To the Editor:
We just got our Christmas tree from the farm last Saturday! It is almost seven feet tall.
I remember asking my kids Rafael, 15 and Ella, 17 to capture the moment. It was funny how their sister Mariyah, 21 who lives two and a half hours away from us is aching to come home (just thinking about the brutal exams week ahead of her), excitedly uploaded my photo as her BBM profile pic. Of course, as usual, my wife Marilou, is more concerned about the clean up after a few weeks and the "impracticality" of buying another one next year.
Getting a real tree, for the very first time since we migrated here in Canada in 1997, not only elicited a lot of surprises (like when it fell on the first night!) but a lot of insights as well. Yes, this year's "Christmas" is different from the last fifteen years - not only because of the "real" tree but mainly because of the recent heart-changing and life-transforming events in our lives that made us all "real" in the process!
You see, I was a former sponsored child from the Philippines in the early '70s. I am eight in a family of ten. Supported by a single mother after my father passed away when I just barely turned seven, life was truly tough and uncertain back then. It was at this particular time when, together with my four other siblings and I became a sponsored child.
Looking back, I remember the excitement I had every time I heard from my sponsor. Special seasons like Christmas, Back to School and even Birthdays became extra special because of their generosity, kindness and love. Through their overseas help, my siblings and I received new clothes and shoes during Christmas. We also received basic school supplies like "mongol" pencils, "manila" paper and colored "cartolinas" at the start of the school year. You could imagine how thrilled I was to receive my first GI Joe toy, when all we had to play with were empty milk tin cans, little stones and tiny marbles!
Indeed, through this humbling experience and significant part of my life, I have learned what love, caring and sharing is all about.
Marilou and I were married 25 years ago (yes, we will celebrate our twenty fifth year next year!). Don't get me wrong - ours is not a perfect family. We have had our moments too. But we are blessed us with three wonderful kids. My eldest Mariyah, is now on her final year at the University of Western Ontario taking up Anthropology and Social Science. Ella and Rafael are now in Grade 12 & 10, respectively. Their strong leadership skills, commitment to excellence and passion to impact the lives of those around them is such a pure joy to behold! In fact, all three of them graduated as the "Valedictorians" of their Graduating Class! As for my community involvement, I am a part of the 500-member Association of Filipino Canadian Accountants (AFCA) where I served as its President couple of years ago. I am also a Board Member and Vice President for Public Relations of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce Toronto (PCCT), a group of around 120 Filipino business owners in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
"It's my way being the difference and giving back!" is always my quick and honest response every time people ask me why I work at World Vision Canada. However, just after five years of seeing the suffering of many and the sacrifices of selfless individuals who supported our cause over the years, I cannot help but admit to myself that I got more than what I thought I will give! For one, World Vision helped me see the true meaning and value of life!
wnhouse and left our over than 3,000 sq. ft. new home in the East end, after staying there for only nine months! Let me clarify.
Prior to all these "changes", we have lived comfortably in this modest Pickering home for more than a decade. Last year, we decided it's time for some change and ended up in this nicer, newer and bigger place. But the "guilt" and "disconnect" is too much to bear. That was when we decided to pursue what really matters most in this life.
I know this may sound cheesy to many but here is something I emailed to my family on that exact day we decided to put our house in the market after the Labor Day long weekend last September:
I don't need a BIG HOUSE, I need a HOME
I don't need PRESTIGE, I need RESPECT
I don't need SPACE, I need WARMTH
I don't need TO ALWAYS COUNT WHAT I HAVE,
I need TO COUNT MY BLESSINGS EACH DAY
I don't need TO INVEST NOW, I need TO LIVE NOW
I don't need TO WORRY, I need TO BE FREE
I don't need TO DESPAIR, I need TO BE HOPEFUL
I don't need TO REMEMBER PAIN,
I need TO SEE MY GAIN FROM THE PAIN
I don't need RELIGION, I need RELATIONS
I don't need TO TALK ANY MORE, I need TO LISTEN MORE
I don't need a BIG ROOM, I need a BIG HEART
I don't need a nine OR 11 FOOT CEILING, I need to FEEL TALL FOR GOD'S WORK
I don't need HARD WOOD FLOORS, I need to BE STABLE
Indeed, we simplified our lives to magnify God's work in our lives. By doing so, little did I know that we became "real" in the process - just like our Christmas tree this year!
Yes, I have outgrown those nice Christmas clothes and shoes. I have used up all those school supplies my sponsor had given me forty years ago. The little stones and tiny marbles we played with are now buried with the passing of time - leaving me with nothing but the passion to bring people to the light. And as we celebrate the season this year, I hope to impart this same passion and encourage you to remember those children who are in dire need today.
But please, do not ask me, "Where will these precious lives be after forty years?"
Honestly, I don't know. But one thing I know for sure - World Vision has not only given me bread, clothes or even toys but hope, self-respect and inspiration to be the "real" person God wants me to be.
Edgar Gonzales, Toronto, ON.
