All Dogs Go to Heaven... Good for Them
Due to my busy, busy schedule today I completely forgot, or maybe my very protective brain temporarily blocked out, the incident that took place this morning.
I woke up at 7:30 and for some reason felt like today was not a good day to wake up at 7:30. My instincts were right. Upon going downstairs to kiss and say goodbye to my parents I was welcomed with the early morning smell of a fight. My parents were upset that I spent the whole Sunday at Payatas instead of spending it with them. They were upset that I never go to mass. They were upset that I am helping other people rather than being with my family. I explain to them that as head and author of the GK English Language Program, I need to be at Payatas every Sunday to make sure the program is running smoothly.
More angry words from my parents, in hindsight I should have just kept my mouth shut, but no, I'm a GK worker, I need to be blatantly honest all the time now, I tell myself. So I tell them that every day I help impoverished people and my spirits soar, but when I go home it plummets because all I see in their faces is disapproval. So I stay out.
Parents don't want you to lie to them. But they don't want you to be honest with them either. My candor upset them even more and that's when my father dropped the line that I could not believe I forgot the whole day: "Hindi ka makakapasok ng langit." [You are never getting in heaven.]
So I calmly told him that I am not doing GK work to get in heaven, bye, I'm late for work.
On my way out, Chuey followed me to the door and stared at me sadly, as if to say, "Bye, Ate. I'm sorry you are never getting in heaven." I suddenly remembered an old cartoon that my brothers and I loved as kids - All Dogs Go to Heaven. I kissed Chuey and went out. At least one creature in our house loves me unconditionally, regardless of whether I am heaven-worthy or not.
I find it weird that my family can speak of heaven with such certainty. When my brother told my parents that he no longer wished to practice Catholicism, they went as far as to tell him that he was going to hell. If I were allowed to be sarcastic inside our house (I'm not), I would probably ask my parents if they have a direct line to heaven and if God was their phone pal.
I'm agnostic. I know a higher power exists but I pay him or her no mind.
I'm gonna keep doing what I think is right, regardless of heaven or hell.
I woke up at 7:30 and for some reason felt like today was not a good day to wake up at 7:30. My instincts were right. Upon going downstairs to kiss and say goodbye to my parents I was welcomed with the early morning smell of a fight. My parents were upset that I spent the whole Sunday at Payatas instead of spending it with them. They were upset that I never go to mass. They were upset that I am helping other people rather than being with my family. I explain to them that as head and author of the GK English Language Program, I need to be at Payatas every Sunday to make sure the program is running smoothly.
More angry words from my parents, in hindsight I should have just kept my mouth shut, but no, I'm a GK worker, I need to be blatantly honest all the time now, I tell myself. So I tell them that every day I help impoverished people and my spirits soar, but when I go home it plummets because all I see in their faces is disapproval. So I stay out.
Parents don't want you to lie to them. But they don't want you to be honest with them either. My candor upset them even more and that's when my father dropped the line that I could not believe I forgot the whole day: "Hindi ka makakapasok ng langit." [You are never getting in heaven.]
So I calmly told him that I am not doing GK work to get in heaven, bye, I'm late for work.
On my way out, Chuey followed me to the door and stared at me sadly, as if to say, "Bye, Ate. I'm sorry you are never getting in heaven." I suddenly remembered an old cartoon that my brothers and I loved as kids - All Dogs Go to Heaven. I kissed Chuey and went out. At least one creature in our house loves me unconditionally, regardless of whether I am heaven-worthy or not.
I find it weird that my family can speak of heaven with such certainty. When my brother told my parents that he no longer wished to practice Catholicism, they went as far as to tell him that he was going to hell. If I were allowed to be sarcastic inside our house (I'm not), I would probably ask my parents if they have a direct line to heaven and if God was their phone pal.
I'm agnostic. I know a higher power exists but I pay him or her no mind.
I'm gonna keep doing what I think is right, regardless of heaven or hell.