Lean on me

Monday morning, I overhead this conversation as two of my friends were trying to rouse me from the sleep of the dead:

L: Ang hirap gisingin ng batang ito… Little girl, wake up! May food! Magvideoke na tayo! (me covers face with blanket)

S: Parang balloon yan eh.. kapag puno ng hangin, palutang lutang o kaya naman sobrang likot na parang lobo na nilalabasan ng hangin. Tapos kapag naubusan na ng laman, kelangan magkarga ulit…psst, psst, psst (mimics the sound of a balloon pump)

That’s what a month of out of town traveling and major events does to a sleepyhead like me. So where and what have I been up to the past few weeks?

• Advancing the Jesus Agenda National Youth Forum, Tagaytay City
• Kairos Workshop – Common Ground, Batangas City and Lobo, Batangas
• Transform South East Asia Conference (TSEA), Mandaluyong City
• Touch of Glory Prayer Mountain (YA ocular), Antipolo City
• Life Pursuits 2: Challenging the Ordinary, Ortigas
• Benj’s and Tita Ceny’s birthday, Silang, Cavite
• TSEA Facilitators’ Evaluation and Treat, Subic
• Nurturing Passion as a Community Professionals’ Retreat Batch 5, Silang
• Lei’s birthday, Meycauayan, Bulacan

In between were my Makati job, MA classes at Diliman, Cubao visits, etc.  According to my dad, “isa kang inalog na duhat.” Nice imagery, that.

In most cases, my trips were for free! God is good, he he he. Serving the kingdom does have its perks. But it does have a physical toll; I was sick for the first time in months the second week of September. A mere mortal am I. All that eating also resulted in an increase in my waistline, waaah.  And the fatigue and stress can result in short tempers and an exhibition of Murphy’s law: Anything that can go wrong will go wrong. Which I answer with Romans 8:28: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

So I have learned in the past few weeks:

• To travel light
• To laugh at my mistakes and other peoples’ too
• To listen without judgment or criticism
• To bear with tantrums and disappointment
• To do what needs to be done
• To forgive and be forgiven
• To only go where I am needed and wanted
• To let go of complicated things
• To expect the best and prepare for the worst

I also appreciated friends even more, especially those who:

• Washed dishes with me for two days straight and advised me to “keep the faucet open” (LOL!)
• Kept me company and shared my sanctuary.
• Sang cheesy love songs and beautiful duets on the videoke machine.
• Invited me to join events, grab opportunities and brave new experiences.
• Knocked on my door in the middle of the afternoon bearing tissue paper, oatmeal, milk and a pack of flu medicine.
• Gave me warm hugs and much-needed massages.
• Served with me and treated  my flighty work habits with patience.
• Made me freshly brewed coffee and cooked for me.
• Lent me a jacket without being asked when I was stuck in an icebox.
• Pushed me into the Marianas trench and advised me to face my fears (aka as the Superbowl slide of doooom!)
• Talked with me for hours and listened.
• Lent me pretty dresses and convinced me to actually wear them.
• Accepted my invitations =)
• Inspired me with their blog posts.
• Let me sleep in and wake up late, as well as those who woke me up when it was necessary.
• Told the truth, even when it hurt. A lot.
• Were simply there.

And to those friends I sing:

Sometimes in our lives
We all have pain
We all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that there’s always tomorrow

Lean on me, when you’re not strong
And I’ll be your friend
I’ll help you carry on
For it won’t be long
‘Til I’m gonna need
Somebody to lean on

Please swallow your pride
If I have things you need to borrow
For no one can fill those of your needs
That you won’t let show

You just call on me brother, when you need a hand (Chorus)
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you’d understand
We all need somebody to lean on

Second Verse
(Chorus)

If there is a load you have to bear
That you can’t carry
I’m right up the road
I’ll share your load
If you just call me
(Chorus)
Call me (if you need a friend)
Call me (call me)

Listen to the acapela version sung by my KC mates 6 years ago in Cebu:

23-lean-on-me