This might just be the bleakest Christmas ever -- Pablo devastating the Mindanao area with hundreds of people who died, children killed in mass shooting and my own internal turmoil.
I was reading an article about all those who died in the Sandy Hook shooting and goosebumps were trailing my whole body. So many wasted lives -- kids who lit up their parents' lives, a therapist whose boyfriend was supposed to propose to her on Christmas Eve, kids who lost their parents. It is really saddening.
And then there's Pablo. It was only a year ago when Mindanao was brought down by typhoon Sendong and once again, at almost the same time, they were not spared.
Mindanao is close to my heart. My uncle and his family used to live in Agusan Del Sur for so many years before they relocated back to Pulupandan due to security reasons. 19 people died from that municipality and hundreds more in Compostela Valley and Davao del Sur. As of Saturday, there was still no water nor electricity. Most of the people are still waiting for relief operations (if you still want to donate, please check out this entry. I have included some sites where you can donate). Some private companies have also extended their help to these afflicted areas.
It all seems surreal.
As much as I want to, I could not feel my Christmas spirit. Not that I really like the season ever since. I hate Christmas traffic and the jam-packed malls. But at this moment in my life, I detest it a little bit more. This was supposed to be a season for family and for reconciliation. For thanksgiving and well wishes. I am too deep in my black hole to feel any merriment.
Soo, dear Christmas. What can we offer each other?
For me, all I want is a pinch of peace, an ounce of hope and a little speck of happiness. I do not want to be a green-eyed Grinch anymore.
How about you? What can I offer you?
xx,
Corporate Junkie
