Ang Tabo

(Photo: I am ready, Mama.)

First day ni Isabela sa kindergarten kahapon.

Super excited sya. Actually, halos buong pamilya excited. Si Ate nya excited na di maintindihan. Si Papa nya excited na lubos lubos. Si ako naman, yipee excited kasi biglang alone at once ako sa bahay.

Ayan na. Gising ng maaga. Run to the toilet. Had breakfast. Brush the teeth. Cleaned up. Dressed up. Plus, hair do pa. Nung paalis na kami. Biglang di mapakali ang Isabela.

'Mama, I must go poop.' As usual, kapag tapos na at ready na ang lahat, hay... So I told her to run to the toilet and do her thing.

But she was back in a second saying, 'Mama, I can go poop in the kindergarten. They also have toilets there.'

And I said to her, 'ok, then we must go.'

Pero teka, di pa sya tapos. 'Oh but mom, don't forget to bring a tabo for me. Because I am sure they don't have one in the kindergarten'.

Ganun, tabo in kindergarten? Mwahahaha!!! Am sure ma shock sangkatauhan sa magic na nagagawa ng tabo na yan. At sempre, biglang labas din ang secret ng aming pamilya.

Although I am really thinking, should I bring one? It wouldn't hurt to have a big laugh. And maybe, start a new toilet tradition. A vote, anyone?

A Band Aid for Jesus

(Photo: Almost on top of the world!)

One night in February 2007, in Kleinwalsertal, Austria -

Michaela asked her Papa, 'Why don't people give Jesus a band aid for his wounds?'

My husband can't give her an answer so he simply said,' You better ask Anselm's Mama (who is a woman pastor) when we go home.' Anselm is one of her classmates in kindergarten.

When I learned about the question in the morning, I tried to give her a simple answer. That maybe Jesus doesnt want band aids in His wounds. Because His blood is the symbol of His love for all of mankind. And also because, His wounds shows that He is our Savior.

Maybe it is not so simple, my words. But she took it in and was silent. And I asked her what made her ask the question. She said 'Because I always see Jesus on the cross here all over.'

Oh yes. Austria is a very much Catholic country. And in almost every corner, in the woods, on top of the mountains or in the restaurants, you can see a crucifix.
I think she got overwhelmed and just had to ask.

Although when she was still a small kid, I was already amazed on how she examines Jesus on the cross everytime we visit our church. Sometimes I just think she's fascinated because she's a little bit afraid.

And then again, it is just maybe, that the question about the band aid just kept on circling her mind that she just had to ask about it. I hope I gave her a satisfying enough answer!

Three Eyed Mama

Before going to bed, one evening, my eldest daughter asked me 'Mama, how is it that you can see things even if you're eyes are both closed?'

She was referring to the fact that I seem to know what she is doing, although I am supposed to be asleep. With both eyes closed. Or I get to know things, even though I am not in the same room with her.

So I told her, what I feel and know to be the truth. That her Mama have a third eye. I guess this is true for all mothers and fathers. Although our third eye refer to our heart, our emotions, and simply because we know our kids.

Then she asked me if she would also have a third eye when she goes to school. I explained to her, that she will earn her third eye, when she became a mother, too.