Retreat Letter

For:

Paul Amiel Dagatan

4-I

Amiel! :D Okay, so hindi ako masyadong magaling sa mga ganito, but since you're a really important friend of mine, I'll try my best. ;)

I don't have any memories of actually meeting you for the first time, basta alam ko kaibigan kita. I never really bothered to find out when we started to be friends, since alam naman natin pareho na bago pa man tayo ipanganak, magkaibigan na ang mga magulang naten. =)) Loyola, Timezone, swimming/outing, kainan ang mga setting ng almost lahat ng memories ko with you. Haha. I remember myself always being excited kapag sasabihin ni Nanay na kayo ang kasama sa lakad, kasi I know it would be fun wherever we're going. Sobrang thankful ako kay Lord kasi I get to be friends with people like you. And before I forget, maraming salamat sa Gameboy Advanced SP na pinamana niyo sa amin ni Hannah. Hanggang ngayon, nilalaro pa rin namin siya. HAHAHA

You're blessed since you're studying sa isang well-known school na tulad ng Ateneo, and we all know kung ga'no kagandang school 'yan. :> This year you'd be graduating. I don't intend to say any cliche to you regarding finishing high school, stepping on another milestone which is college, etc. Hindi ko talaga alam kung anong eksaktong sasabihin ko sa'yo dahil 'di naman ako taga-Ateneo, pero I'll share things which I believe na makakatulong sa'yo as you go on with life. Haha.

Magka-age kayo ni Hannah right? So you're supposed to be 16 or 17 na. I want you to think of what your life has been during all those years that you've been existing on top of the crust of this planet. Think first about your parents, your family, your friends, your relatives, your professors, and all the other people who has a part in your life. Think about the times that they made you smile, in one way or another. After thinking about these people, I'd like you to think about your achievements. The first time you got a medal. That moment you went up the stage to receive an award. Basta lahat ng mga naging achievements mo sa buhay, try to remember it.

Nakalimutan kong sabihin. Sa bawat isang alaala na papasok sa isip mo, gusto ko mag-sulat ka ng isang smiley sa isang papel. Pero sige, 'wag mo na gawin 'yun. :)) Kasi alam kong mapapagod ka lang sa pag-sulat sa sobrang dami ng naalala mo, partida may nalimutan ka pa niyan siguro. =)) Sa lahat-lahat ng mga naisip mong 'yon... I'll give you 3 to 5 minutes to stop reading this and take the time to pray, na pasalamatan si Lord sa lahat ng mga bagay na 'yon. :>

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Tapos ka na? :) Game, ituloy na natin 'to. :D Ngayon naman, I want you to remember the times that you've failed or you felt like a failure. Don't worry, wala akong ipapasulat sa'yo. :p Kahit hindi mo na maalala lahat. Basta you remember how it felt when you failed. Malungkot 'di ba? Hindi naman masamang malungkot, kasi tao tayo. Uhm, eto favorite quote ko, share lang. Pampaliwanag ng buhay kapag madilim, parang Meralco. :>

"When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure." -Peter Marshall

Para sa'ken, it's a better perspective when we face trials and failures. :) I know that you're going to be one strong oak and a finely carved diamond in the future, so I just wanna say na kaya mo 'yan. \m/

I'm almost running out of words, but these last few pieces of advice really needs to be said to you from me, kahit na baka narinig mo na 'to sa iba. :)) Never give up on your dreams and never forget to thank those people who are always supporting you sa lahat ng gusto mong gawin at mga pangarap mo sa buhay. :> Ayun lang. Haha. Congratulations, tapusin mo na 'yang last wave of your high school. ;) God bless you, Amiel! :)





P.S. Let's go to US one of these days and visit the Disneyland over there and bond with Kuya Arvie and Daryl and Daniel once again. Level up na from our Timezone games! =))

-Ate Sarah :>

SARAH GRACE S. MAGLANQUE