When God Created Mothers

When the Good Lord was creating mothers, He was into His sixth day of "overtime" when the angel appeared and said. "You're doing a lot of fiddling around on this one."

And God said, "Have you read the specs on this order?" She has to be completely washable, but not plastic. Have 180 moveable parts...all replaceable. Run on black coffee and leftovers. Have a lap that disappears when she stands up. A kiss that can cure anything from a broken leg to a disappointed love affair. And six pairs of hands."

The angel shook her head slowly and said. "Six pairs of hands.... no way."

It's not the hands that are causing me problems," God remarked, "it's the three pairs of eyes that mothers have to have."

That's on the standard model?" asked the angel. God nodded.

One pair that sees through closed doors when she asks, 'What are you kids doing in there?' when she already knows. Another here in the back of her head that sees what she shouldn't but what she has to know, and of course the ones here in front that can look at a child when he goofs up and say. 'I understand and I love you' without so much as uttering a word."

God," said the angel touching his sleeve gently, "Get some rest tomorrow...."

I can't," said God, "I'm so close to creating something so close to myself. Already I have one who heals herself when she is sick...can feed a family of six on one pound of hamburger...and can get a nine year old to stand under a shower."

The angel circled the model of a mother very slowly. "It's too soft," she sighed.

But tough!" said God excitedly. "You can imagine what this mother can do or endure."

Can it think?"

Not only can it think, but it can reason and compromise," said the Creator.

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek.

There's a leak," she pronounced. "I told You that You were trying to put too much into this model."

It's not a leak," said the Lord, "It's a tear."

What's it for?"

It's for joy, sadness, disappointment, pain, loneliness, and pride."

You are a genius, " said the angel.

Somberly, God said, "I didn't put it there.”

― Erma Bombeck, When God Created Mothers

You are You

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Quotes by Dr. Seuss. Hydrangea taken by joelliea at Floating Market, Lembang (August 3, 2014)

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Birthday

Something's Not Invisible on 2014 Grammy Awards

Not many people know that though I love singing too much, I'm more a movie person than a music person. As simple as I prefer visual than audio. Or the combination of both.

Call me old-fashioned, I find it a bit hard to keep up with music nowadays.  I guess I'm still clinging on to the songs that I grew up with. Well, it doesn't mean I'm not opened for new songs or new artists, but they have to catch me.

Grammy Awards has never been much appealing to me.  I don't know, it kinda annoys me when they're redundant with limited nominees for various award category.  Like one artist/song is nominated for 3-4 categories.  Or I hear the same song or certain artist's name been mentioned over and over again throughout the ceremony .. and WIN again and again (especially when they're unknown to me).  Like there's no other good enough to be considered.  Sometimes I feel there's monopoly ruling.

And usually I don't favour most of the winners.

(Oh wait.  Maybe it's because I have never listened to the winning songs/artists)

I do enjoy the performances though.  As stated above, it's the combination of both, visual and audio.  So it was not that difficult to do, sitting back on The 56th Annual Grammy Awards' performances while chatting on mobile with some friends and nibbling on some chocolates last Monday night.

What could anyone expect me to do while watching Beyonce and whatever she was doing on that chair?  Eeeee-yaaaaw.

Then Lorde went way-above-her-age wicked style in "Royals". This girl .. she's 17. Seven-holy-teen! Tsk.

Then L.L. Cool J. asked me to listen ..

Ok. *still trying to peek on my mobile chats and sneaking in chocolates into my mouth*

.. and this young guy on a piano appeared out of nowhere, playing and singing nice tunes, with inspirational quotes flashing on the background, and he asked me to listen for a minute ..

Trust the one who's been where you are wishing all it was / was sticks and stones / those words cut deep but they don't mean you're all alone / and you're not invisible

.. and he went on .. Hear me out ..

SOLD!  I stopped nibbling, chats and chocolates were completely forgotten ..

.. there's so much more to life than what you're feeling now / someday you'll look back on all these days / and all this pain is gonna be invisible

Then the band ascended, the guy stood up and grabbed the mic stand - this was the point where I made my mobile more useful not to chat, but to touch Shazam instead.  Blessed the creator, it showed: 

The 56th Grammy Awards

Hunter Hayes 

INVISIBLE

True, he was kinda lost in the pitch department - it was not the best vocal of the night. But he definitely was not lost on that big stage, in front of his seniors in the audience. His performance had his heart pouring out. He engaged his audience with a powerful anti-bullying message, with his passionate rendition.

You don't need anybody to tell you who you are or what you are.  You are what you are.

~ John Lennon

Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice.  And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.

~ Steve Jobs

There really is no difference between the bully and the victim.

~ Lady Gaga

As a teenager I was so insecure.  I was the type of guy that never fit in because he never dared to choose.  I was convinced I had no talent at all.

~ Johnny Depp

I get it Hunter Hayes is not new in the business.  Yet he's one of the obscures for me.  Talking about dare to do something different, this 22-year-old debuted this very brand new song right there .. on Grammy telecast! Yea, he caught me big time. Blew me away.  That was 3+ minutes worth listening, a performance so good it overcame any flaws.  It basically wrapped up the show, I didn't bother putting much effort to watch the rest. 

(Well, I did watch the wonderful duo - Carole King and Sara Bareilles - singing "Beautiful / Brave", two songs which complimented each other and are almost similar with strong messages).

"Invisible" Official Lyric Video was posted on Hayes' YouTube channel on the same day as the Grammy telecast.  He sounds very pleasant in studio track.  I'm currently addicted to it.

[UPDATE] And his official music video:

So here's to you and here's to anyone who's ever felt invisible ..

Happy New Year 2014

Children

Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.

Anakmu bukan milikmu.
Mereka adalah putra-putri Sang Hidup, yang rindu akan dirinya sendiri.
Mereka lahir lewat engkau, tetapi bukan dari engkau.
Mereka ada padamu, tetapi bukan milikmu.
Berilah mereka kasih sayang, namun jangan berikan pemikiranmu.
Karena pada mereka ada alam pikiran sendiri.
Patut kau berikan rumah bagi raganya, namun tidak bagi jiwanya.
Sebab jiwa mereka adalah penghuni rumah masa depan
yang tidak dapat kau kunjungi, sekalipun dalam mimpi.
Engkau boleh berusaha menyerupai mereka, namun tidak boleh membuat mereka menyerupai engkau.
Sebab kehidupan tidak pernah berjalan mundur ataupun tenggelam ke masa lampau.
Engkaulah busur tempat anakmu, anak panah hidup, melesat pergi.

~ Kahlil Gibran (The Prophet Page 17)

If I Could Keep You Little

If I could keep you little ..

.. but then I'd miss you singing.

If I could keep you little,

I'd hold your hand everywhere ..

.. but then I'd miss you knowing, "I can go .. you stay there."

If I could keep you little,

I'd kiss your cuts and scrapes ..

.. but then I'd miss you learning from your own mistakes.

If I could keep you little,

I'd strap you in real tight.

If I could keep you little,

I'd keep you close to me ..

.. but then I'd miss you growing into who you're meant to be!

3P - Picture Perfect Painting

Cimory Riverside, Cisarua

The Lunar Love

Since love grows within you, so beauty grows.  For love is the beauty of the soul. 

~ St. Aurelius Augustine ~

Where we love is home, home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.

~ Oliver Wendall Holmes ~

Love is the emblem of eternity; it confounds all notion of time; 

effaces all memory of a beginning, all fear of an end.

~ Germaine De Stael ~

For every beauty there is an eye somewhere to see it.

For every truth there is an ear somewhere to hear it.

For every love there is a heart somewhere to receive it.

~ Ivan Panin ~

Love doesn't make the world go round.  Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.

~ Franklin Jones ~

You come to love by not finding the perfect person, 

but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly.

~ Sam Keen ~

A loving heart is the beginning of all knowledge.

~ Thomas Carlyle ~

Faith makes all things possible ... love makes all things easy.

~ Dwight L. Moody ~

A loving hearts is the truest wisdom.

~ Charles Dickens ~

Love takes off masks that we fear we cannot live without and know we cannot live within.

~ James A. Baldwin ~

Love is the joy of the good, the wonder of the wise, the amazement of the gods.

~ Plato ~

Love is just a word until someone comes along and gives it meaning.

~ Anonymous ~

Moon Orchids bloomin' throughout the Lunar New Year and Valentine's week.

All pictures are taken at my mom's frontyard.  

By me .. of course.

A Brand New Angel

This morning I woke up,
looked at the Connecticut sky.
I had a good feeling
I can't tell you why.

I kissed Mommy goodbye,
and told Daddy I love you.
And before we separated at the sign,

I told sister see you soon.

The bell rung,
we all rushed inside.
It was warm and loving
like a campfire light.

The teacher smiled,
my friends waved hello.
We started class,
but before you know..

The door busted open,
a man with a gun.
I was scared and broken
I looked at the sun.

The same sun I saw
with so much love.
Now brought me worry
but I'd stay tough.

I felt a pain
go through my whole body.
I saw a light
and an awful goodbye.

I saw Mommy's face,
her beautiful, soft lips.
I kissed her this morning,
she was something I'd miss.

I smelled Daddy's cologne,
when he hugged me today.
He left for work,
not knowing what life would take.

Sister was only a few blocks away,
in a classroom, I could see
I'll never get to say
how much she means to me.

My 6th birthday was coming soon,
I was dreaming of ponies
dolls
and shoes.

Then I felt a hand
touch my face.
I was overwhelmed
in an amazing grace.

God said to me,
"Don't be worry, child.
you've been here before.
it's just been a while."

I looked on my back,
where I found wings.
I felt a halo
and clouds under my feet.

With me, when I looked,
were my friends by my side.
That man sent us here,
but I"m alright.

Maybe he was sick,
maybe he was crazy.
Maybe he hurt us
because he was hurting, maybe?

I watch the tears
all over the country.
Over the few years
their pain because of me.

I watched my family
break apart.
but they knew
I was in their hearts.

I don't know much,
but I know this;
my mommy should've never
had to bury her own kid.

Although it's tough,
although it's hard
I think God would want us to forgive
the killer in our hearts.

What you don't know,
but what I'll tell you,
is I'm just fine.
in this heaven of mine.

Maybe this will teach you
to never regret a thing.
Be happy with what God gave you,
because you could've been me.

Now, maybe I was young,
maybe I didn't deserve it.
But maybe I taught a lesson,
now please...learn it.

Love with everything,
always smile a lot.
Remember this lesson,
that I taught.

Wipe the tears,
enjoy the years.
Time goes by fast,
you don't know which day is your last.

Pray for my family,
for my friend's family, too.
I'm sure they'll be grateful,
and thankful to you.

I'm an angel,
all brand new.
I came up here
this afternoon.

I would be 6 years old,
but God has a plan.
Remember this feeling of distraught,
remember this lesson that I taught.

 

~ a poem quoted from SandyHookRIP ~

 

 

 

Let Yourself Fall

Blessed People