Month: January 2025

Tribute · Writing True

A Tribute to My Mother, Nanay

AinaBalagtas11 Comments
Nanay with my sisters Liza (far-left standing) and Camille (standing left beside me), and our other halves (starting from left sitting): Robert, June, and Arnel.

Nanay, my life’s first breath and tender touch,
In your arms, I found the world’s most gentle embrace,
A haven where love’s light was undimmed and steadfast.
You were the sun in my days and the moon in my nights,
Guiding me with warmth, soothing me with peace.

I will always remember the sweetness of your ways—
The tender kisses that lingered like the softest whispers of dawn,
And the cradle of your lap, where my burdens ceased to exist.
Even as the years carried me further into life,
I sought your nearness, sleeping close,
Feeling safe, feeling whole, feeling home.

You, Nanay, the resolute heart of our home,
Raised me and my sisters, Camille and Liza,
Into women of strength, resilience, and grace—
Flowers blooming fiercely even amidst towering trees.
Your love was our compass, your wisdom our shield.

Now that you’ve joined Tatay in heaven’s embrace,
I find solace in imagining you both together,
Wrapped in the eternal care of the Almighty.
Kiss him for me, hug him tight, and let him know
That your love remains the anchor of my soul.

Nanay, though your presence graces this earth no more,
You will never leave the sanctuary of my heart.
I love you, endlessly, fiercely, and forever,
For you are the melody that will forever play
In the quiet corners of my being.

YouTube/Regine Velasquez/Sa Piling Mo

Writing True

To you, my cherished friends

AinaBalagtas17 Comments
You are God’s precious gifts to me. I love you and I always will.

I write this letter with a heart brimming with both gratitude and sorrow. You, my companions in this digital haven, have given me more than I could ever ask for and unwaveringly. Your continued likes, your thoughtful comments, your visits to my posts, and even the simple act of following my musings have been beams of light in my days. Your generosity has been a river flowing steadily, nourishing my spirit in ways words cannot fully convey.

And yet, I find myself faltering—failing to return the kindness you have so freely given. For this, I humbly ask your forgiveness. Life has placed a weight upon my shoulders that I am still learning to bear. On January 5, my beloved mother passed away in the Philippines, taken from us by the cruel grip of dementia. As much as I wish to have been by her side, life had other plans, keeping me bound to my work and home in Hawaii. I just made it to her wake and burial, coming here in the Philippines. My heart aches with the knowledge that I was not there in her final moments.

This loss has been a storm in my soul, yet in the midst of it, you remain a quiet, steady presence—an anchor in turbulent waters. Even as I grapple with my grief, I think of you often, and I pray for your happiness and success in all your endeavors to achieve. You are the lifelines that keep me tethered to hope, and for that, I am profoundly grateful.

Your support reminds me that, even when life feels like a solitary climb, I am not alone. Your words and actions are stars guiding my steps through the darkness, and I hope to one day reflect that same light back to you.

Thank you for your patience, your understanding, and most of all, your unwavering presence. May your paths be lined with blessings, your hearts be light with joy, and your dreams rise to the heavens like kites in the wind.

Keep thriving everyone. Happy blogging!

Warmly,
Aina

Writing True

Ode to Friendship

AinaBalagtas7 Comments

What is the greatest gift someone could give you?

Oh bond divine, unseen yet profound,
In thee, a sacred haven is found.
Friendship, steadfast and pure of heart,
A masterpiece of life’s eternal art.

When storms arise and shadows loom,
Thy light dispels the darkest gloom.
A steady hand, a voice that cheers,
A refuge through the fleeting years.

In laughter shared, in sorrows bared,
In trials faced, in burdens paired,
Thou art the thread that weaves the soul,
Binding us to a greater whole.

What joy to find in another’s gaze,
A mirror reflecting life’s fiery blaze.
A confidant, a kindred guide,
In thee, the heart can safely confide.

Thou teachest us the golden truth,
Through every stage, from age to youth:
No wealth nor power can ever replace
The warmth of a friend’s abiding embrace.

For life’s a journey, winding and vast,
A fleeting moment, too swift to last.
But friendship lingers, strong and true,
An anchor when the seas are blue.

O blessed tie, so rare, so dear,
Thou makest life’s purpose crystal clear.
For without thee, joy is but hollow,
A lonesome road none would dare follow.

So here’s to thee, eternal flame,
In every heart, thy cherished name.
Friendship, life’s most radiant must,
A bond of love, of hope, of trust.