If only we are really able to divide a couple's married life into definite phases, then each experience would not come as real surprises. My husband and I just recently celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary and, for a moment, we found ourselves at quite a loss as to how we're supposed to celebrate it and what specifically are we celebrating. We eventually found the answer, but before I reveal that (to those who care to know), allow me to explain the "Phase 3" in the title by describing the first 2 phases of our married life.
I have always been open to being a fan of John Lloyd Cruz and it’s no surprise that like most Filipino moviegoers, I have watched his latest film, “It Takes A Man and a Woman”, the third installment in the romantic comedy series where he stars opposite Sarah Geronimo. Of course, I laughed heartily, smiled with nostalgia, and bawled my eyes out along with the packed crowd. It was a movie made for the fans – those who have watched “A Very Special Love” and “You Changed My Life” and have empathized for Laida and Miggy, Sarah’s and John Lloyd’s characters in the films. Reflecting on the movie, as I am always inclined to do with every film I watch, I realized why I got hooked with their story. It wasn’t just because of a superficial admiration for the talent of John Lloyd, or the obvious chemistry between the two, or the superb directing by Cathy Garcia-Molina; but it was because of the intelligence and wisdom behind the story and the characters. Lightnings strike the top of the tower while thunder roars in the background as the valiant Prince, now clad in just his chain-mail armor, fights the Wicked Sorceress' evil powers with just his sword and shield. He presses on, as his lady love locked up in the tower frightfully looks on. Amidst the horrifying laughter of the Sorceress, she turns herself into the mightiest and scariest creature on earth. Breathing fire, she scorches everything to keep the Prince from approaching. Still, the Prince moves forward, driven by his love for his damsel-in-distress, his princess, his life, his love. He waits for that golden opportunity to turn the tables on the Dragon-Sorceress. The Dragon Sorceress, then, swings her horned tail to dislodge the Prince's shield. The princess, seeing the plight of her prince, desperately throws everything she can get her hands on at the Dragon Sorceress, to no avail. The poor Prince, without a shield, was no match for the evil Sorceress as she swung her tail again to finish the battle. The Princess screams as her Prince wailed in agony... But of course, there are no dragons, valiant princes, wicked witches, and locked up princesses nowadays! Or are there?
Chivalry in the middle ages, immortalized in legends and fairy tales, may have disappeared into obsolescence as the modernization of civilizations continue to take place. However, I sometimes feel like the little girl dreaming of her prince to rescue her from the tower. Chivalry may have died as the feminist movements imposed equality between men and women, empowering women to achieve their potential but disenfranchising men who weren't as competitive or valiant as the others. As a woman, I am grateful for the cultural changes feminism brought, but saddened by the realization that only a handful men will continue to be chivalrous amidst ridicule and criticism. I am a woman, and no matter how much I have achieved in my life, I still need rescuing. How I wish that my man could die for me. Not for fighting dragons, of course, but I wish that he would willingly die in himself for me, giving up his boyhood pleasures, inappropriate immature behavior, and instead, rescue me and care for me and protect me. Women may not understand this. I may be ridiculed for admitting weakness and being needy. I may be. But then, again, if they don't need rescuing and protection, then no one will. I do, so I hope he will. (Originally posted Oct 8, 2009 on my blog: thesilentjournalist.blogspot.com) Psalm 46:2-11 (New American Standard Bible) "Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered; He raised His voice, the earth melted. The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah. Come, behold the works of the LORD, Who has wrought desolations in the earth. He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire. "Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah." Oh, yes, very timely... lahat ng words ni God, very timely for me and for what I am going through lately. I don't like what I'm becoming. I want to become once more the joyful, optimistic, trusting and loving person I was. But yes, I cannot do it on my own, not even with professional help.
Only God can move me. Only God can mold me... because it is He who created me. It is He who made me in His image. It is He who breathed on me. He made me for a purpose. And though that purpose is still obscurely hidden in His mystery, I believe that He wants me to stand up and fight. I am His servant and as steward of His treasures He has given me, I will do everything to take care of these true treasures. I will not let myself or others destroy my true riches in life. Even if I did not seem to deserve these blessings, God still gave them to me. I regret that I sometimes take these true treasures for granted and look back on the other options I would have had, had I taken another road, another choice. I used to think I am trapped, and look back to the time when I had a choice. But then again, I still have a choice now. God does not leave us with no choice. We all have choices. Every day, we choose to live or die. We choose to be happy or miserable. We choose to work or laze around. We choose to love or be indiffirent. Starting today, I choose to love. I choose to be happy. I choose to be responsible. I choose to be loving. I choose to be positive. I choose to live. I choose to be still and let God be. (This was originally posted Jan 21, 2009 as "I Choose" on my blog) |
ScribblesThere's no use in trying to deny one's roots and true self. Here are snippets of one whose past time involves thinking and analyzing people, events, places, and many other things. Archives
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