Had quite a long day yesterday and a lot had happened that's really worth writing about. So many thoughts in my head, all compartmentalized hehehe B and I had some interesting interactions over the weekend that I want to reflect on and write about. And last night, we had dinner at the Marco Polo with some close friends and my hubby and baby. I wanted to write about that too. But at the moment, I'm chatting with an old friend from the "mountaineering" aspect of my life. We are talking about another friend who's very dear to us -- Pastor.
Last night, when I saw the Correspondents featuring Pastor and Leo on their preparation for their "Everest Quest," I had some mixed feelings. Chatting with my friend now again brought the feelings to the surface.
I feel both happy and sad for Pastor. Happy since it's every mountaineer's dream to climb Mt. Everest and as he said last night in the interview, Mt. Everest just happened to him. He did not seek it out, it sought him...
When I saw Pastor cried last night in the interview, I cried too. I cry because I could imagine how he must be feeling being away from his family and all. I'm sure - just as all of us over here is thinking - the "unsureness" of their quest is very much on his mind. Conquering Everest is a no joke. I'm sure he is very much aware that it could cost him his life.
And it could pretty well cost him his life. When he cried, I knew he was thinking of his family, of his little boys. I know how he's feeling now that I have a little boy myself. His second son is mine and Bolo's "inaanak." The last time we saw Pastor was a few months before our wedding. He was on his way back to Manila then for his further training. And he had expressed his regret that he won't be able to attend it.
During his son's Christening, he had been teasing Bolo and I then. He knew us from the past, separately. Pastor had even met a previous boyfriend and he was a close friend to a... well... previous "suitor" too. He had often teased me to this friend of his.
When Bolo had started courting me, Bolo told me Pastor had been somewhat encouraging although he knew I was still in a relationship then. When Bolo and I finally became an item, he had told me of his "approval" of Bolo. He told me Bolo is "kind" and that I could count on him. He was right.
Ah, seeing Pastor cry really shook me. I feel for him and I feel for Anne too. I could only imagine how Anne is feeling at the moment. I feel a bit of "anger" for the situation that forced them to hasten their assault of the mountain. They are not supposed to take on Everest till next year. That would have given them ample time for further preparation. And then now, they would have to hasten due to... ah... I don't want to delve into the whole controversy. I don't have all the facts either so it's hard to come up with my own opinion on the whole thing. But I sure am feeling emotional over Pastor being cheated of those few months of preparation. And I feel that they ought to climb without some undue pressure. For God's sake, it's their life that's at stake there and they're leaving behind families and friends here. Pastor has a wife and two sons for Christ's sake. Two little boys who are growing up without much of the presence of their father because he had to be on training for this thing.
Even I am emotional as most of our friends are. How much more so, Ann who is his wife? I know she's dealing with the uncertainty of the situation as well. I feel for her as a wife and as a mother, being one myself. And I want to reach out to her to tell her that we are supporting her somewhat and that we're praying for Pastor and their family.
Dear, funny, always smiling, jolly, good dancer, life-of-the-party, good-friend-to-everyone, Pastor... you are terribly missed over here. Miss seeing you during kayak competitions, local adventure races and outdoor activities here. I would rather have you as an opponent again and end up losing than not seeing you here with us. Bolo and I are and will be praying for your success and safety. You are right, Everest is a "destiny." It's all up to the mountain should she yield to you or not. But you have such a good heart. You have such a good soul. You're a very good person. I'm sure she'll know that when you're finally in her midst. She'll feel your kindness and will return the favor. God Bless friend, can't wait to see you home."
1 comment:
I stand corrected. We last saw Pastor during the MFPI Congress last year in Ozamis. It was a good thing seeing him there. He was missed during the other outdoor activities in Mindanao such as the Mindanao Forum in Gingoog last year. He was not around much since he started training.
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