May
the Good Lord be with us all during this happy occasion –the 3rd
re-union of BANAKEN-KELAYAN CLAN. This started in the middle part of 2014 when
the late Bartolome Banaken Sr. wrote to us which I partly quote, “we will
start and hold our first and last family re-union in December, 2014”. Alas,
it was indeed the first and last re-union he attended as he later got sick,
hospitalized in December 2015 and did not fully recover until he passed away on
December 7, 2016. Sadly, his younger sister Juanita followed after only 85 days
and died on March 1, 2017. May their souls rest in peace and their spirits be with
us today. In spite all of these, the
show must go on.
GOD
IS LOVE- and in the Holy Bible, He said, “Love one another as I love you all.”
With these, let us then show in words and in deeds our love and concern to one
another. Let us unite and be one solid family. Let us not be self-centered or
“makasarili”. To those blessed, share
unto others in some little ways and by doing what God bestowed upon you and
more blessings you will receive. Help others in some ways and by doing so, you
are also serving God.
I
can still remember my dear old mother KELAYAN while still living. She always
see to it to visit sick relatives and attends wakes and burials, walking as far
as Leseb with nothing but only a peso or two as “abuloy”. Though poor, she has
a big, big heart.
It
pays to always humble ourselves. Let us not, as it is not good to be
hard-headed or iron-hearted. It is nice to accept mistakes or shortcomings and
learn from them. Remember, no one is perfect. These can be all achieved by
praying for God’s Blessings and Guidance.
And
as the last man standing among the six members of the first generation, may I
say that the ball is now passed unto all of you – the second, third, fourth and the next generations to come who will ensure to let the light keep on shining.
I
Love You All!
Jose L. Banaken
May 27, 2017
