I survived the fourth night...

My friend arrived five days ago from an official trip outside Greece. Thank God I survived the four nights I was alone in the house. All I did was prayed to  Mama Mary that she keeps me safe. I prayed the four rosary  mysteries every day, as I usually do. And after each prayer session I could feel the Lord's presence as if telling me not to be afraid.And everything would be all right.

This afternoon I went out to buy groceries. It was my third time to commute by bus from our apartment. My friend taught me what bus number to take and where I should get down. But then I decided to go the Philippine Embassy instead of going straight home. That is where the problem started. I didnt have an idea what bus number to take. As I was praying for guidance, I saw a fellow Filipino waiting at the bus station or estasi. I started a conversation and asked for direction. She was also going the the Embassy! My prayer was answered, thanks Mama Mary. So I reached my destination without any hitches.

As I retire for the night, I am confident Mama Mary will be there looking over me.  

I Survived the Second Night!

I survived another night, thank you Mama Mary! Thank God I had enough sleep and woke up to witness another glorious day. Photo below is the sofa I have been staying the past two nights. It is located in one corner of the living room near the veranda. I will spend the next two nights here...

I Survived the First Night!

Thank God, I survived the first night alone...I actually slept earlier than I expected..Thank you, Mama Mary...Of course I left the tv and lights on...Haha... I felt safe and not alone...

I am confident I will survive the next three nights....God is good, all the time...

Alone again...for a few nights...

   It's 4:40pm, Athens. It's a rainy day, been raining for the past three days.As I am writing, I see the tiny drops of rain on the veranda overlooking the Olympic Stadium.Last night the stadium had its lights on, and there was traffic on the street below going to one of the entrances. I don't exactly know where is the front entrance because I haven't been there. Maybe I will visit it when summer comes again next year. Summer is gone, and winter is coming. My Filipino friends who have been here for many years tell me the rain is part of the crazy Greek weather. It rains even in winter. Isnt it the same for other temperate countries? I wonder.


   My friend left this afternoon on official trip to Milan, Italy. It's been four years since our vacation in Rome and Venice.We had a great time there and I was hoping I'd be able to join her in Milan .Unfortunately, visas are now required of Private Staff of Filipino Diplomats. And there was not enough time to get one.So, I am alone...for about four nights.


   Four nights? Oh my God, when was the last time I was alone here in the apartment for about the same number of nights? And I couldn't sleep. Yes, 'duwag' at 'matakutin ako pag nagiisa. Not of burglars, really because our place is very secured. But of 'multo'...huhuhu...Specially since the death of our beloved mama last May...


   But I am confident Mama Mary will keep me safe.I prayed fervently that our Lord Jesus will guard me, through the intercession of Mama Mary...

   Thank you, Lord...

 

Greek Island Cruises

Last Sunday, August 28 my friends and I went on a 3 island cruise to Hydra, Poros and Aegina. These are the islands found in the Saronic Gulf of Greece. The weatherman predicted windy day and possibly strong currents. I didnt think twice to go ahead with the cruise in spite of the weather forecast. I knew in my heart that Mama Mary would keep us safe.

And she did. Except for a few strong currents on our way to the next island, Poros, the 10 hour cruise was fine. We had a great time crossing the clear, blue waters, enthralled by the islands we passed  along the way.

                             Hydra harbor
                     
That was my third ferry ride since we arrived in Greece. The first was a vacation in the island of Crete. Then we had a 2night/3 day vacation in Santorini.Before we embarked on our trip to Crete, I was hesitant to join my friends. It had been years since my last boat ride and I feared what might happen. It was the fourth week of April and my birthday was approaching. As superstitions go, one should not travel either by air or by land to distant places immediately before or after one's birthday.But my friend convinced me to join them.

And so I joined them. I prayed for Mama Mary's guidance. The moment i stepped into the boat, I felt that the Lord was with us, and Mama Mary too.Our ship cruised along  peacefully all throughtout the 6 hour ride.

                            Santorini

My experience in Santorini was awesome! I was able to drive in  a rented car. When we rented the car, all the available cars were of manual transmission. I had no choice. I worried about the zigzag roads and the steep hills of Santorini. Though I have been driving since my college years, these were always automatic equipped vechicles. Then, at around 4pm before the car was to be brought to our hotel, the manager called that he found a car with automatic transmission!  Thank God!My prayer had been answered. So I drove around the island with ease .....

                                          View of the island from our apartment in Imerovigli,
                                           Santorini

Mama Joins her Creator

My loving mother died last May 17,at around noon. I still remember the day my sister called. I just woke up and I was making my way to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. It was 6 am here in Athens where I had been staying since February,2011. I was stunned, unable to react. When I left, my mother was already weak but I was hoping she would still live a few years more.

I was actually already scheduled to go home three days after. All I could say was, "Mama, i am coming home. Why did you not wait for me?" Then tears fell from my eyes, and I was crying....

To me, my mama is the best mother in the world. She was thoughtful, loving and caring. She sacrificed a lot for us, her children, working as a professor and at the same time helping dad in the business.And she did the ultimate sacrifice for me. When I got married and was heavy with child, she retired from government service so she could attend to me. And together with my sisters, my mama helped in taking care of my baby girl...until she left for the USA.

There were many tmes mama showed her love for us. And when Mama Mary came into our house, she dedicated her waking hours praying infront of her image. Day and night, she would pray the rosary.And so,she lived long to reach 86 years.I believe that her devotion to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal added to the years in her life.

Now, mama has joined her Creator.Oftentimes I would think of the life i had with her. How I wish I could have spent more time with her longer, esp when she was sick. But that is life. I know mama is happy now where she is. And I am confident that Mama Mary will intercede to Jesus ,Our Lord, for the forgiveness of her sins. And she will be in heaven...