i dedicate this post to families.

because whether we realise it or not, these 'significant others' are called so by textbooks for a reason. because they have a meaningful place in our hearts, no matter the circumstances. or sometimes, it's circumstances which make us realise how much we should have cherished them, and the huge space they actually fill, in us.

i'm saying this in light of the earthquake in sze chuan, and the cyclone in myanmar. natural disasters which shrank families, snatching them away in the blink of an eye. the images we see on tv, in newspapers hammer in the reality of such devastation. the stories we read let us stand there among the heap of remains, among the helpless, feeling helpless in ourselves as we can only watch, and pray.

and then there was the birthday party i went to yesterday night, as the birthday girl's parents gave speeches, prepared powerpoint slides complete with videos; her sister played on the keyboard and sang, and was responsible for the entire program that evening. i thought it was the sweetest birthday party i'd gone to. then i remembered that for those i was a part of, the efforts of family members (surprises from mums, especially) tugged at heartstrings the most (to use a cliche phrase).

and finally, the family with dismembered parts. i need 4 hands to bring my family back together. maybe 6. but let's just focus on 4 first........ or one: the mighty hand of God. i need to have faith in that.

God bless, all.