Nevergirl’s

Dear Head,

Before anything else, I want you to know I appreciate you. I appreciate you better than weight loss pills, I think, because those aren’t always reliable — and I even suspect some contain nothing but chalk!

I appreciate you because no matter what the weather, you sit faithfully on top of these frail shoulders, keeping my gray matter in place, holding up my eyewear, growing hair… and all other important things heads are supposed to do.

I know I made things difficult for you, what with the concussions, broken noses, odd nasal ailments, bad haircuts and even worse dye jobs I’ve sustained. I ran you into car doors, cupboard corners, bedroom windows, tree branches, walls, and tables more times than any appendage is reasonably expected to endure. I tormented you 24/7 with sinuses so frayed they make my pambahay shirts look absolutely new! Those sinuses would be a torment to anyone – dripping when they should be dry, making odd clickety noises as the weather changes. I’m sure you remember those three times doctors stuck a camera up my sinuses, just to see why they’re trying to take over the archipelago.

Yes, I appreciate you — but I don’t appreciate my sinuses. They’re always whimpering and whining and post-nasaling and making me look like a female Cyrano Bergerac. Can you have a chat with my sinuses, please, and tell them to stop throwing such horrific tantrums? It’s not helping the two of us any.

Thank you.

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Do you believe in magic?

I do — but no, not in the kind of magic that David Blaine sells. I like sleight-of-hand and I love it when kids go nuts over a great trick; but, I would never willingly go to a magic show where people are halved and girls are thrown daggers at. I say not willingly because I’ve been to shows like that twice NOT… and no, it’s not because someone dragged me by the hair or tied me to a chair; but because my grandmother thought TWICE it will do my imagination good to see magic and gore. Can you believe that?

Of course, if there’s anything that my wonderful Lola Lory is, it’s unbelievable… but I’ll save that story for another post about senior life insurance and seniors who go through life forever young. In the meantime, I’ll keep this post all about magic — or at least, some of the kind that I believe in. For instance, I believe…

… my laptop is magic because it lets me provide for the family without leaving the house. The adults in the family (okay, technically, I am an adult; but they are more adult than I am) think there’s something fishy with what I do; my father doesn’t get why anyone would want to pay me for tapping away on my keyboard, in my skivvies at that!

… pregnant women are magic because not everyone can carry life — and give life to life — like that.

… bayanihan is magic because it’s truly amazing when people who normally don’t give a hoot for each other help each other.

… the sky is magic, especially when it’s beautifully cloudless or lit up with violets and reds at summer’s end.

… the sea is magic because it does what it does, without losing its beat.

… babies are magic because they hold in their little hands the hopes and joys of generations.

Finally, I think I’m magic, too, whenever I meet deadlines, make someone happy, or get through 24 hours without nosebleeds, injuries, or sickness.

I know my definition of magic doesn’t mesh with yours. Heck, it’s even at odds with the real definition of magic because everything on my magic list is attainable.

Then again, isn’t that the best way to see magic? Something attainable, something you can hold in the palm of your hand.

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There are many things I wish for still – good health, knowing that my loved ones are happy and safe, the perfect mix of sunshine and rain, orlando fl resort vouchers for the family, the ability to teleport, laughter when it’s needed the most, and enough grace to be generous when it’s toughest and compassionate in silence. Sometimes, I also wish I’m a little taller if only because it’s more commanding to be tall, and I’m not at all sure I like being mistaken for my daughter’s sister.

But, of course, those are rather tall orders. Today, I’ll keep my wishing small, and wish

1) that more people will help the victims of Ondoy short-term; and in the rebuilding of the country, long-term.

2) for Alex to be pneumonia-free for the rest of the year.

And, if the universe would deem those wishes too small for my quota of “please come true” thoughts, then maybe I could toss this teensy wish too: may I please have a house someday with a view like this?

Where magic is par for the course

PR: wait… I: wait… L: wait… LD: wait… I: wait… wait… Rank: wait… Traffic: wait… Price: wait… C: wait…

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