Simple Joys

Isn't it great that sometimes, happiness comes in the simplest package? Taking a stroll at the Riverbanks Park in Marikina, this seemed all too clear.

The place had been devastated by Ondoy. In fact, a lot of the stores are still closed, though most have opened and resumed business already. The barges were gone, and so with the bridge that connected the park to the other bank of the Marikina River where there used to be a slew of grilled specialty restaurants (our favorite eating place). The stores that were open had sales, and not a few items were water-damaged.

Still, there were many people in the place. Last minute Christmas shoppers were taking advantage of the sales. Balikbayans were there with relatives. Kids were everywhere. Outside the mall, there was the Tiangge with the weekend shows. There were even more people there than inside the mall.

I had shared my husband's fear that people would somehow forget the semblance of Christmas after the floods. There was general lack of lights near our house -- so much less than the years that passed. Carolers did not come knocking at our door until the 12th of December and there were only so few of them -- not that we're complaining about it. Christmas shopping was not was frantic compared to the past years. Yes, the traffic was still bad and the taxi drivers were still choosing their passengers, but both were decidedly to a lesser degree this year.

At the Riverbanks, I saw a glimmer of hope. Happy shoppers were delighting at the bargains. Kids were crying in frustration after having to walk around so much... until the light show began in the park. Every hour, for about 15 minutes, Christmas music would fill the air and the lights on the trees, lanterns and displays would flicker to the beat. This was interspersed with the LED-lit toys kids were throwing in the air bought from vendors nearby. Groups were seated on the lawn sharing dinner, stories and we heard a lot of laughing.

Laughter... that I guess was the antidote to my pessimism. Yes, the events of recent months have dampened the season quite a bit, but they did not dampen the spirit. My own daughter had been showing me this with her innocent excitement at the season. My own chagrin at the thought of spending yet again may have blinded me... until I saw those people at the park.

There is hope yet. And I am thankful.

Happy holidays, everyone!

=)K