told Adna, ¡®¡¯i do the laundry at home, with the thick bed cover and heavy blankets, i do it myself.¡¯¡¯ Adna replied, ¡®¡¯where are your children, why you have to do it yourself?¡¯¡¯ She gave a negative comment about one of her children who lived with her,   so Adna no longer elaborate. Adna asked her, ¡®¡¯are you still taking medicines for your hypertension and other illnesses/¡¯¡¯ She replied, ¡®¡¯before, but now no more, i just do nuga-best where all i have to do is just lie on bed and feel the heat of the bed which would give benefit to my health.¡¯¡¯ Adna heard about it many times but she was not able to join such health activity because the place where it was located was far.  Yesterday, her friend who belonged to the same organization same like where Adna belonged too had conversation with Adna and Al at the mall. She had helped Adna years ago in the free shopping store Adna prepared for the indigents. Lex was still in her third year in nursing that time and her nineteen classmates came to help Adna in that free shopping store which was held at the function room in the church. The nineteen students had a failing grade in one of their subjects and Lex was one of them.  Adna went to the University to see the professor and asked him how come Lex got a failing grade as well as the other eighteen students, male and female. The professor first was called by Adna through a telephone and he was asked by Adna, ¡®¡¯how come my daughter failed in your subject when in fact she has no single absent in the entire mid term of the semester, while another student who just came in during the exam had passed and she never attended the daily class religiously. Adna also told him, ¡®¡¯i came from this University and as far as i know the calculation of the grade is composed of the class standing which includes the perfect attendance in class, no absent no late, and for that my daughter gets a perfect score.  Another part is the quizzes which i supposed my daughter also got a good score as she is always present. Even if she fails in the mid term exams which is only one part, the two parts, class standing and quizzes would be sufficient to make the grade of my daughter passing.¡¯¡¯ Adna told him because it seems he does not care and just told Adna to come and see him in school. Adna told him, ¡®¡¯if you drop the students like hot potatoes, this time you drop the wrong potato.¡¯¡¯If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    Adna then wrote a letter to the Dean of the department narrating what had happened to the nineteen students including Lex.  The chairman of the department had been called by the Dean and after careful review, it was found out that all the students passed the examinations.  Adna requested that Lex be transferred to another professor because it was still halfway of the semester and the request of Adna was granted by the chairman of the department.  When the eighteen classmates of Lex knew that Adna would have a charity work in Christmas which was two months after the semester ends, they joined in serving. It was a free shopping store where Adna gathered, packs of rice, brand new slippers and hand down clothes from doctors and other classmates of Adna.  After they pick one item for each family member, they then eat together in a table set by Adna like a restaurant at the mall. Most families had eight children. Adna noticed that the rice was consumed first. The most important for the majority of the recipients was rice, food really is the most important. After the free shopping store, which was patterned like  going to a mall and choose dresses and other stuffs, then eat at the food court, but the only difference is that in Adna¡¯s shopping store, everything was free of charge. Adna knew in her heart that those who came could not easily go to a mall and their family could not experience how it is to go shopping at the mall because of their limited resources. At least this time they know how it feels to pick up what they like and could eat also all the foods prepared for them.  The classmates of Lex were so grateful to Adna because they had experienced the feeling of serving other people. They were also very happy that they all pass in the subject where if not because of Adna¡¯s concern for them, they could have been failed. Adna did not only help her daughter but all of them who had problem in their subject.


    The woman who belonged to the same organization where Adna belonged met Adna at the mall.  Adna told her, ¡®¡¯why did you not come when I had the free legal clinic? When i had the free shopping store, you were there and helped me and i can still remember what you said, ¡®¡¯Adna i know you have a big house in heaven, i just want to borrow the key.¡¯¡¯  She told Adna that she got sick and now she is back to her good condition because everyday she joins nuga. Adna heard about nuga and had also listened to the story of the seventy year old woman who had lots of illnesses and now she is very thankful to nuga.  Adna told her, we will also join nuga, so they went to the new place of the nuga which was just next to the mall. Al and Azia tried the nuga, it is a bed which heat would help the circulation of the blood . Azia who experienced it told Adna, ¡°¡±you should try mom, it is good.¡¯¡¯  Adna just followed Azia and then she noticed her back pain felt better. They do not charge every person who go there. It is a real help to those who start to have health problems and already start feeling the pains in their joints. Adna also encourage Al the second and Lex to try, but since there are many who go there and beds are not that many, an hour waiting has to be spent there.  Their purpose of helping other people for free is a good deed. Adna truly admires them.

 Chapter 40

    It has been twenty three years since Uncle Mike had left physically but his memories specially the good times he spent with Adna is still very much alive.  May 12 is the date when Uncle Mike left, same with Aunt Felip who left same date on the 12th of January and Aunt Feliz same date on the 12th of September. Everyday, Adna offers prayer for them including Papa Mar, Mom, Rona, and Uncle Rom.   They are always remembered in the mind of Adna and still lives in the heart of Adna and her whole family. Uncle Mike was such a simple man, but he always remembered Adna when he harvested his mangoes and jackfruits. Adna¡¯s high school classmate and friend told Adna that the entire month there are different venues for their class reunion together with those who are coming home just for the occasion from different countries.  When Adna learned that one of their itineraries is island hopping, Adna told her, ¡®¡¯i can¡¯t go crossing the sea, i do not know how to swim.¡¯¡¯ Adna never forgets the experience she had when she almost drowned and thanks to Uncle Mike who was just standing at the beach where he was within the reach when Adna was almost drowned. ¡®¡¯Thanks to Uncle MIke¡¯¡¯, Adna always share this to everyone.


    All the mothers in the country would be greeted, ¡®¡¯Happy Mother¡¯s Day.¡¯¡¯  It is the second Sunday of the month which is dedicated to all Mothers. There are so many flowers displayed at the mall and it is too expensive but many had spent for it for their mothers.  How Adna wished Mom Rona is still alive, so she can also buy her a beautifully arranged flowers. Adna would just greet Mom Rona during her morning prayer. Of course, Al¡¯s mother also is remembered.  For sure, Lex, Azia and Al the second have something special for their mother Adna. Early in the morning, Al, Adna, Azia and Al the second went to the place where they would join the nuga session. It is the first time for Al the second, to experience lying in bed with a heat being felt.  There was also a dancing exercise where Adna joined as well as Al the second. Azia enjoyed watching Al the second and since Lex was not with them, Azia took a video of Al the second who enjoyed dancing together with other people there including her mom. It took them two hours there and after they had their lunch.  Lex who was left at home, was called by Adna but she refused to go to the mall as she was busy doing some paper works so Azia and Al the second had to come home to be with their sister. Al and Adna had to stay at the mall and just enjoy window shopping then eat again because Adna likes to eat just a bit of foods available at the food court of the mall.  After they do the window shopping, they went to another mall to find the materials needed by Al the second for his grape plants. Since it was not available, they transferred to another mall.


    Adna remembered Al¡¯s mother, who used to go with Adna, Al, Lex, Azia and Al the second to one mall after the other.  Al¡¯s younger sister after being married to a foreigner had migrated to the country of her husband. They petitioned Al¡¯s mother and she became immigrant in the country where Al¡¯s younger sister lived.  Adna was assigned to send all her medicines through a package. She had diabetes, hypertension and she needed to take medication everyday and medicines had to be sent to her. Since both her daughter and the husband were too busy with their work, she was alone at their house.  It took long for the couple to have children. Al¡¯s mother being a high school teacher before she retired was used to have plenty of students so when she was alone in the house, she missed her native land. When Al¡¯s older sister had a business trip to the country where Al¡¯s mother migrated, she told the older sister of Al, ¡®¡¯i am going home with you¡¯¡¯.  The younger sister of Al did not expect the decision of her mother as she knew that she was the favorite among her siblings as she is the youngest in the family. Al¡¯s younger sister could not stop her mother and she has no control also of her older sister as she has the character of being a domineering. The older sister of Al purchased a plane ticket for her mother and then they flew right away back home.  She had a regular check up with their family doctor and it was found out that she had already complications. Every time she got hospitalized, Adna took care of her. Her memory started failing but she always remember the name of Adna. One time, a male nurse brought her medicine and she refused to take it. She told the nurse, ¡®¡¯i want only Adna, she is the only one i trusted.¡¯¡¯ When Adna who just went to the pharmacy inside the hospital came back, she then told Adna,  ¡®¡¯your smile is so familiar, it looks like the smile of Adna.¡¯¡¯ Adna then replied, ¡®¡¯it¡¯s me, Adna!¡¯¡¯ Then she laughed, ¡®¡¯oh good you are here, a man came and forced to give me something, i think it is a poison, i told him that it is only you whom i trust.¡¯¡¯ The male nurse came in again and asked, ¡®¡¯who is Adna?¡¯¡¯ ¡°I am¡±, Adna replied. The male nurse give to Adna the tablet and said, ¡°she only trust you.¡¯¡¯ Adna received the tablet and gave it to her mother-in-law. It was too easy for Adna to have the tablet taken by her mother-in-law.  The male nurse was amazed with what he witnessed. This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    When Al¡¯s mother was already out of the hospital, the younger sister of Al was so grateful to Adna.  She then asked Adna to accompany her mother when she goes to the beauty salon to fix her hair and have it regularly colored.  During Christmas, she sent money for their mall hopping, together with the children Lex, Azia, and Al the second. Since she was the godmother of both Lex and Azia, the purchase of different toys was also done during the mall hopping.  She was no longer the godmother of Al the second because she could not come home already as she was advised to rest as she was already pregnant, but for sure Al the second is also included in having his many toys during Christmas. Lex, Azia, and Al the second were so blessed that they were given many beautiful toys.  For many years, Adna had served with her hands on to Al¡¯s mother. There was no problem with her medical expenses as she was well provided by the older sister of Al. When she died, it was still Adna who took care of everything. The congregation of the priest whom Adna had helped in finding their place for the seminary, was there all through.  Their presence was sincerely appreciated by Adna and Al. To Al¡¯s mother, To Mom Rona and Mom Liz and to all mothers in the world, you have done an amazing job raising beautiful children physically and spiritually. ¡°¡±HAPPY MOTHER¡¯S DAY TO ALL OF YOU, LOVE YOU ALWAYS¡¯¡¯.

 Chapter 41

    CHAPTER 41


    Early in the morning Adna, Al, Lex, Azia, and Al the second had to wake up early to go early and cast their votes.  When they arrived, there were many people already lining up. Adna knew it would be a long waiting before they could have their turn.  While waiting, Adna noticed that a woman younger than her had been staring at her. A few minutes later, she talked with Adna telling her, ¡° you seemed familiar to me.¡±  Adna asked her, ¡°do you live in our place?¡± She answered, ¡° before yes, but i transferred to the next city.¡± She continued, i know someone and she is Adna.¡± ¡°It¡¯s me!¡± Adna surprisingly answered.  That is why you look familiar, i am Tifanny. Adna so amazed, she is one of the daughters of her teacher in Grade one. Adna said, ¡° i remember you.¡± How have you been? Adna asked. ¡°I am already married but no child because i suffer diabetes.  My husband works abroad and from time to time i just visit him there.¡± ¡°Your sister lives near our house and when we met, i always asked her about you, i never forget you.¡± Tifanny just smiled. Voting turn of Adna so their conversation had stopped.


    After voting, Adna, Al, Lex, Azia, and Al the second went to the fast food restaurant to have  their lunch. Lex, Azia and Al the second went home while Adna and Al transferred to another restaurant to have heavy lunch.  Lex, Azia and Al the second just ate spaghetti, french fries and burger steak. Along the way, Al saw Adna¡¯s friend whose wedding was held at the province and all of Adna¡¯s family had travelled more than four hours and slept there night before her wedding.  She was so happy to meet Al and Adna again. She already gave birth to a baby girl. She also told Adna, ¡°married life is too different, in everything i do i should ask permission from him. Most of the time, he does not permit me. My officemates have an outing to the next island but he told me not to go because i am already married.¡±  Adna and Al were just smiling listening to her. Adna asked her, ¡° how long had you been boyfriend and girlfriend?¡± She answered, ¡° one year.¡± Adna continued to ask, ¡°why did you like him?¡± She answered, ¡°because he was simple and shy.¡± Adna told her, ¡°when Al and I were sweethearts for more than five years, we watched movies i liked and he always watched it too.  It was many times, but when we got married and i told him we would watch a movie same actor and actress, he then told me that he does not like it, to think that we had been watching movies that i like for many years. For all i know it was only me who liked the movie and he just watched because of me.¡± ¡° When we got married he told me he like another type of movie.¡± Al who was listening to Adna just smiled when Adna¡¯s friend looked at him.  Adna told her friend, ¡° five years after marriage, individual upbringings would set in and it is the beginning of differences that would result to misunderstanding and one must give in to the other. Adna¡¯s friend got married May 19 last year and as early as their first year being married she started to complain. One problem she encountered is about the nephew of her husband who while studying in high school lived with them but does not help in doing the household chores.  When he had shingles, she had spent their salary for his medicines as his father seemed not to care being busy with her new live in partner. This already caused conflict with her husband. She insisted that his nephew is not their obligation. The money they earn must only be intended to their new born child. Her husband just kept quiet. Adna told her, ¡°married life is not a bed of roses, if it is then it would be roses with thorns.¡± ¡°It is still a long journey full of surprises, may it be hard or easy that you must both partake and do it joyfully until the end of the road.¡±  just don¡¯t give up, no retreat, no surrender. just bear in mind why you chose him and what you like him the most. She then told Adna that her sisters and brothers gave her money she spent for the reception of the wedding. Adna felt awkward after she listened to her friend because the norm is that the groom must spend for the wedding and not the bride. Adna asked her, your husband did not spend anything?¡± She answered, ¡°he also spent but much lesser than what i received from my siblings.¡± Adna asked her, ¡°why did you spend that much?¡± She answered that her mother insisted to have the biggest reception so that they would not be put to shame if they run out of foods.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    Adna remembered how she and Al prepared for their wedding.  They did not tell Al¡¯s mother to avoid many visitors. They only told her when everything was already ready.  Looking back, Al and Adna felt so proud of how they were able to prepare the wedding on their own. A wedding so simple yet meaningful.  From the day one of their married life up to the present, the essence of being married is not how expensive the celebration is but how strong the love keeps the couple on the go.  No regrets whatsoever. There are many couples who after making the grand wedding celebration end up parting ways because their focus was only to please other people. The center of the celebration must be GOD.  For the couple, it is impossible to sustain their relationship if do it on their own. God must be at the center of their relationship.


    That is the secret of Adna and Al¡¯s success in their married life.  God is at the center of Adna and Al.

 Chapter 42

    Thank God, election is now over.  The two different supporters are now feeling the opposite, The victorious one feel overjoyed and the opponent feel dismayed.  The winner will have all the benefits while the loser has to give way to the new elected officials. Politics is not solely own the stableness of a political career.   The most affected are their supporters, some would lose their jobs and would also become powerless as the administration would now change. The very reason why people fight against each other is their thinking that if who they support would win, they can do all the things they can and no one can go against them because there is an official who can defend them.  Their way of thinking is too far away from the truth that it is not the official who is the highest but it is God who is the greatest, who sees everyone with fairness and justice. Every person is accountable to his actions. God will reward the good and punish the evil. Everything is arrange by God, one has its proper time and there is always a beginning and end.  Nothing is permanent in this world, only change. Everyone must be compelled to face the reality and accept the truth.


    This coming June is the last month of stay of all the assigned priests in the church.  New priests would be assigned and Adna does not know who would that be. Some would say, the new priest would be the godfather of Al the second, a young Bishop.  Many church goers are now having speculations and name names of possible priest who would replace the monsignor who came to Adna¡¯s house and looked at her garden.  It is certain that he would be assigned to the province but since he holds a high position, he still is the head of the entire churches situated in the South. One of the benefactors told Adna, ¡®¡¯I don¡¯t like if the one who would replace is the young Bishop, he is not approachable.¡¯¡¯  It is true that the young bishop looked somewhat strict, but in truth he is a philanthropist. Adna had been helped by the young Bishop, he paid the school tuition of Al the second in high school when Adna was having financial difficulties because she needed to destroy the house of Papa Mar and build another house using the same materials.  Both Lex and Azia were still in the University and the cost of the nursing course was too expensive. Adna did not ask money from the young Bishop, the help she wanted was to ask the school director who was also a priest that Al the second be allowed to take the exam as Adna would be given an extension for the payment of Al¡¯s tuition. Adna who went to the school and talked with the priest director, did not like his gesture.  He was not a good priest. Adna saw many students who stayed outside of the office because their parents were not able to pay and they were all asked to go out of their classrooms not allowing them to take the exams. Adna knew so well the priest. He is the cousin of Uncle Rom¡¯s wife. When he was studying, his cousin helped him pay his tuition but since the wife of Uncle Rom was just a housewife, while Uncle Rom was a lawyer and had a high position in the government, it was Uncle Rom¡¯s money which was given by his wife to pay for his tuition because he was already an orphan.   Now, that he is successful in his studies, first as an engineer then a priest, he became overproud. He no longer look back on who he was and where did he come from. Adna told him, ¡®¡¯we come from same family, my cousins are also your relatives, but I did not ask any favor from you, i asked favor from the young Bishop but your heart is like a stone, you are not even a good Christian. The duty of the students is just to study and it is the liability of the parents to settle their outstanding accounts, and not to put the students in shame by sending them out of their classrooms while other students would obviously know they were not able to pay.¡¯¡¯    Adna stepped out from the director¡¯s office and called the young bishop through telephone. The young Bishop told Adna, ¡®¡¯calm down, Adna, and listen to me. Can Al the second take the exam if i would send you money?¡¯¡¯ Adna answered, ¡°there is a check for Al¡¯s payment but i have not received it yet.¡¯¡¯ The young Bishop said, ¡®¡¯forget about the check, can Al the second take the exams if I send you money?¡¯¡¯ Adna answered, ¡®¡¯yes.¡¯¡¯ The young Bishop then added, ¡®¡¯how do you know he can still take the exam?¡¯¡¯ Adna answered, ¡®¡¯because there are about thirty students staying outside feeling sad because they cannot also take the exams.¡¯¡¯ The young Bishop asked, ¡®¡¯how much is the tuition needed by Al the second?  I will send the money through my driver and you will say the name of the older Bishop, who was like a grandpa to Lex, Azia, and Al the second.¡¯¡¯ The young Bishop then told Adna, ¡®¡¯tell Al the second to go back to his classroom and take the exam. Adna after telling Al the second, went back to the office of the priest who was the school director and told him, ¡®¡¯do not worry, the young Bishop would pay the tuition of my son.¡¯¡¯ The school director could not believe Adna has a strong connection with priest with high ranks. When Adna went out of office to go to the church and receive the money from the driver of the young Bishop, she no longer see the many students outside the office. She asked the school cashier who was Adna¡¯s friend, where they are?  The cashier answered, they are now all allowed to take the exams, the young Bishop called and he instructed that all students must take the exams even if they still have an unsettled account. Adna felt so happy.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    When the driver arrived, Adna said the name of the old Bishop, the one who sent her as a missionary.  The driver then handed the money and Adna told him, ¡®¡¯please wait for the receipt and the change.¡¯¡¯ After paying in school, Adna asked the driver that they would go to the near fast food restaurant to eat some snacks.  The driver went with Adna and she was amazed when she knew that the name of the driver is Mar, just like Papa Mar¡¯s name. Then he started sharing about the goodness of the young Bishop. One time, as he was driving going to the province they passed by a man whose motorcycle was hit by a big vehicle.  He was still lying on the street wounded. The young Bishop asked him to stop. He stepped out of the car and went near to the man and when he would carry him to be brought to the hospital, the man hit his fist to the face of the young Bishop. He was drunk while driving that is why he had met an accident.  The young Bishop still continued to carry him and brought him inside the car and they bring him to the nearest hospital. He told the admitting staff of the hospital, ¡®¡¯please take care of him, and i will pay all his bills.¡¯¡¯ there was also an old woman who can hardly see, so the young Bishop brought her to an EENT doctor and when the doctor advised for an immediate operation of the old woman¡¯s eyes, the young Bishop brought her and personally took care of her in the hospital.  When the money of the young Bishop could not suffice all the hospital bills, he asked help from his rich friends. Adna was overjoyed with what she heard about the young Bishop.


    Adna who heard one of the benefactors of the church who does not like that the young Bishop would replace the monsignor next month, her comment that the young Bishop is not approachable, and somewhat strict, Adna just kept silent and said to herself, ¡®¡¯if you only know him there is no way you can say that.¡¯¡¯  It is always true that, ¡®¡¯it is only through the heart that one sees rightly, what is essential is not visible to the eyes.¡¯¡¯

 Chapter 43

    Lex had finally tried the nuga which Adna, Al, Azia and Al the second had already tried.  When they all arrived there, Lex expressed to Azia that she did not like it, ¡°¡±what is this, it seems like a ward, with so many beds and patients are lying down on bed side by side, and then there is someone interviewing like a nurse.¡¯¡¯  Lex continued, ¡°¡±i thought we would just be sitting and someone would do the massage.¡¯¡¯ Azia just kept quiet, actually she likes the effect after the nuga bed but what she did not like is the extreme heat of the sun in going there. It is too hot because they would go there after lunch time.  Adna already knew about the character of Lex, she is too expressive and for sure she would not like the set up with many people including the old ones. Since Adna had tried and feel good after days of going there, there¡¯s really a benefit in Adna¡¯s body. Some back aches she felt had been lessened.  Al the second and Azia liked it too. Al also had noticed that he seemed to be faster this time when he walks. After bringing lots of foods, packed of rice, wrapped hand down clothes, Al really felt so much pain on his arms and for this year, Al had felt much pain on his knees. He carried much weight during the time of their rice distribution for Christmas.  He could feel the pain while walking that would made him stop and sit for a while then continue to walk, stop and sit again. He was prescribed medicines by the family doctor of Adna, but still after two months taking the medication,the pain still bothered Al specially when he stands or when he walks. No problem when he is just sitting. Now, that he tried the nuga, he seemed quicker in his movements and can walk quite a long distance.  There is still pain but it is somewhat bearable. Observing Al, Adna then had encouraged him to continue the nuga as it has make him feel better.


    When  Adna, Al, Lex, Azia, and Al the second were about to go home, one of the attendants approached Adna.  She is a month younger than Adna, but she seemed older looking than her age. She has two children whose age are eighteen and twenty one and are still studying.  She asked Adna about the place where she lived, ¡®¡¯your place is near the house of the head of the place/¡¯¡¯ Adna answered, ¡®¡¯no, it is far from my place, and why?¡¯¡¯  She answered, ¡®¡¯my husband is renting a house there, we had been separated for many years since 2003.¡¯¡¯ She continued, ¡®¡¯our house is in the compound of my husband¡¯s family but he left us and he moved to another house with his mistress.¡¯¡¯  Adna told her, ¡®¡¯does he have a job?¡¯¡¯ She answered, ¡®¡¯yes, he works in the government, with a permanent status.¡¯¡¯ Adna told her, ¡®¡¯he is giving you financial support if he has a good job.¡¯¡¯ She answered, ¡®¡¯at first yes, but then for many years now he no longer give us financial support.¡¯¡¯  Adna shared to her about the story of Azia¡¯s classmate whose father holds a high position in the government and also did not give support to his family because his priority was the mistress. They also lived in the compound of the father¡¯s family, so her mother was hesitant to claim her right as the legal wife.  Then the wife decided to ask financial support for the needs of her children as they were all studying. Although she was a teacher but her income was not enough to send her children to the university. She decided to move out from their house, find another house just near and she was renting that house. She then filed a case against her husband.  The husband who holds a high rank in the government was never expecting, the law sided to his wife. Only small amount from his salary was given to him. The money he earned was equally shared to his legal children and also for his wife. When he died, the wife went back to the compound of her husband and until the present they live there. Her children are now all working including the classmate of Azia.  Having such a difficult life before, now she is rewarding herself by joining tours to other countries. She has travelled many times and met new friends. The nuga attendant just listened to Adna. Al, Azia and Lex were also listening. Adna then told her, ¡®¡¯all you need to do is to have the determination to avail your right as a wife. I know that with your situation, you questioned yourself why he left you and your self-esteem become too low.  You would have doubt with yourself deep inside, as if your dignity is lost. The law will be on your side if you would just be strong and do the legal way.¡¯¡¯ She answered to Adna, ¡®¡¯yes, what you say is true. I just join a prayer meeting and as if i am relief.¡¯¡¯ Adna said, ¡®¡¯honestly, it is just a denial.¡¯¡¯ There are groups who would help you and they will provide you with lawyers. Just assert your right, and there are also good people who will be on your side.¡¯¡¯  Adna then gave her the contact number of the lawyer who had helped so many already who became victims of their husbands, may it be economic abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse and psychological abuse. Most of those who had been helped are now advocates of abused women to fight for their rights. Adna also shared to her what happened to her classmate who is a doctor. She filed a case against her husband but only legal separation which is separation in bed and separation in property.  Adna at first tried her best to encourage her classmate to fix her marriage for the the benefit of her two sons., but she told Adna everything, what happened to her is more painful that when she lost her parents. So Adna told her to go back to her lawyer and apply another charge which protects the right of the women. The husband so afraid of being imprisoned brought his newly bought car and returned home, asking forgiveness from his wife. When they had reunion with all their classmates, Adna was told by her classmate that her husband is with them.  Adna just felt very happy for her classmate.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    The nuga attendant took the contact number from Adna, and then she told Adna, ¡®¡¯no need to imprison him for as long as he would give financial support to our children who are still studying.¡¯¡¯  Adna replied, ¡®¡¯that is good¡¯,and always pray.¡¯¡¯

 Chapter 44

    It was month of May when Adna told her family to get ready for a long trip to the south province.  Lex, Azia, Al the second were all excited to visit and see a new place. Al was somewhat hesitant because of his aching leg.  Adna told Lex, ¡®¡¯call the driver and schedule our trip to the south province and tell him we will go there early in the morning at around 6:00  a.m. and then we will be home late in the afternoon.¡¯¡¯ Lex immediately called the driver, ¡®¡¯ Rommel, my mom said we are going to the south province, i think we will be going to the beach, and we will leave at six in the morning and will go home late in the afternoon.¡¯¡¯  After their conversation, Lex told her mom Adna, ¡®¡¯Rommel is available because it is Saturday.¡¯¡¯ Adna and Al then left to buy foods for their long travel. The place is a high land and the road there is not yet cemented. Since the driver came from the south province, he is familiar with the roads there.


    Al used to smoke tobacco.  The big brown leaf. He learned from Adna¡¯s loved ones, Papa Mar , Mom Rona, Aunt Felip and Uncle Mike.  They also smoke tobacco leaves. In order to get closer to them when Al just started visiting Adna, he asked how it taste because he also smoke but it was commercial cigarettes.  He tried at first, then tried again until he became used to it. They also believe that it has less nicotine compared to commercial cigarettes. Their proof is that most of them live long lives almost ninety years old and they did not develop any illness to their throat or lungs.  Aunt Feliz did not smoke as she had asthma. Adna would buy tobacco at the market because when she goes to attend the Holy Mass, at the back of the church is the public market. Adna came to know one of the tobacco sellers there who actually live in the south province. She became interested with Adna when she knew Adna is active in the church because the monsignor was assigned in their place at the south province for many years, and she personally know him.  Adna one time shared to her that she is looking for a place in the province for her plan of having a home for the aged. She then told Adna that she has only one brother and they have an almost abandoned lot in the province about four hectares. She offered to Adna that if she would like the place, Adna can use and build homes for the aged in that area. Adna believing her as a person with a word of honor, sincerely told her, i am not dreaming for a big one, i would only build for only twenty old persons because it is not easy to provide them with their needs and i do not solicit for funds.  It is just our own income and from our very close friends too. Adna asked her,¡¯¡¯ does the area have electricity and water? Is it near the hospital? Is there a signal there for telephone communication?¡¯¡¯ She answered, ¡®¡¯no water and electricity yet.¡¯¡¯ Adna told her, ¡®¡¯it is not ideal place because they are old and needs immediate assistance especially medical assistance and besides we will be planting vegetables in the same place to harvest our own foods. She then told Adna, ¡®¡¯there is another place, a three hectare place and we live there with my parents. It has electricity and water but the signal for telecommunications is not that fast compared in the city.¡¯¡¯  Adna then said, ¡®¡¯that would be the possible area for the home for the aged. She then asked Adna to go there and see the place.


    The good Bishop already knew the plan of Adna.  He just told Adna to coordinate with the monsignor.  Adna had told already the monsignor about it as well as the doctor who is Adna¡¯s very close friend who served the priests and nuns free of charge.  The doctor told Adna,¡¯¡¯ think of it again Adna, the place is too far and i am already old, it must be hands on when i do the check up unlike now that you will just call me and give me the vital signs and the patient¡¯s  complaint and then i can tell you what medicine to buy.¡¯¡¯ The monsignor also told Adna, ¡®¡¯it is too far and it is hard to bring the facilities.¡¯¡¯ Adna asked the monsignor, ¡®¡¯what facilities, monsignor?¡¯¡¯ He answered, ¡®¡¯like x- ray machines.¡¯¡¯  Adna jokingly replied,¡¯¡¯i don¡¯t think God will make things complicated for us monsignor, i think paracetamol is already enough medicine for the old ones when they get sick.¡¯¡¯ As scheduled time to visit the area, one time Adna talked with the monsignor, ¡®¡¯we will go and see the place, the good Bishop pointed at you to work with me, so let¡¯s go.¡¯¡¯  The monsignor said, ¡®¡¯the place is not productive and it is too far.¡¯¡¯ Adna to her mind, ¡®¡¯if this is a God given place, who am i to say no, i must go with my family.¡¯¡¯If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Friday evening, Adna had sudden fever, so she called the driver that they would cancel the trip to the south province.  Then the friend of Adna who offered the place kept calling Adna and repeatedly told her, ¡®¡¯it is just a test from God, so we must go.¡¯¡¯  Adna at that time was chilling but on the other hand she did not want to disappoint her children who were all excited to travel and they will then drop by to a beach in that place.  Adna took medicines, antibiotic and then Al rubbed her with wet face towel to lower her very hot temperature. Again, the friend of Adna kept calling telling Adna, ¡®¡¯just pray and you will be alright.¡¯¡¯  Early in the morning, Adna woke up and so she called the driver, ¡®¡¯pick us up at the church at about 6:30 a.m., we will go to the south province.¡¯¡¯ The driver replied, ¡®¡¯yes ma¡¯am.¡¯¡¯ Adna also called her friend and she was so happy that Adna would be going to their place and she would ride with Adna going there.  Good enough the car would accommodate seven passengers. On their way there, Lex, Azia, and Al truly enjoyed the view. The climate was real good as the side of the roads were lined up with big and old trees. It was such a long journey and going up to the mountain place the road became too narrow that fits only one small car one way.  If the driver is not good, then the risk of falling into the cliff is really a great danger. Adna knows it is for God so she firmly believed that her whole family is well protected. The road was turning round and round going up. When they reached the place, Adna saw the parents of her friend, too old and seemed somewhat too innocent.  Their house is too small with open windows. The mother who was already 76 years old still carried a big container of water. Adna could not believe that her friend was just looking at her mother without any concern. The mother of Adna¡¯s friend showed the area, there were tall coconut trees at the boundaries and the space was open. Adna could build three buildings not necessarily concrete ones.  Azia, who felt much pity to the father of Adna¡¯s friend, talked with Adna,¡¯¡¯Mom, we will not use the property for free, we must pay so that the old man can use the money for himself.¡¯¡¯ Lex also suggested,¡¯ ¡®¡¯Azia is right mom, not necessarily pay them one time, but we can give them payment so that the old man before he dies could also make use of the benefit of the property.¡¯¡¯ Adna told the mother of her friend, ¡®¡¯my children would like to compensate so that the two of you could enjoy your property.¡¯¡¯  She then asked Adna¡¯s friend, ¡®¡¯what do you think?¡¯¡¯ She then told Adna that they would still discuss about it.


    She kept asking if monsignor would be there.  Adna honestly told her, ¡®¡¯the monsignor feel no interest because of its distance.¡¯¡¯  Suddenly she said, ¡®¡¯my relatives do not like to have a home for the aged built there, cause we might lose all our properties.¡¯¡¯  Adna raised her voice, ¡®¡¯what??¡¯¡¯ It was you who offered the place for free, i was very sick but you never stopped convincing me to go to your place and i brought my whole family spending big amount of money, and that is what you think of me?  Do you think, i am a land grabber? My children even offered money because they pity your father and mother.¡±¡± She then told Adna, ¡®¡¯what can I do it is not mine.¡¯¡¯ Adna told her, ¡®¡¯you know, your husband who has an original wife with four children is good, your only son is good, your mother is good, and your father is good, only you who  is very clever and i know you are answerable to God with all your hidden agenda.¡¯¡¯ When she learned that the monsignor would not be there, she retracted all that she said to Adna at first. When Adna was asked by the monsignor, how was the home for the aged going, Adna straightforwardly told the monsignor, ¡®¡¯that woman likes you so much and that attraction becomes an obsession.¡¯¡¯  The monsignor said, ¡®¡¯no¡¯¡¯. Adna told the monsignor, ¡®¡¯then which way would this be, you are attracted to her or she is attracted to you with obsession.¡¯¡¯ Many were listening including Azia when she told the monsignor about that. When the monsignor dropped by at the garden of Adna, he was showed a vacant space and Adna told him, ¡®¡¯in that space i will build a home for the aged, and when you become too old you can live here.¡¯¡¯

 Chapter 45

    Adna just learned that the expected young Bishop who is Al the seconds godfather, will  not be assigned in the church to replace the monsignor. He is appointed to a much higher position and much bigger responsibility to another diocese somewhere in the northern part of the country.  He really is a good man, he deserved to have such a high position. The people in that area are in good hands, especially the youth. He is really a good mentor. Adna was hoping that he would be assigned in the church where she used to join and attend the Holy Mass.  When he sent money through his driver Mar, in order to pay the tuition of Al the second to have the permit to take the examinations, the young Bishop did not receive any payment from Adna. If he would be assigned in the church where Adna would serve, then Adna could have a little pay back as she is planning to cook delicious foods to the young Bishop as her way of thanking him.  Al the second became professional and if the young Bishop did not pay the tuition of Al the second, the studies of Al the second would have been curtailed. Adna sincerely is so grateful to the young Bishop. Adna hopes to meet the young Bishop any sooner.


    Adna and Al went to the next city, where she was able to meet few weeks ago the seventy year old woman who suffered lots of illnesses like thyroid problem, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes but because she joined the nuga, she looked younger than her age and also when she moves, it shows that she is still strong and active, specially when she showed her dance steps.  Adna who wanted to see her friend who told her that she would go to a province for one week has not yet returned, she is still in the province. Adna and Al had met a woman when they were going there and she asked Adna to drop by and visit her as it is located just near Adna¡¯s friend. It is easy to locate her house as it is beside a chapel of the Holy Child. Since their house is along the road and she told Adna that there is a vacant room for rent, so Adna felt much interest as she is looking for a place to do tutorial to young students.  They dropped by and checked the room together with the new friend of Adna. The room is too spacious, but going there, they need to pass at the side of the chapel and it is just a very narrow pathway. Al liked the room but as they were standing at the main door facing outside, Adna noticed that there was a deep well with water. A big tree stands at the right side so close to the main door and in front of the small room there is also a big tree. The surroundings were also old houses which was partly destroyed. Adna frankly told her new friend, ¡®¡¯the room is nice but it is not good to have a deep well in front of it.  It is dangerous for the children. The price rental she offered to Adna was very affordable, but Al said, the room is nice but the surrounding is not presentable. Adna told Al, ¡®¡¯it is because you have been used to our surrounding which are filled with nice plants and the roses which has its full bloomed flowers are very nice to look at.and also the frog grasses which Azia and Al the second had watered much really is pleasing to the eyes. They just thanked the new friend of Adna. Al and Adna had to go back to their city and then they would drop by at the mall to have some snacks.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    When they reached their city, Adna noticed that there is a store filled with plastic container products.  It is just along side with the hotel where they used to go whenever it is too noisy at home when there are activities.  Adna asked Al to get inside and see what they could buy to start a new business. When Adna was not yet sent by the good Bishop to the Mission Congress, Adna had been doing well with her fashion accessory business.  After the wedding of Adna and Al, they received a check as a wedding gift from Al¡¯s older sister. Adna told Al, ¡®¡¯we will use the check we received to start a small business.¡¯¡¯ The business had been doing well and Adna had good relationship with the buyers and its staffs.  They used to come to Adna¡¯s house during birthdays of any of the family member of Adna. During those times, Adna could receive a hundred guests, not like their wedding where guests were only limited to twenty five. Adna could spend money to prepare bounty of foods and also could buy what they need in the family like rice.  Adna had four sacks of rice with fifty kilos each, there consumption for the entire month was less than one sack because the three children, Lex, Azia, and Al the second do not eat much rice. When Adna became a missionary, every meal they need to buy one kilo of rice for them to cook, Al the second was the one who would buy at the store nearby.  There were times that Adna no longer have rice, and Azia¡¯s classmate in high school would bring one sack of rice and another time, Azia¡¯s classmate in the university would bring kilos of rice also. Life being a missionary is full of difficulties. The whole family of Adna had also experienced and shared the hardships in the standard of living. Adna and her family had partake the lives of the indigents they served.  It is almost twenty years now being a missionary and Adna wanted to focus more on being a wife and a mother. Last December 8, her work had been complete.


    Adna and Al went inside the store filled with plastic container products.  Adna would like to be back to business again but she is not so certain how to start.  She prayed hard to God, she would be given the opportunity to become a business minded woman again just like when her children Lex, Azia, and Al the second were still young, they experienced the comfort in life.  When Papa Mar was alive and also Aunt Felip, their needs were well provided by Adna and Al. ¡®¡¯I just want to be back to my normal life¡¯¡¯, Adna told Al. She continued, ¡®¡¯we are not getting any younger, we have to fulfill our dreams for our three children, giving them the best life as we could give.  When we grow old and slow, we must not regret of having not prepared.. I must do little business first then with God¡¯s blessings it would flourish.¡¯¡¯ Al just listened to Adna. She can now work hand in hand with Azia and Al the second. They share same interest with their mother.

 Chapter 46

    Start by doing what¡¯s necessary; then do what¡¯s possible and suddenly you are doing the impossible-St. Francis of Assisi.  Living on earth has become more difficult. Some would say it as victim of time. The most important in life is time, but being its  victim is absolutely different. It only means the present, where each one of us exists under the influence and the rule which must be followed.  When prices of commodities go up, no one can stop it especially the ordinary ones. One could also not say, i must stop eating. It is a must to find ways that when meal time comes, there must be food on the table.  Many desire to study and attain a much higher level of education but with the recent cost of education this time, it is only up to ambition in dreams not in reality. Of course except for those parents who really make their children the priority, all efforts they make just to assist their children attain their dreams in studies and make it happen.  For these reasons, many have developed depression which is one sign of having a mental illness. They could no longer cope up with the demands of the recent time and they find themselves worthless. It is not easy to uplift one¡¯s own thinking when the state of mind is already very much affected with the stressful way of living as of these moments. Those who only think they are all alone would easily give up while other people who believe that there is a God who would never abandon them would continue to struggle in order to survive.  As Einstein said, ¡®¡¯life is like riding a bicycle, just keep on the go to keep its balance.¡¯¡¯ When one stops, he become stagnant and unproductive. They no longer have faith in themselves. What gives them the focus are the never ending bills on electricity, foods of not less than three times meal, when they go somewhere, the fare or the gasoline they need for their cars, the insurances, the health care especially the medicines which needs to be taken a lifetime called maintenance. To add to all these, are the expensive school tuition especially in the universities.  Among these necessities or the basic needs of men like food, clothing and shelter, there are also many wants each individual wish to obtain like the newest gadgets, their luxurious travels, and also being with friends in many events they have in common. Life is tiresome because of all these. Both the needs and the wants make life become heavier and burdensome. Only few people have a peaceful mind, they only think of simple things and all the time grateful in everything they have and hold this with much contentment. They aim nothing more but always thankful on the air they breathe which God provides for free, the sunrise each morning they wake up which they truly appreciate as a new life, the sounds of the birds as if a music to their ears, the waves of the leaves on the trees which somewhat a graceful dance step in someone¡¯s eyes.  The prayer of thanksgiving in every meal together with the whole family, ¡®¡¯Bless us O Lord and these thy gifts which we are about to receive from thy bounty through Christ our Lord, Amen.¡¯¡¯ The solitude and understanding among family members, the smiles and little jokes, the sharing of no matter how little food, each one has its share. The roof which covers during the sunny and rainy days. The doors and windows which would be closed to keep all in the family safe and sound.


    Adna remembered their situation when  the court ordered that the house of Papa Mar be demolished because Adna was made to believe to sell part of the lot in order that the documents of the property be transferred to her name but what happened is that all properties were sold in a small amount and the first document which contain the true amount and stipulated conditions was hidden and not being presented in court.  Uncle Rom who by himself represented Adna because during that time, Adna was severely having excessive bleeding due to myoma, Uncle Rom decided that there were no testimonies to be presented as Aunt Felip also was very sick and bedridden, and to lessen Adna from being stressed, only documentary evidence was presented. Adna who hold only a document which stipulates that the house is not included in the sale, but later another lawyer told Adna that in legal term it is estoppel, because only the house and not the lot where the house is built is also stipulated being excluded in the sale.  Uncle Rom who suffered Parkinson¡¯s disease was not that efficient in defending Adna, the case was not in favor of Adna due to technicality. The Petition for Certiorari of Uncle Rom to the Supreme Court was two days late. It was not easy for Adna to be in that situation, but God never abandoned persons with good heart. Al was able to make carpentry jobs like putting windows using the old materials because Lex and especially Azia were too afraid every time the bats would fly inside the house. Al also was able to slowly cement the floor and little by little made a door of the house replacing the thick plastic they used to cover.  The priest who helped Adna in the giving of rice during Christmas, had asked Lex to go to the place where he was assigned and gave her money to have the electricity connected in Adna¡¯s house. He knew so well that electricity is very much needed for Al the second using his nebulizer. He also gave additional money for the food of the family. When Adna had little money, she called the priest to pay him but he said to Adna, ¡®¡¯no need to pay me, we just both be helping each other.¡¯¡¯ The tears of Adna rolled down her face because of joy for what he heard from the priest who had so much concern for the family. Adna realized, life is really like a scale, there must be time when you are up and at times that you are down.  Adna had helped this priest before, providing him a doctor when he got sick. When he was hospitalized, Adna was told that his insurance could not be used to pay his hospitalization because he stopped paying his monthly contribution. Adna tried her best to pay the lapsed payment of the priest. With the help of her friends, Adna was able to gather the money and the insurance was given back to the priest, His hospital bills had been paid through the insurance. This time, the priest is helping Adna in return. ¡®¡¯We both help each other¡¯¡¯, as he say. Life is a matter of choice, you can be the giver or the receiver., this is the realization of Adna. Many times, Adna would think she could not reach the top, but by just looking at every step of a ladder and not minding the ladders still to be stepped on until the top, not  knowingly you would be there. Just keep on the go, as Adna said to her doctor friend whose life seemed hopeless with her conviction in court, with the life like living in hell with her husband. Now, she is legally free from her bondage of marriage, she has truly served the many priests and nuns, her children are now professionals and the one who attempted suicide is now bouncing back to life. ¡®¡¯Just do the necessary, then do what is possible and suddenly you are doing the impossible¡¯¡¯-St. Francis of Assisi. Thank you God for the gift of intellect and the gift of freewill. Most of all, thank you for the gift of wisdom and the gift of life, Adna¡¯s voice within in praying.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

 Chapter 47

    A distant relative of Adna had been crying.  She is the owner of the store where Papa Mar purchased all the needs for food in his house and would have his pension check paid to her.  She was a very business minded woman having her course in Bachelor of Science in Commerce. Her father was the first degree cousin of Mom Rona.  She had a very close friend who was a good dressmaker who worked with Aunt Felip. She used to come to the house and she baked Adna¡¯s birthday cake without an icing.  Still the cake was very tasty. She liked having pen pal from foreign countries, in fact one family had came to visit. A whole family from America and then one of the daughters who was same age with Adna became a friend to Aunt Felip¡¯s family especially Adna.  They stayed quite long in the house of the distant relative of Adna. Her pen pal writing also had lead her to find her partner in life, a widower from Australia. The old man about sixty years old, and that dressmaker who was in her early 50¡¯s came to Adna¡¯s house.  She told Adna that her pen pal now her fiance has a son whom she liked to be introduced to Adna for possible relationship. Al was already there always visiting Adna at their house, Adna was so unhappy with what she did. She was the only one who liked to have pen pal because she is already in her midlife age, but why she also look for Adna¡¯s match? ¡®¡¯I  did not ask her that favor,¡¯¡¯ she told Aunt Felip. On the other hand, the distant relative of Adna who was 41 years old had told Adna, ¡®¡¯she found me a pen pal, a black American, i will give him to you Adna.¡¯¡¯ Adna answered with angry tone, ¡®¡¯what???? Are you both having a sound mind?¡¯¡¯ Adna that time was only 17 years old. Before her 17th birthday, Al and Adna were already sweethearts.  March 5 they became sweethearts then March 28 was Adna¡¯s 17th birthday. She then told Adna, that black American is coming to see her and then she already is committed to a widower much older than her but a great businessman from another island. They are getting married, but that man have many children. The dressmaker who worked with Aunt Felip thought she has control with Adna because she baked cake on her birthday.


    When the distant relative became pregnant, at the age of 42, they asked Aunt Felip to prepare dinner as they would come to the house together with the dressmaker.  While eating, they used to discuss about Adna and her boyfriend Al. Adna just kept listening but did not say anything. She really liked Adna to matched with her pen pal¡¯s son.  Aunt Felip, Papa Mar, and Mom Rona as well as Aunt Feliz, were just closing their mouths. They very well know Adna¡¯s character. For sure Adna would not speak with them when she gets mad.  The dressmaker went to Australia, their wedding was held there. A year later they came back and then she brought a pair of earrings for Adna. When they came to the house, Al was also there and then Adna just spent a few minutes time for them, she received the earrings and then she showed it to Al,  the gift is worthless. There is no way she could convince my mind by giving me gifts. One time. Adna was surprised, she received a letter from Australia, not an old man and there was an introduction about himself and then his work is from the tin factory. Mom Rona who was already bedridden laughed.  She remembered Adna who went with her friend to gather empty cans of sardines, they brought empty sack to place their gathered empty cans of sardines and milk. Adna¡¯¡¯s friend would have it sold at the junk shop because they had no money. Seeing no cans in that place, Adna brought her friend to her house and went straight to a glass cabinet.  She took one of the glass jars of Mom Rona, it was a big glass jar. She brought it outside and told her friend to help her break the glass by throwing a stone into it. That could be sold at the junk shop, the broken glass. The price was per kilo, so Adna told her friend, if you need some more, i would get another glass jar inside the glass cabinet of Mom Rona.  When Mom Rona knew about it as well as Papa Mar, they did not scold Adna, they felt so much love for Adna because she tried that kind of experience, picking up empty cans to be sold. This had happened also to Lex when she did not like her preparatory teacher. She told Adna, ¡®¡¯mom, when i consume my notebook, i will stop going to school and i will just pick up empty cans and sell it to the junk shop.¡¯¡¯  Adna who checked Lex notebook was alarmed, only three leaves of the notebook were left. Adna then went straight to the school and talked with the preparatory teacher. Adna learned Lex did not like her because she was not as pretty and as kind as her nursery teacher in the other school. Lex saw how she handled her classmates by hitting them with sticks. The teacher became aware of it so she tried her best to be kind to her students.Stolen story; please report.


    Adna understood why Mom Rona laughed with the job of that man from Australia who wrote to Adna was working at tin factory.  It was because of her experience in trying to help her friend looked for empty cans and have it sold at the junk shop and together with Mom Rona¡¯s glass jars, which  was intentionally broken just to be sold too per kilo and gave the money to her friend. Adna also saved money and gave it to her friend to prepare foods for the birthday of her father.  Azia has the same heart with Adna, she always help her friends too. Adna went close to the distant relative who looked so thin and the way she dress is really not presentable. She told Adna, ¡®¡¯help me sell my house, it cost a multi million.  Adna asked her, ¡®¡¯why sell your house?¡¯¡¯ She then answered, ¡®¡¯i still have my four door apartment, we will just move there. I need to pay a debt and that amount of the house, i will only have very little amount left.¡¯¡¯ Adna then learned that her only son is an addict and incur huge amount of debts.  He could no longer recognize her as a mother. Adna suggested to her to have her son in a rehabilitation center so that he could still have a chance to have a new life. Adna then tried to find a buyer, but later she knew that the house was already mortgage to someone else and he will just add a little amount left to complete the price of the house.  She also told Adna about her dressmaker friend, whom she wanted to see when she visited the country, but she stayed away. According to her, ¡®¡¯she might be afraid that i would borrow money from her.¡¯¡¯ A year after, Adna learned that the dressmaker now lives in a home for the aged, too old already. Adna said to Al, ¡®¡¯she wanted to arrange my life, but she was not able to foresee and prepare a beautiful life for herself.¡¯¡¯  Another secret of life is ¡®¡¯Go for your dreams, do not let anyone or anything stop you¡¯¡¯.

 Chapter 48

    Early in the morning, Adna prepared bread on the table and also the hot chocolate for their breakfast.  When Lex woke up, she did not like to eat bread and she wanted to have heavy breakfast. Adna had not yet cook the rice, so she went out to buy cooked rice at a small restaurant near the house.  Adna noticed that Azia was coming after here to buy something. Adna also bought sugar and Al the second who used to buy a kilo or two kilos of rice was still sleeping, so Adna bought the rice instead.  Adna noticed that for quite some time, she did not see the husband of the new store owner. Lex also told one time to her mom that she no longer see that male owner, because everytime she bought something in that store, he seemed so strict and as if he is always superior.  Lex did not like him, so every time she went there, she always make a comment about the character of that male owner who is just ten years older than her. The wife is quite friendly as she is really native in the place while her husband came from a city going to the south.  Adna asked the wife, ¡®¡¯where is your husband? I have not seen him for quite a long time.¡¯¡¯ She answered, ¡®¡¯he is staying in the place where he came from together with his parents.¡¯¡¯ Adna asked again, ¡®¡¯did you both have quarreled each other.¡¯¡¯ She looked at Adna and with teary eyes she answered, ¡®¡¯yes, it has been three months since he left.¡¯¡¯  Adna told her, ¡®¡¯your two children are already big, they are more than ten years old i guess, except your son who is the youngest, it means that your marriage is not just recent, you have been living with each other for many years, why only now that you break up?¡¯¡¯ She did not answer Adna, but it was very clear that she was sad. Adna told her, there are many ups and downs in marriage, and so many factors which could cause disagreements, like financial problem, vices, relationship with extended families or even having someone else.¡¯¡¯  She then answered, ¡®¡¯money is not the problem and there is also no third party, it is really his character that matters.¡¯¡¯ Adna was not surprised with her answer, many times Lex had encountered the character of her husband every time she buys at their store.


    The store owner was just sitting as there were no customers, so Adna gave to Azia all that she bought and told Azia to go home first.  She started talking to the store owner named Beth, ¡®¡¯it is not easy to be in that situation, specially that you have three children. You always call each other ¡®¡¯honey¡¯¡¯ but the marriage is now shakened.  You also have to think of the effect more specifically on the psychological effect to your children. In school, when they would see their classmates with both parents coming with them, then they would surely feel bad about it knowing that their  father is no longer with them. No matter how they would show to you that they are okay, but in truth, they have so many questions in mind, and there follows the emotional hurt deep inside their hearts.¡¯¡¯ Beth just kept silent all the time but she closely listened to Adna with her eyes looking straight to Adna.  Her mother who was the original owner of the store went to the main island because she needed to go to her sister who had been imprisoned for the longest time for the case of killing her husband. It so happened that they went to Adna¡¯s friend who is a doctor and had same marital problem, in order to testify in court that the crime she committed was due to her mental insanity as her defense.  The doctor did not testify for a reason that she is not a psychiatrist doctor. The mother had no time to give advice to her daughter. What matters the most to her is having business and the coming in of money. She did not even take good care of her eldest daughter who was working and she was very ill, then she died on her sleep. All that matters to her is making money and she mostly spend time with her sisters and not much with her own family more particularly her two daughters who now have families, respectively.   Beth showed eagerness in listening to Adna, ¡®¡¯your sister is physically gone for good, and your husband can return to you anytime. Whether you like it or not, time would also come that any of you would go first without return. Why make it the soonest? You can still reconcile with each other and the one who should make the first move is you. It is always the wife who would do the first move as if driving a vehicle and you are the one in control of the steering wheel. How you would use it, it gives the result of everybody with you inside the vehicle you are driving.  If you would not handle with much care, then you would surely fall into the cliff, but if you care so much the persons riding with you because they are your family then you would be very careful in driving the vehicle where you are heading to. It is also uncommon to leave someone behind, you would always love to see everybody with you. If you say that you are abused physically and he became violent to you then that would be the time that you would stay away from him, but if it is just the character, then that is part of loving a person. You do not need to love what is good of him, what is necessary is to love his defects, to accept his shortcomings and fall backs.  You came from two different upbringings, when you live together then you are totally different from each other. Bring back the time when you were so attracted to him, the time when you always miss him and do not allow to give big space separating you both because someone might fill in.¡¯¡¯ Adna noticed that her face became delighted although her eyes just hold her tears for many customers would come and would wonder what is happening. She stood up and came close to Adna and said, ¡®¡¯thank you so much.¡¯¡¯ Adna told her, ¡®¡¯we still have no breakfast at home, so i hope i have spent time to make your burdens light. Always think of your children, you cannot right away decide on your own.  Never forget God to be all the time part of your relationship as a couple. You need God every second of your life just like breathing air which gives life.¡¯¡¯Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

 Chapter 49

    Adna remembered that it was May of 2014 when Azia experienced that there was an annoying noise inside her ears. She was sleeping with Lex and then she went upstairs to wake up her mom Adna for the discomfort she experienced. It was too early, and since there was also a festivity on that day and many people were used to have many visitors so the preparation for food was started at dawn time. Adna who was still half awake just listened to Azia complaining about the annoying noise in her ear and then she told Adna, ¡®¡¯mom, i could not go down, everything is turning around.¡¯¡¯ Adna had to get up right away as what Azia was feeling was already alarming. She assisted Azia in going down and lie back to her bed. Adna did not wake up Al as it was too early. Azia also had the feeling of vomiting.. More than a month, Adna celebrated her birthday with the surprise gift from Lex, they went to a beautiful swimming pool and beach resort in the next city. One of Azia¡¯s classmate who now lives in America, was asked to go with them to the resort. It was comfortable going there because the driver had picked them up from home and then they will also be picked up when they go home. Adna noticed that the area of the pool was too hot, and Azia does not like a hot climate. She drinks not the exact amount of water every day so she easily gets dehydration. Azia and her classmate enjoyed the slides and they did not mind the extreme heat of the sun. In preparation of the feast also, Lex decided to repaint the outside part of the house and Azia helped her. They like to use the paint roller while Al would get the right color they want to apply on the wall. Azia climb up the side roof of the house while painting the second floor wall of the main house. It was also very hot, but since she enjoyed it, Adna was not able to convince Azia to stop painting the wall of the house. These two activities could have caused Azia¡¯s health problem. She had severe vertigo and the continuous ringing of her ear. Adna early in the morning called her friend, the doctor of the priests and nuns. Her servant told Adna, ¡®¡¯ma¡¯am is out of the country, she is in vietnam for a conference.¡¯¡¯ Adna had the difficulty of bringing Azia to the clinic as she cannot stand up due to vertigo, she just kept lying on her bed. She suffered same condition for two days and when the doctor arrived, Adna asked her what medicines to give. Azia was given the medicine for vertigo and also for her vomiting which she would take for one week. When Azia had already the strength to walk, Adna brought her to the EENT specialist. One required her a balance test which was very expensive. Adna looked for another doctor and then she was asked to have a hearing test at the mall. Adna and Al went right away, and after the test, Azia was given the result that her hearing in one ear was already profounc to extreme. Adna lost hope that time, but she had in her mind, God is my refuge, he will cure Azia. She brought Azia to the monastery near the mall. Good enough one of the nuns was there outside her cell, because they just stay all the time inside the monastery as the sisters are contemplative, they are away from the people outside. They just kept praying inside the monastery. Adna asked the sister/nun to pray for her daughter Azia. She told Adna, ¡®¡¯yes, i will pray for Azia and also the other nuns will pray for her.¡¯¡¯ Adna also wrote a prayer petition which goes, ¡®¡¯ you have cured the woman who was bleeding for many years, you have cured the blind and let him see again, and you let the lame walk and the mute you made him speak, I ask now that my daughter¡¯s being partially deaf, be completely healed, Lord Jesus please hear my prayer.¡¯¡¯


    Adna went back to the hospital and the doctor who is her friend was already there in her clinic. Adna told her what Azia was suffering, and then with the three being present, vertigo, vomiting and the ringing in Azia¡¯s ears, she then diagnosed it as Meniers problem. This was also what the first EENT specialist said. Adna¡¯s problem with him is that he only focus more on the laboratory test which is far from the hospital and he did not give any medication to Azia. The doctor friend of Adna gave Azia the medicine for vertigo, the serc 24 mg tablet, and for her meniers, she was given tibonin tablet which has gingko biloba. The second EENT specialist said that the possible cause was that Azia was exposed to a very loud sound. Adna remembered that the neighbor next to their house were having a disco few days before Azia experienced the ear problem. They were using a huge sound system. Adna felt in her heart too much anger but for this time her priority is to cure the illness that Azia is experiencing. Her faith in God that Azia will be alright. The doctor advised Azia to stop for a while her studies in law. Stress could not help in the fast recovery of Azia. Medications were for two months, then extended to one month. Azia had weight loss, but she still looks beautiful and at all times smart. Her character only changed a little possibly because of the medication, she became somewhat sensitive and easily gets mad. It has been five years now, Azia¡¯s hearing gradually came back and she was able to work but Adma always accompany Azia in going to work and then also pick up Azia from work to accompany her in going home.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    As Adna¡¯s way of thanksgiving, she would always attend the nine days mass of the monastery and its feast celebration every july 16, everybody in the family would go there. The Holy Mass on the feast day is done every hour, so after lunch, Adna would already ask Al, Lex and Al the second to get ready and they would all attend the mass. Azia who was working would just be there after her work as it is only near from her workplace. The holy mass they attended was 2:00 o¡¯clock in the afternoon, then they wait Azia until 6:00 in the evening to be able to attend the Holy Mass. One of the priests noticed that Adna and the family were still there, so he asked Adna, ¡®¡¯you are still here¡± and then Adna answered, ¡®¡¯yes, because Azia has not yet attend the Holy Mass.¡¯¡¯ When Azia arrived, Adna wanted her to have her dinner first in the restaurant outside the monastery but the new friend of Adna from that place, brought them in the monastery¡¯s prepared foods for the celebrants priests and other guests. They had dinner there, and while having conversation, she told Adna that her husband had his two legs amputated because of diabetes and that she had hard time for her finances especially sending her son to the seminary to become a priest. Adna told her, believe in God and use the gift that you received from him, your beautiful voice. Adna had first knew her when she watched the television channel who covered the religious mini-concert done for fundraising. She was one of the singers. She listened to Adna, she compete in the singing contest whose contestants were from the different parts of the country. She won many times with a big amount of money as its prize and then one of the famous actors, offered to buy artificial legs for her husband.


    Adna knew about the monastery through her dream. Adna saw a beautiful lady wearing brown clothes and carrying a baby. She told Adna in her dream, ¡®¡¯i would like to ask roses from you and i am at the back of the church, a big church next to Adna¡¯s city. Adna then came to know that beautiful lady through her friend, a mother superior of a congregation of nuns, who is very close to the old bishop. ¡®¡¯Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.¡¯¡¯ Thank you for the miracle you give to my daughter Azia. The specialist said, it was profound and extreme, meaning no more hope, but you proved, he is wrong because he is only human. You are the great one because of being Divine. Amen.

 Chapter 50

    Always do your best, your best is going to change from moment to moment, it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick.  Under any circumstances, simply do your best, and you will avoid self judgment, self-abuse and regret. This is true because the greatest enemy you have is yourself.  Many thoughts like assumptions, speculations, suspicion and mistrust are all created in a person¡¯s mind that would create much worry, fear, anxiety and depression. The mind always fill the past, the present and the future.  The past experiences would have a strong hold that prevents one¡¯s self from moving on and the thought of the future brings much worries because of its uncertainties. The present also has its own, the struggle in order to survive, the main idea of achieving the success at that very day.  One cannot wait for another day in order to be successful. One desires to be wealthy in an instant. The contrary most probably is the reality, not being wealthy and health, but drown to debt and obligations which could cause mental stress and weakness in the faith of the very own self. The most common of all is the feeling of self-pity, that would lead to regret and self-blame.  Why hate our very own-self? Why not become a best friend of one¡¯s self? Why look and depend on someone else called best friend and then later on become worst enemies and all the secrets which has to be kept will be divulge into public. No person would betray her own self, other person would do, because of envy, jealousy, greed and unloyalty. There are even times when siblings pick their own special friends who are not family members or blood related.  They give much trust and favors more than they give to their own sister or brother. They become more kind, more understanding to the so called bff, or best friends forever. They open up to them every detail and every secret may it be lovelife, career, and future plans in life. The attachments to them is more tight than the attachments they give to a family member. They always give a ¡®¡¯yes¡¯¡¯ every favor asked from them, but needs a long discussion that would even result to a debate, when a family member would ask help or favor.  The reason for all these is the experiences instilled in their minds during the past, when they were still young, when they would fight for small things like toys, food, and money. They would not forget it, that would be the basis why no more favor for you because you were not kind to me when we were young. Unforgettable experience, when one is the favorite of the parents, and the other is seemed neglected. Another basis is when one is more beautiful than the other, or more intelligent than the other. One would say, I am the favorite child of my father.  The other would say, I am the favorite of my mother.


    When Adna attended the wedding in the distant province, where they slept overnight in the so called haunted house, Adna had the chance to talk with the older sister of the bride who is Adna¡¯s friend.   She is a nun and her younger sister is also a nun but had decided to go out from her congregation and then she married a widower with many children. Adna¡¯s friend is her younger sister, and she shared to Adna when it happened.  Adna was the one who facilitated their father when he was hospitalized, arranged the payment through a Letter of Authority which would give them an ample time to look for money and pay their financial obligation. Adna was always the refuge of her friend whenever there  were problems in her family. The active nun, always talked about her sister who was a former nun. Adna could not believe that she would hear such negative comments from a nun¡¯s mouth. Adna then just listened to her, ¡®¡¯i am the favorite child of my father, when he was hospitalized and was scheduled for operation, it was me who decided and talked with the doctor that no operation would be performed as we have no money, just medication.¡¯¡¯  Adna replied, ¡®¡¯if you were his favorite, why is it that your younger sister is named after him?¡¯¡¯ She paused and looked at Adna, it was an unexpected truth expressed by Adna. Truth is painful, but Adna was just honestly saying what was in her mind. She continued, when she was young and i want her to do something, i would throw to her a coconut husk. My other sister just brought shame to the family marrying a man with many children and my father was problematic about her, and he died because of her.¡¯¡¯  Adna said, to her, ¡®¡¯i was there when your father was brought to the hospital, the doctor who handled your father is my friend and the neuro-surgeon she referred is a neurosurgeon specialist and his professional fee is unachievable for ordinary persons, but he offered his services for free. I knew your father¡¯s condition even when he was at the emergency room, he was already hopeless, he was immediately transferred to the intensive care unit which required a big amount of money for a deposit, but i told the business office that it will be a letter of authority which would just follow, then the big money for deposit was no longer required.  Your father¡¯s condition was too critical, in fact your sister called many priests to come and give him the sacrament of the anointing of the sick, but nobody came. When i learned that one of the priests said he could not come as he has an important thing to do, i called him to come cause he would have a moral obligation if he refuse and the patient would die without receiving it, then he came.¡¯¡¯ It is not because of your sister who just followed the dictate of her heart in her choice of being in love, stop blaming her.¡¯¡¯ I understood that you have sibling rivalry in the family, and being a nun you must practice humility.¡¯¡¯ You should be thankful, your father survived ten years, where you could have embraced him, serve him, and make memories before he left  this world, the good memories of course. You have to be grateful to that blessing that God has given you. The long time he extended to your father and i know why, it is because of your younger sister who is named after him, she loves your father so much and i am a witness to that.¡¯¡¯ Azia, Lex, and Al the second who heard every discussion shared to their mom their observations, ¡®¡¯she is not a nun, her character is not good.¡¯¡¯ On the other hand, nuns who normally is addressed with ¡®¡¯sister¡¯¡¯ as a sign of respect, Adna called and addressed her by her name. She was wearing the habit of a nun but Adna just treat her like the ordinary siblings she had. From inside of the house, their brother came in, and their mother were also there, Adna¡¯s friend, the bride to be said, ¡®¡¯that is Adna, she was the one who helped our father when he was hospitalized and provided the doctors as well. Adna also facilitated in allowing our father to check out from the hospital even having not paid the hospital bill yet.  Our father when he was alive always wanted Adna to visit here so that he could personally thank her, but she did not come, only now to attend my wedding.¡¯¡¯Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    When Adna had her last work as a missionary, the legal clinic side by side with the medical clinic, one of her relatives gave food to Adna for the lawyers and doctors.  Her two children now worked in Australia with the help of her well off/rich sister but with also a very bad character. Her sister is married to an older man whose work generates good income.  She could extend financial help to her family like her sister and her nieces but with a lot of bad words coming out from her mouth which truly hurts them. Her two children now live independent from their aunt after being alleged that she flirted with the husband.  That started their animosity and everytime she comes to the country for a visit or to buy properties, the older sister never meet her. One time she told Adna, ¡®¡¯she is now in her newly bought house and it is near the beach, go and visit her.¡¯¡¯ Adna replied, ¡®¡¯what about you, then we both go there.¡¯¡¯  She answered, ¡®¡¯no, i can¡¯t¡¯¡¯. She may shout at me and say, ¡®¡¯why are you here, am i inviting you, you would be asking money?¡¯¡¯ Adna smiled and said, ¡®¡¯she would be surprised if i go there and she might also ask me, ¡®¡¯am i inviting you?¡¯¡¯ Then they both laughed. When they were young they lived at the back of the chapel which was also in front of the house of Papa Mar and Mom Rona.  The fence of Papa Mar¡¯s surroundings were not concrete, so Adna could see the passers by. Adna since she cannot go out of their place, would just sit at the porch and then she saw that their parents would quarrel and the father physically abused the mother. Adna could not withstand seeing the situation. When the fight was over, she would call the younger sister who was crying. Adna asked her if she have money when she goes to school.  She answered ¡®¡¯no¡¯¡¯. Adna would get in to the house and asked money from Mom Rona to buy condensed milk and she would cook it as milk candy. She also asked someone to help her, During that time, Adna was young and Al was not yet in her life. She made many candies and then she would ask the younger sister of her friend to bring it to school and sell the milk candies and she can use the money. She has two younger sisters as well the older one, Adna¡¯s friend.  There were days when she went to Adna and cried, her sisters ate the candies and they did not pay. Adna told her, ¡®¡¯do not worry, i will make more candies for you to sell. As she grew, she became very responsible in making money, she goes to the market at 3:00 a.m. every day to sell. Their products were meat so she was used to hold big amount of money. The other sisters as well as the parents became dependent to her, she became the breadwinner of the family.  As years came by, she happened to have a pen pal who hails in Australia, but the man was even older than her father. They visited Adna¡¯s house and introduced her soon to be husband to Adna. The man was nice and kind. Adna talked to him with sincerity, ¡®¡¯she had been working hard though she is young, she goes to the market a 3:00 a.m. everyday, please handle her with much care that she never experienced from her parents.¡¯¡¯ She is so loved by her husband, financially she is well provided.  Adna knew that deep inside of that young woman is the debt of gratitude towards Adna, but all the help which Adna extended to her though remembered is not counted. She one time told and invited Adna that she can go to Australia and everything like house, food and medicine will be given and provided for Adna but it was not the priority of Adna to go to other countries with no significant intent. She is happy in the place where she belonged because this is where God wants her to be. If they just realize how short time is, they would not waste it with sibling rivalry but instead make use of the time to make good memories as they grow old.  It is essential in life, every person is just given the chance to make good memories with their loved ones, spending time with each other.

 Chapter 51

    Adna¡¯s classmates are having a reunion with different itineraries, including dinners in the place of some classmates who live in the city nearby. Many also of Adna¡¯s classmates worked in another countries, and now they are here just to spend bonding time with their classmates in high school. Adna studied in an exclusive school for girls which students only belonged to the upper class of the society, but despite its cost, Papa Mar and Mom Rona was providing Adna the best education offered in their city which was run by nuns. The nuns were very strict, the gates were closed in the entire school hours and no one was allowed to went out from the classroom except going to the bathroom but with the permission of the teacher. Their uniform was really formal with a necktie and the skirt must be below the knees. When classes were finished, some students would practice volleyball and since the gates were already open, there were classmates of Adna who would agree to go to an afternoon disco in the next city. They would bring another skirt in order not to be identified and then one classmate would ask Adna to keep her uniform, and warn Adna not to tell her Dad in case he would ask. Her father was somewhat strict being a judge. Adna just kept quiet, she never joined the group, Adna went straight home and she never spend extra time outside school. Al told Adna, ¡®¡¯you can join them so that you can also enjoy their company.¡¯¡¯ Adna answered, ¡®¡¯i don¡¯t see any significance in joining them, why leave the family at home on their own and spend time with classmates whose family is not complete, they escape from their family and find another joy with the former classmates. We had been together five days in a week with the same seatmate all throughout the academic year and that was for four years, wouldn¡¯t that be enough?¡¯¡¯ Besides, the different trips are not for free and you have to pay for yourself. I should have spend that money having outing with my family, that would be the money¡¯s worth.¡¯¡¯ Few years back, when they offered a Thanksgiving mass, it was also in time when Adna and Al went to attend the Holy mass at the same time. When they saw Adna, the leader of the batch group immediately came near to Adna and also told Al, it had been long time that we had been looking for her, almost all our classmates are looking for Adna, can you spend time with us now just for a simple dinner? Her house was just a walking distance from the church but she permanently lived in the U.S. Adna saw many classmates in her house those who did not attend the Holy Mass. Adna saw, some were already somewhat old, some gained weight and then they saw only Adna was with her husband. Al was asked by one of Adna¡¯s classmate who is a distant relative to take pictures. Adna had a short talk with different classmates and they told Adna that every year they would meet and have reunion, aside from the yearly alumni reunion in school. Adna was only familiar with the life of her classmate, a doctor because she helped Adna whenever she distributes hand down clothes in the church before Christmas. For her other classmates, it is their first time to share with Adna about their lives. One had separated with her husband and she travels most of the time outside the country just being a tourist. Another classmate whose daughter is a flight attendant had a beautiful life, but her husband would hurt her physically so she decided to separate with him. Another classmate, her husband died in America, one classmate, her husband died in Hawaii. They are all financially stable. One classmate is making good income but her husband suddenly got sick and could no longer work. Adna noticed why her face always looked serious and she could hardly smile, She is very pretty but really she looked unhappy. Adna asked her, ¡®¡¯you are very rich with such a big income, but why are you not happy?¡¯¡¯ She answered, ¡®¡¯in America, if you do not work, you cannot eat.¡¯¡¯


    One if Adna¡¯s classmate told her, ¡®¡¯Adna, we will have a beach party tomorrow, come with us.¡¯¡¯ Adna answered, ¡®¡¯if i could bring my husband and my three children, then i will join the beach party.¡¯¡¯ Adna then told Lex, Azia, and Al the second that they would go to the beach the next day. Adna was told by her classmate that she could bring her family as they would also bring their family. It was announced that the family can join them. Many families attended there, the children of Adna¡¯s classmates had come to know Lex, Azia, and Al the second. They also had bonding as they shared the resort¡¯s room while Adna and her classmates were just using the two cottages of the resort. Suddenly there was a commotion in the next cottage. There was a snake that they wanted to catch but the snake was not a slow moving, it was fast. It reached the cottage of Adna and her classmates and the snake was heading to the travel bag of Adna which contains their towels and clothes. Adna wanted to get her bag but Lex stopped her mom. Al was also just a little far from the cottage and he had fun talking with his son Al the second. Then the snake went up to the cottage post and then it headed outside and the people there were not able to catch. Adna told Lex, we would leave early in order to be safe, we could still see clearly the path going to the car of Adna¡¯s classmate, a dentist who would also go home earlier than the others. She would drive home Adna, Al, Lex, Azia, and Al the second. She lives just near the church and Adna¡¯s family would just be dropped by there. Before going home, they all went back inside the cottage and there were lots of foods. One classmate of Adna has a catering business and she brought plenty of foods. Adna had the chance to talk with their batch leader and she was just joking saying, ¡®¡¯let me go to your place in America.¡¯¡¯ Adna was told by her, ¡®¡¯do you think it is like heaven working and living there? Would we come home if that is so. Life there is not as easy as other people would think, in fact one of our classmates who is a doctor had financial struggle there and asked my help.¡¯¡¯ We always want to come home and enjoy because there it is all the time, work, work and work to catch up with our bills.¡¯¡¯Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Many would think that to work abroad whose currency is of great value, their life is full of bliss. It is not, because their pay per hour is only little and their obligations in paying the house, the car, education, insurances and the airfare when they travel is normally through a credit card which interest would be a compound interest. Their lifeline is credit and they become black listed when they fail to pay on time. It was in April of 2015, when the husband of Adna¡¯s aunt came all alone by himself to visit Adna. His wife, died because of cancer. Adna thought that he would be visiting because Al the second¡¯s graduation in the course of Bachelor of Science in Psychology. The graduation of Al the second was on the very same date of Adna¡¯s birthday, so it was joint celebration. The American husband of Adna¡¯s aunt came a week after the celebration. Adna had reserved the restaurant for a good dinner for him in the same restaurant where the joint celebration of Al the second and Adna was held. He told Adna, ¡®¡¯i will be staying here in your house for four days.¡¯¡¯ Adna answered, ¡®¡¯i hope you would be comfortable in your stay with us, because when you both came here before in 2001, you stayed in the hotel with your wife.¡¯¡¯ He answered, ¡®¡¯i am okay, it would be nice to spend time with your children.¡¯¡¯ Adna and her family all transferred to sleep upstairs as he would be staying downstairs. They had a talk at Adna¡¯¡¯s garden before dinner, and he just suddenly mentioned, that he would marry someone else. The sister of the wife of his brother in law, the younger brother of his wife. Adna knew in 2001 when they also came and stayed at the house of Papa Mar, the wife was so clever. She borrowed the beautiful pair of sandals bought by Adna for Lex and she brought it to the island where Adna had visited, but when she came back she did not come to Adna¡¯s house anymore. She stayed at the house of a relative. Adna¡¯s aunt said, ¡®¡¯she is already back¡¯¡¯ Adna send someone to get the new pair of sandals of Lex which has not been used yet, but instead she sent another pair of cheap sandals. Adna went straight to her and asked to return the sandals of her daughter. Adna did not leave until such time the pair of sandals was returned to her. If she would marry the younger sister, Adna preempted her aunt¡¯s husband would be like a dressed chicken. She already asked for a huge amount to buy a property and he was willing to give. She told Adna, ¡®¡¯i love your aunt so much..¡¯¡¯ Adna answered, ¡®¡¯if you truly love her then no one could replace her.¡¯¡¯ Adna suggested, ¡®¡¯if you want to marry just for companionship, you can choose a good woman, i can introduce you to a doctor who is my friend, not because of money as a reason to marry you but for the sake of companionship.¡¯¡¯ Adna strongly disagreed with his choice. As conversation continued, he then shared to Adna that when his wife was hospitalized, he missed to pay the monthly installment of the house. The bank already notified him that his house be foreclosed. Adna remembered that when she was in the University, they were already living in that house and for the longest time, he had not completely paid it yet. He then said, that he would just walk away from that house and would rent a small place which would be paid from his monthly pension. He was a merchant seaman before he retired, but the house obligation is really that big that he was not able to pay in full for the many years in his life. He did not marry and it was true that he moved out from his house and rented a small place. Two years later, Adna was informed that he died due to cancer. Adna told Al, ¡®¡¯his wife is now happy that he joined her.¡¯¡¯

 Chapter 52 The Finale

    CHAPTER 52 The Finale


    ¡°And he said, cast your burdens upon me those who are heavily ladened, come to me all of you who are tired of carrying heavy loads, for the yoke i will give you is easy and my burden is light, come to me and i will give you rest.¡± Time and time again there is a repetition of tests in life, no peace and all struggles and stress. The feeling of being alone and helpless. In life, one is filled up with emotions may it be negative emotion like being unhappy or sad, being hysterical in an outburst of anger, being domineering and self-centered, being greedy and selfish, being a liar and defensive, being hungry of power and wealth, being a narcissistic, being insecure, being overproud, being dishonest, being a cheater. All these traits are negative and the genuine feeling having these traits are negative emotions. Persons having these bad traits may be seen and heard laughing out loud but in their hearts, they are restless and not joyful. On the good side is the positive emotions filled with contentment, being thankful and grateful, loving and caring, joyful and trustful, loyal and faithful, generous and compassionate, meek and humble, steadfast in love, service with sincerity, respectful, friendly, intelligent and


    has the willpower, great ideas for a noble cause, most of all value so much the family. These traits of a person gives a peaceful heart and mind giving a positive emotion.


    Each one is worthy of having a beautiful life that he/she deserved. Life is just like a vacation may it be long or short, one just have to enjoy. It is just a matter of choice and make a decision. Live a life with positivity or waste life with all the negativities that the world has plenty to offer. Leave a legacy and cherish good memories or leave being forgettable and unremembered. No one is immortal but man is made in the image and likeness of our Creator who is Infinite, body dies but the spirit continues its journey towards eternity. Craving much of material possessions eats almost all the time a person owns in a lifetime. The importance of the true life which is eternal has been unthink of. The focus is more on the mortal life which end is certain yet as to the time when it ends only God has knowledge of its perfect time. Come to think of it, Aunt Feliz left this world in September 12, then Uncle Mike in May 12 and Aunt Felip died in January 12. There must be someone up there who holds the schedule of God¡¯s perfect time and the reason why in just a layman¡¯s understanding is on how Adna loved and continues loving them so much. It is easy for Adna to remember Papa Mar and Mom Rona, her love for the both is overflowing and birthdays of them all


    are well celebrated but God and the assigned scheduler made easy for Adna the date they left. Number 12 is significant to Adna. She never miss to remember the moment when her loving aunts and uncle left her. God was watching over Adna and He was there in every situation. Adna was never alone in her journey with Papa Mar and Mom Rona who nurtured her more than a biological parent would do. God even gave Adna a bonus having extra care and love from Aunt Felip, Aunt Feliz, Uncle Mike and Uncle Rom. God blessed them with long life to have reached Adna¡¯s children who loved them more. They were given extra time to be able to teach the children personally about the good things in life. Adna is so grateful to them until the end of time.Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Azia had all the time been expressing how much she liked to watch the movie ¡°Alladin¡±. She wanted that everybody in the family would watch the movie, too. Adna has to wait for Lex who had no vacant time for the movie for being so busy. Yesterday, early in the morning Adna woke up and she was praying to God, asking Him guidance to pinpoint the cause of Azia¡¯s weight loss. Growing up Azia was very chubby and with her chinese looking eyes, some friends would tell she looks like Bhudda . To continue her studies in law, Adna wants her to gain weight, healthy enough to spend long hours studying as it requires long time reading to familiarize and memorize all laws written in the book aside from the many court decisions referred as jurisprudence. Adna saw in her dream that her friend who is a singer died and Adna saw Azia crying so Adna brought her outside the place. Adna knew it was not a good dream so she just prayed to God. When Azia woke up, she went to the garden and had a running exercise. Al the second told Adna, ¡°mom, she was running ten rounds.¡± Adna who was inside Lex room to answer a telephone call saw Lex standing on the door and said,¡± mom, Azia is fainting, her lips is so pale. Adna dropped the call and brought Azia to her bed and did not let her lie down at first but just let her sit. Adna asked Azia to drink not so hot plain water and also placed a bottle of hot water on her stomach. Adna remembered her dream and silently speak to God, ¡°is this the one i saw in my dream?¡± Adna had no fear, she knows God would not abandon her daughter Azia. When Azia felt better, Adna asked her to lie down. Adna called the doctor but she would not have clinic until three days. Adna requested Al the second to buy gaviscon tablet for Azia¡¯s hyperacidity. She complained of difficulty breathing after running exercise with an empty stomach. Azia as she was growing up had asthma problem and based on studies it has no cure, only prevention. Excessive exercise is one of the triggers of having an asthma attack. When there is an acid reflux, it blocks the air passage and when the brain lacks oxygen the patient would lose consciousness. Adna understood it was an acid reflux which caused Azia to almost faint and the narrowing of air passage especially the bronchial tube is due to her being asthmatic. It is good to let her drink a bit hot water as it would help widen the air passages and bring down the acids that prevents the oxygen supply to the brain. When Al the second arrived bringing the gaviscon tablet, Adna asked Azia to take the medicine. After few hours rest she was well. Lex told her mom , ¡° let Azia watch Alladin with you and dad, then tomorrow I will also watch Alladin with Al the second.¡± Azia who heard Lex told Adna, ¡°i will take a bath mom before going to watch Alladin.¡± Adna answered, is your condition better?¡± ¡°yes, i am good, mom.¡± Then, Al, Adna and Azia went to watch alladin, such a beautiful movie. Adna learned many good values from the movie. Good is always victorious over evil.


    The secret of life is living your life with GOD.


    Through experience, Adna grew up seeing Mom Rona and Papa Mar teaching Adna good values in life, being a prayerful family as if praying is like breathing the air, never miss a single moment to talk to God in heart and mind. Putting faith into action as a visible instrument of God in serving less fortunate faithfuls to God. Success in married life and having beautiful children are gifts from God. The wisdom to understand, the inexpensive provisions like ordinary medicines used and a simple hot water which healed Azia, an answered prayer of Adna for guidance she earnestly asked from God. Be brave, though this world is a valley of tears dominated by people equipped with negative emotions, live your life with God together with your family and this vacation privilege called life is a happy, memorable and a significant one. When the assigned scheduler would say,¡±TIME FINISHED¡±, you would say,¡±Thank you father God for always making me and my family feeling great as you are the GREAT ONE.¡±