“My mom always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” – Forrest Gump

That’s exactly what I had in mind while listening to my classmates’ life stories during our high school reunion, last weekend.

Some of us will float through a lifetime, just above water, safely passing through. Taking minimum or no risks, making minimum or no mistakes, no struggles, no drama and no pain.  And then, some of us, mostly the crazy ones,  will go on a wild journey, innovating life. Pursuing passions, developing interests, taking risks, making major mistakes, getting hurt, struggling hard and still honouring the vitality and time we’ve been given.

In the end, it doesn’t matter what road you took. It actually doesn’t even matter where you’ve been, what matters is that you had the courage to continue, to take that step forward in your heart’s direction. So never look back except to gratefully say “Thank You Life”. The Life Scars are badges of honor, and we wear them proud.

on my end, let me quote Paulo Coelho in his tweet couple days ago :

Any story about life is a beautiful story.  Telling your story, allows other people to take that journey with you, and it is a selfless act. To trust that you will not be judged and to hope that your story will inspire.

We define success in different ways. The fact that you’re able to tell your life story,  is a success story.

And if, your story now, still isn’t your kind of story, remember we have a loving God, who will make your story right for you.

Our happy reunion was a reunion of good friends ,and, it. seemed. like. old. times.
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It so warms my heart just thinking about it now.

swim with 🐬🐬🐬
– G

P.S. and Cheers! 🍸🍾
baby beth cecile edna eva leling penny susan thudz
benedict jimson ricky sonny vic
Special P.S.
Quoting cecile, our” best success story awardee”, as she puts it aptly :
MIA: Aleli Uy ( Australia); Wilson Chua (USA), Nida Lim (USA). Gubert Tan (USA), Elena Pardilla (LC) , Lanlie America (LC). Jofre Silvala (Heaven)

Thank you, Jofre.