More than Gold and Precious Jewels

"A friend loves at all times." It was taken from the book of Proverbs 17:17.

I always read this verse every time I clean the figurines of my aunt when I am growing up way back in the years of 2005 - 2016. I was adopted by my aunt since I was orphaned at the age of six years old. My father had a heart attacked and died at that age. I was "adopted" in a way that I live under their house and they will support me in my studies because it was the plea of my father to my aunt. I was blessed! However, living with your relatives made you "uncomfortable" knowing that they are not your full bloodlines unlike with your real family. They never feel that way to me most especially my aunt and my eldest cousin. I felt the warmth of the true family. I am forever grateful for that.

There was another treasure I have found. Let's call them "FRIENDS". On the first sentenced of this write up I can say that it is really true. I have many friends but these two friends are different because it very rare to have friends both the wife and the husband but, in my case, I have found them both. Thank you, Cebu Technological University Main Campus, for bringing us together as friends. The wife,@fixyetbroken was my friend since 2012.

We are classmates and she was a student's assistant of our school. She was very generous of her wisdom since then until now that she shares what she has learned to others. Just like now, she was doing hive and now I'm doing hive also. Sharing is caring indeed! She has all the quality of a true friend. She was not boastful of her vast knowledge and expertise of ideas and information. She helps also when you need a helping hand. I never recalled that she said no to your request as long as she was able. That's her. A simple woman with amazing qualities as a human being. To the husband, Paul, we are also classmates in college for four years same with Maureen.

Paul and I were close because we chose Reserved Officer Training Corp or ROTC in short in our National Service Training Program or NSTP. ROTC is a very great course that builds the value of discipline, friendship and nationalistic spirit of a person if you deal it seriously. Without ROTC, I do not have the opportunity to discover Paul's quality of a good friend. He was very dependable most especially in his extraordinary skills of technology. I do not know if I'll survive college days without his help. He was also genuine and very respectful as a man. I can say that because some other man who are very sensual and touchy but with Paul you will never see those dirty actions. That's make him a true gentleman!

When it's time for graduation, years later, at late in the evening, I had received a call that they are in relationship already. From that time, I was really glad. I was joyful when they invited me on their wedding day in times of pandemic. I didn't hesitant to come on their "I Do's" because they are a great person. The motif of their wedding day was wearing Filipiniana.

As an obedient friend and part of dressing up. I am visualizing that time that everyone is wearing that get up. In my mind it was a unique theme for a wedding day. It was my first and last day of wearing that pink dress so far. If only I had known that it was okay not to wear that dress I had rather bring some other casual attire.

Indeed, "no man is an island" that's why God made friends for us to be of help to each other, to lighten to load we carry, and to share the joy we will experience in this lifetime. God is amazing in providing us with the right people to be with. He brings people together to discover each other's strengths and lift each other's up by helping one another to strengthen the weak points of each other. May God be praised in every friend you will find. If you do not have one, ask God to have one and your life will completely change for a lifetime.