Charmed
Life
Gretheline
Genciana Ramos-Bolandrina
Serendipity
"In reality, serendipity accounts
for one percent of the blessings we receive in life, work and love. The other
99 percent is due to our efforts."
Peter McWilliams said the above. Makes sense,
I suppose. While the dictionary states Main Entry:
ser·en·dip·i·ty; Pronunciation: -'di-p&-tE Function:
noun Etymology: from its possession by the heroes of the Persian fairy tale
The Three Princes of Serendip Date: 1754 : the faculty or phenomenon of finding
valuable or agreeable things not sought for. I suppose the key thing is finding
what is not sought for but it has to be of value or at least agreeable. Sitting
right next to Evangeline Bernabe in a hot classroom back in June 1983, Medicine
Building, UST College of Nursing on the first day of school. That's serendipity.
Her having a pamaypay (fan), sharing it and striking up a conversation isn't.
It's her friendliness, her nature. We have since been the very best of friends.
Ma. Cecilia Francisco made us whole. We took turns being brains, beauty and
baby in the group. One always had to look out for the other. Completed 4
grueling years of academics and clinicals together. We'd never forget our
"frog skeleton" zoology project. Our contrasting lifestyles and backgrounds.
The boys from Science. Equally contrasting 18th birthday celebrations. Our
shopping expeditions, falling in line for concerts. The crushes. College
Ball. Our different paths for career choices. Vangie's always been the go-getter,
active ER-ICU type nurse while I'm more laid back Rehab, LTC type. Cecil
from what I gather, is a charge nurse. Now, Vangie is Maryland based; she
shares her life with a wonderful husband and two adorable sons. Cecil is
in Texas, married to a colleague, with a son and a daughter. We exchange
e-mails every now and then; Vangie calls more often than either Cecil or
I do and never misses to send holiday presents. Serendipity brought us all
together but being mindful of each other keeps our friendship strong, after
all these years."
Sometime in the late 90's, I was very involved
with the Philippine Nurses Association of New England, Inc. I was tasked
to be the MC for Nurses Night celebration and was to introduce a guest singer,
then Ms. Elizabeth Motyka. Not knowing much about her, I've set up an interview
date. Before we even met in person, she was at a mutual friend's party and
she met my mother-in-law. Realizing that they're both Visayan, both born
December 18 (though decades apart) they instantly connect. Serendipity. By
pure connection, I'm in the circle. By the time I got to meet Elizabeth in
person and interview her, it felt like I'd known her all my life. She's a
fascinating person with a heart of gold. A gifted individual who generously
and eagerly shares her many blessings. I enjoyed a brief stint as her right
hand at the Motyka Art Gallery. We've had numerous memorable trips, from
Las Vegas to Florida. Our special friendship deepens as the years grow. Though
we are geographically close, we are respectful of each other's space and
life choices. We do not intrude. I wrote the words to a song and she sang
it, with all her heart.
The ultimate of Serendipity is my asawa (life
partner). My husband of 14 years, Joseph M. Bolandrina. We have yet to agree
whose serendipity it is, his or mine. It'll probably take forever to decide
this. Anyone who's heard of how we first met, our trials, our story may
ultimately make the decision. But whatever it is, the fact that we found
each other, out of all the people in the world, (and stayed together) is
something. Look at us now, that one percent of blessings in life and love
bore us 4four little happy mini-Joe&Grethel-souls boppin' around. Ready
to thread their own adventures. I hope the world is ready for them. May their
own stories of serendipity be as cherished as mine.
Feel free to e-mail me reactions, comments
and or suggestions for ideas to ponder. Contact me at
Gretheline@aol.com or through Carousel
Productions. |
