Frayed Rays Of Hometown Sunsets

In time, the edges of what’s left of the many things that has worn out will help us see and appreciate the beauty of having a simple life.

I have so much to tell you. I got tons of new memories to share. For now, let me begin with a simple sunset by my hometown. A sunset I thought no longer exist as pretty much everything around my birth place has changed.

As I watched my son and his cousins laugh, play and take a swim on its warm tropical waters, the golden sunset seemed to be saying, “Not everything has changed and yes, I do remember you.”

“I remember you more than the many sunsets you could ever count.”

God has his reasons for calling us back and allowing us to set another journey.

In less than 12 hours of reaching my parent’s place, he showed me why I needed to be there.

At 04:30 in the morning, I found my mom on the floor with my dad, confused, unable to speak, flapping her arms like she’s about to have a seizure. I prayed hard as I tried to stay calm for everyone else that it’s just severe hypoglycemia and not a stroke. Twenty minutes after drinking a can of juice, she slowly regained consciousness and strength. We had to watch her the whole day and see a specialist.

In my home town 911 does not exist and the nearest emergency brain C.T. scan involves a two-hour drive to the nearest medical center. Where I came from medical common sense, family support and prayers are the first emergency responders. She did okay after that but the event scared me like never before. In a way, I felt blessed to be there. What if they were all by themselves? My mom is 70 years old and my dad, 73. Out of 6 children, only one fate allowed to grow old by their side.

The incident had me ask so many questions I long been trying to evade. The incident opened my eyes to what’s truly important in my life and that of my family. The frayed pieces of reality beckons me to reconsider the goals and dreams I made so many years ago.

It’s true that when we get older, we get wiser as our priorities change and evolve to something more meaningful. Time becomes a luxury we can no longer afford to waste. Time is knocking at my door, so loud I can no longer ignore it or pretend it’s not happening.

Sometimes, our journey lead us back to where we started of. Sometimes moving forward means going back to the source of all things we longed for.

Love, faith, inner peace, family, friendship, happiness, contentment, good health, these are treasures we discover when we begin to truly listen and see. These are the frayed rays of hometown sunsets we can’t afford to lose or forget. On a clear day, life reminds us that not everything has changed. That when we needed them the most, hometown sunsets will find us.

Captured in these iPhone images are the daily sunsets by the beach in Roxas City, Capiz Philippines. When I took these images, its coastal skyline was bursting in explosive colors of orange, yellow, red and purple. For several minutes, a glimpse of paradise revealed itself. For several minutes, I was reminded that I will always have another home waiting patiently when I do decide to return.

Hope you enjoyed the preview of my Summer travel of 2014. When I watched these sunsets, I saved you a seat with the best view next to where I was. Yes, I did remember each one of you during my island trip.