The Lumenarias

They're beautiful inside and out. They're sweet, charming, and caring. They're lovable, loving, and beloved. Always supportive, shoulders to cry on or simply lean on, hands to hold. They'd readily stand up and fight for each other's cause and dish on anyone who'd make their sisters cry. They would, however, also be honest enough to say if our concerns are silly or or if one of us is becoming solipsistic. They keep each other real.

These are the Lumenarias. The "enlightened" women who met each other virtually back when they were just newlyweds and have bonded through time. How they met? Through the newlywedsatwork@yahoogroup.com, where they shared new wifey roles and woes, cleaning and other household keeping tips and tricks, pregnancy concerns, milestones of their children, anniversary celebrations, problems with co-workers, neighbours, and in-laws. After nine + years, they figured they could no longer relate to the much younger newlyweds nor want to share their most intimate thoughts, concerns, and experiences with women they didn't really know. And so Lumenarias was born.

Despite having only reunited for only a little over a month, the Lumenarias welcomed the new pregnancies of a few and sympathised with the loss of one; prayed for the safety of those affected by the Ketsana typhoon and donated what they could for one who was gravely affected by it; swap tried and tested recipes; and continue to make everyone feel good about themselves, while still keeping things real.

I've never had a sister and despite having studied in an all-girl school from preschool to high school, I had difficulty getting close to other women most of my life. Well, that is, save for my mom. But I call these Lumenarias my sisters and I'm glad to be one of them.

Beyond Ourselves

You've always been there for me
even when you did not know it.
Knowing in my heart that I could run to you
if I needed to was at times enough.
Thinking of you, what you would say
if you were there made it seem
like you never left.
All those times I wanted
you to be the first to know
what was going on --
I did tell you, you know.
Those conversations may have been
all just inside my head,
but they kept you and me
alive and real.
So much so we can start
were we left off
as if we never truly did.

How many people in a lifetime can you say truly know you and accept who you are, whom you've become, the person you are going to be? Someone who knows what's going on your mind, what you would say, before you even start forming the words in those little grey cells?

I have such a special someone in my life. Sad to say, he has not been that much a part of it the past years as much as I thought he would be, as I wanted him to be. Our pride seemingly kept us apart more than the lands and seas that were physically in between us, not wanting the other to think less of the persons we've become. Much more, to not be understood and accepted. Alas, it was, in the end, what kept us apart was our lack of faith in each other.

But that was then. We've hence vowed to be better friends. No more pretenses.

In the meantime, as we cannot yet spend endless hours catching up on each other's lives, plans, and dreams, the virtual world would have to do and we'll be taking our coffee to go.