Best Memories

The long weekend is about to end.  But I had very good memories of it.  I'd get to see my close friends who came over from Canada, except from Luvie, who I'll be visiting next week, and my closest relatives who had been ill for so long.  Our house has been a living witness of how everyone gave value to that word "Kapamilya", despite and inspite of everything.  I always pray that there'll be more like these in the coming days and years… be always complete and no one's be missing.

I am so happy to see my Ninang Nori… may you always be blessed with a healthy life… may you live longer than the doctors have told you… no words can describe just how good person you are and how you brighten our lives with your inspiration and presence…

I am just too lucky to have a Ninang like you… you'll always be the one I refer to when it comes to talking about "good daughter".

The Living Legacy

Oh I failed to blog why I love to hear the Dan Fogelberg's song, Leader of the Band.  It always reminds me of a very simple dream I keep within my heart.  I have a big heart to those who share their lives with their music.  Be it in a simple church music ministry, the academe, at work, at recreation, and in anywhere else.  I always loved playing at the church.  And when that chance was given to me, I was really excited.  Not because of the prestige of playing on the grand piano and be seen by a lot of people, but moreso, on the very rare opportunity that I'll be living out a dream… all in the purpose and glory of being a living legacy to the wonders and gifts of those who has given this to me…. for the many poor attempts and all the times that I failed are all but a great slices of my own definition of victory and self-worth.

Live out your dreams!  It's fun to be on that journey… promise!

The Leader of the Band

An only child alone and wild
A cabinet maker’s son
His hands were meant for different work
And his heart was known to none

He left his home and went his lone
And solitary way
And he gave to me a gift I know
I never can repay

A quiet man of music
Denied a simpler fate
He tried to be a soldier once
But his music wouldn’t wait

He earned his love through discipline
A thundering, velvet hand
His gentle means of sculpting souls
Took me years to understand

The leader of the band is tired
And his eyes are growing old
But his blood runs through my instrument
And his song is in my soul

My life has been a poor attempt
To imitate the man
I’m just a living legacy
To the leader of the band

My brothers’ lives were different
For they heard another call
One went to Chicago
And the other to St Paul

And I’m in Colorado
When I’m not in some hotel
Living out this life I’ve chose
And come to know so well

I thank you for the music
And your stories of the road
I thank you for the freedom
When it came my time to go

I thank you for the kindness
And the times when you got tough
And, pap, I don’t think
I said, "I love you" near enough

The leader of the band is tired
And his eyes are growing old
But his blood runs through my instrument
And his song is in my soul

My life has been a poor attempt
To imitate the man
I’m just a living legacy
To the leader of the band

I am the living legacy
To the leader of the band.