Sunday Song, Prayer and A Photograph: Why The Happy Birthday Song?

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Quarantine Day 35

I was listening to the Sunday Healing Mass (televised) today which is being officiated by Father Oscar Orbos.

This had been a usual in the house even before the lock down brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Every 6:00AM on Sundays, I open the television and our home celebrates the mass via the television.  But, of course we still attend the actual celebration later in the day.

One of the lesson that struck me most during this celebration is the advise that Father Orbos gave before his final blessing.  He reminded about washing hands.  He said that instead of singing the Happy Birthday song, why not say the "Hail Mary".

Thinking about it I realized its one sensible advise.  My birthday happened last month on the very day that the lock down took effect and there was really nothing "happy" about it.  Birthday celebration in this time of pandemic is not the best thing to do when other people are mourning for the death of their love ones and that most people are struggling with their survival.

Call me crazy but I actually counted the number of words comprising the "Happy Birthday" song and the "Hail Mary".  The Happy birthday song has a total of :

39 words - if you sing the song in full
16 words - if you sing the first part of the song only

The Hail Mary has a total of 41 words, 42 if you include "Amen" in your prayer.  It will not only make your hands cleaner by praying the litany rather than singing the Happy Birthday song which right now is actually untimely, She might actually be listening too.  She always, always listen.

The photograph of the Virgin Mary was taken from Lake Bulusan located at the Bulusan Volcano National Park when I explored the Bicol Region some two years back.   It was one of my unforgettable exploration where I thought I felt quite a number of miracles.

Merry Month of March No More

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Today the 75th day of the year, the government announced that the Enhanced Community Quarantine should take effect on midnight tonight. ECQ for most people is a subtle term for lock down.

Today happens to be my birthday as well.  Today will encompassed all previous birthdays that I considered the most memorable ones as today is undeniably my most unforgettable.

Yesterday, amidst the anxieties and panic caused by the COVID 19 pandemic, I was lucky (and smart) enough to score myself a birthday cake from SnR.    I remembered to snatch it from the rack and took advantage of the discount as well. We did an early grocery shopping before the lock down takes effect to secure home necessities grabbing on cleaning and hygiene materials.  I bought just enough and throw dagger looks to those who were obviously hoarding. I hoped I was able to help a bit by doing my part of just buying enough and sending signals to those who were hoarding (laughs).

Though I can no longer call my birthday month a "merry month" as it would be cruel and insensitive for the world or at least to where I am located to say so, I just thought that I could have even just a cake to blow and whisper my one important wish as I believe in God, angels and birthday wishes.  I am using my wish card for this year. 

Dear God, I only have one wish for today and that is to please heal us, the world from this pandemic, the corona virus COVID-19.   Forgive me for being too ambitious for making this wish but please God, please.