Reminiscing - Part I
"In the midst of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer."
I was in my parents' house last weekend. It was actually my mom’s birthday but we just decided to have a lunch-out and spend the entire rainy afternoon back home. Such "bonding time" used to bore me but this weekend was different. I actually enjoyed it. A welcome hiatus from the recent stirs in my personal life.
Having lost my habit to take afternoon naps, I went thru some of my stuff which were left at home - papers, pictures, letters, playbills from concerts and theater productions - sentimental garbage, others would say perhaps.
One of the things I found was my unedited college yearbook write-up.
Beneficence did not desert the world the day Mother Teresa died.
To know busilak is to experience a sweeping (re-)belief in humanity. He is one of the few people who still keep their faith intact, undeterred by the extant cynicism, skepticism (and evil) of their fellowmen. Affix to that, he is not only a good person by heart but also by virtue of deed. He is unprejudiced and very accommodating to every person. Friends and strangers---no matter who they are and how they look like--- are entertained with a big smile on his face, whenever they have problems or questions bugging their minds. He can do such with facility since he can easily empathize and identify with the difficulties (and miseries) of others. Likewise, he is unpretentiously stimulated by the simple joys and pleasures in life. Well, except for his disapproval to ride jeepneys and his chronic impulse to take a taxi whenever he and his friends go out to enjoy.
His comforting smile and unrivalled goodness make busilak a friend to treasure. He is never antagonistic but would more often than not see, and consequently understand, things from another person's point of view. His dependability is unquestioned. One can always borrow from him his old books, readings, notes and sample exams, and he, unexpectedly is ready to provide and even apologetic (rather unnecessarily) when he turns in his things incompletely or lately. He will even take your GT (exam) in your ROTC course if and when you can justify your absence or inability to take the test.
Truly gifted and favored, he is also a great singer. He is a favorite entertainer during intermission numbers in every (college org) function. And even in the tambayan, he is constantly duty flooded with requests to render a song. He doesn't even need to pass the (a UP choir) audition to attest as to how a great singer he is. But then, joining (the UP choir) all the more broadened his range, enhanced his voice and provided him steady experience.
Beneficence did not desert the world the day Mother Teresa died. Goodness endures while busilak is with us. Or until he reconciles with his height.
All along, I thought I’ve changed a lot. I thought I have become an uber critical, jaded person who knows nothing but complain and be frustrated. But now, I guess that perceived change is only skin-deep. Thanks to this article, I managed a realization that inspite and despite of what seemed to be ages of obstacles and difficulties and decisions presented by life, I managed to stay the way I am, deep within. The quote above was taken from a book by Camus, if I’m not mistaken. I haven’t read nor encountered that passage for a long time. I didn’t think it was appropriate still for me. But now, I believe the summer in me never waned. *smiles*