Date: December 16, 2011
9 MORNINGS: A SINGLE’S WISH FOR A “SIMBANG GABI”
BY: seraphimblue
DAY 1:
I was awaken not my own cell phone clock but I was alarmed by my instinct or by my psychological body clock that I need to attend the church tradition of what we called “SIMBANG GABI” at 4 a.m. As I hurriedly prepare myself so I could sit at the front row of the bench so I could see the priest and all the decorations all over the surroundings. I was excited, not because it’s been the tradition and during the times I worked at the airport; I ordinarily missed the opportunity to complete it because of my bizarre 24 hours work at the medical division. But, I wanted to attend the mass even I’m alone, single and cold. I still, feel the warmth of embrace of our dear Lord. You know why, someone woke me up, someone told me that I need to get up in my bed to start my novena and my sacrifice for this coming Christmas day.
Few are chosen to have that special someone to be with them at “Simbang Gabi”. Maybe, some still, at the courting stage that usually happens outside the church or rather some first time meet up’s that resulted in a long and loving relationship. Some could be walking along the streets looking at the colourful lights of “parol” decorations at the post or some staring at the flickering stars above the clouds. Yes, even the blue moon stares at you and smiling. You are not alone. As you, navigate and smell the sweet aroma of “puto bong bong and bibingka”. That you will selectively buy after the mass behind the thought bubbles of your head. Indeed, that’s what I’m thinking and I’ll buy those delicious foods and eat it for my breakfast.
The cold and dark morning doesn’t stop me from getting into the mass. As I walked and get a tricycle so I could sit in front and as I listen to the sermon. Yes, I arrived at exactly 3:30 am. Actually, the church is already flooding with people. I almost lost my seat at the front row. But, luckily, I was seated with electric fan near me.
I may be single and I believe there are alike me, nowadays. Rather, we choose to be and it doesn’t make any hindrance to be with our dear creator. Even, we agree that is much joy having a loving partner beside us during this wonderful morning. I guess, this is the way it is and we could never change it. Yes, for the mean time, temporarily available.
Time surpass so quickly, I managed to cling, understand and kept the wisdom that our parish priest imparted to me. As I carry the lesson, in able to have a deeper relationship with our dear Lord, we need to invest time. If, we wanted get to know him more. We must devote ourselves in praying. He said, we need to pray in all aspect of our lives so we could learn to love him more. But, that’s not all. We need some actions and we need to have that kind of compassion for others. To act generously not because it’s the right thing to do but it’s the way we get closer to him. So, I decided that after the “Simbang Gabi”. I’ll write every little thing that I will encounter during my 9 mornings. All the sermons and simple things, maybe, in the end; miracles do happen. Yet, Singleness could be so lonely and frustrating. You decide what you want and you deal with all circumstances that come your way and now, you walked alone at “Simbang Gabi” while, others have their loved one’s and crush beside them. Well, amazingly, you will surpass it. We will both complete the 9 mornings, even, I’m starting a new life and I pray for a bright, exciting and magical future next year. Bear in mind, sacrifices are made to find true happiness. So, let me explicitly say, smile even you are “SINGLE” because it’s a gift. Life will turn around. See it and believe. However, I need to ask a big question, why are you attending the 9 morning mass? You knew the answer, I know, what you are thinking. I also wish that. So, follow my journey of 9 mornings; let’s see if it truly works.
