Here and Now in the Philippines

My temporary Kubo is on the right

It’s hard to believe it’s already been over two months since I arrived in the Philippines. So much to take in. The sounds, the smells. From dry Namibia to rain almost every day.

I won’t try to post everything that’s happened in life so far. It’s too much and too overwhelming. But I keep coming back to one late afternoon as I sat on the back deck of my one-room bamboo kubo during our Pre-Service Training (PST) in Pag-asa, Bataan.

The rain started slow, then a rolling, steady pulse - like life. Like a heartbeat.

I thought of Philip and how he wouldn’t hear this rain. Yes, I was sad and lonely. Missing him. It would be nice to sit together, listen, breathe, listen again. But I’m the one here now. I can hear it, smell it, feel it. And maybe that’s what I’m supposed to do.

People talk about moving on after loss. I don’t know that you ever do. For me, it’s more about noticing moments. Remembering the good. Feeling the loss. Then somehow being present in what’s right in front of me.

I took a video. Not to show anyone. Just to remember. The rain. The sound. The quiet reminder to stay awake to life while I still can.

And as I write this, we are awaiting the arrival of Super Typhoon Uwan. It's swirling out in the Philippine Sea and heading this way. Thankfully, Peace Corps consolidated more than 50 volunteers to Manila in anticipation of the storm's intensity and wrath.

But, I've been through something like this before...fierce, unforgiving, and bringing a torrential downpour where everything gets wet! But the sun will come out and life does go on...and so it is for me here in the Philippines.

Hic et Nunc!