Buti pa sina Joy...

Buti pa sina Joy...

A family friend who is recently going through the empty nest syndrome was telling me about this conversation between her and her husband.
They were dropping off their daughter at the airport after the holidays.

HIM: Nalulungkot na ako. Ikaw nalang ang bumaba. Iikot ko nalang ang kotse hanggang sa makapasok na sya para di ko na i-park ang kotse.
HER: Sige, ako nalang.

When she got back into their car...
HIM:Sinasabi ko na nga ba eh.
HER: Bakit?
HIM:Sabi ko nang nalulungkot ako eh. Bakit sinabayan mo pa ako ng iyak?
HER: Di ko napansin, lumuluha na pala ako.
HIM: Tahimik na naman sa bahay.
HER: Buti pa si Joy, madaming anak... Ikaw kasi, takot na takot kang wala kang ipapakain sa mga anak mo. Yung para sa 2 bata, pwede naman palang pagkasyahin sa 4. Eh kung mas marami tayong anak, eh di, hindi pa tayo umiiyak ngayon!

For my non-Tagalog speaking audience (if there are any), I won't translate verbatim. Basically, she was saying that she wishes she had more kids like me.

I was amused by her statement, mostly because most these days, I perceive these kids more as "chores", know what I mean? It is just really tiring. I look at my house and it's a mess all the time! It's a never-ending cycle. But her statement really made me look and see that indeed they are more a blessing than a burden.

She also commented that they were fearful before that they would not able to provide enough for their kids so they limited themselves to just having 2. But now, they realize that what they can provide for 2 children can be shared among 4 too. And you know, this is so true. In our family, my children have learned to have simple joys. A trip to McDonald's is a treat -and they get really excited about it. They don't wear designer duds. Most their clothes are from Target or hand-me-downs or gifts. I don't mind. They don't know the difference. Their rooms aren't overflowing with the latest toys. They say, "I wish I had that..." when they see something on TV sometimes but at the end of the day, they are perfectly happy with the toys they have. I think they still have more than enough.

All in all, I believe that we are a happy family - living simply under the provision of our Divine Father. It is challenging, yes. It is hard work, yes. But the challenge and the work is eased because I know that as parents, we aren't alone in raising our children. God is with us - all the time.