We have been blessed, challenged and blessed over the past couple of weeks. Everything happened so fast and major decisions had to be made immediately that all we can do is pray we made the right ones. And I feel that we did, despite what other people might say.
I was blessed with a new job. However, this came with a challenge of searching for a new childcare for EJ, one which is nearer to my new office. I have exerted my best effort at sprinting through MRT stations, bus stops and walkways just to attempt to pick EJ up on or before their latest pickup time, but alas, it is impossible. Travelling a distance similar to Manila-Las Pinas in 30 minutes is not doable during rush hour, even in a cab. So then the frantic Internet search and phone inquiries for childcare services near my office area began, including a reprimand by EJ's childcare principal. She told me that if I would always be late for 30minutes, they cannot accommodate that on a daily basis, so it's either look for somebody to pick EJ up OR transfer him to another childcare, for our welfare. I understood their point. They didn't care if we could pay their late penalty because it wasn't about the money (even if it is SGD1 per minute late charge and that's P34 per minute, yes.). They cared about the families of the teachers who would be forced to stay late because of EJ, and more importantly, they cared about EJ who would always have to endure being left alone and picked up last, which has a negative impact on the child. And yes, despite running for dear life, I was late for 38 minutes and had to pay SGD38 or P1,292 that night as penalty. (Is there anybody who ain't filthy rich willing to pay for that every day? Hands up please.... No one? Thought so.)
It was next to impossible to book a childcare slot near business districts for obvious reasons -- because a lot of parents have done so already. Not only were the slots scarce, but their prices where sky high and I had to look for one which was along the route of our morning shuttle/premium bus. My anxiety was as high as the tuition fees and my hope was as low as our account balance. But lo and behold. A not so sky-high priced childcare, walkable along our morning bus route had 1 slot remaining for Nursery 2 level.
Apparently, impossible was NOTHING with God.
With EJ's August slot in the new childcare secured, it was back to the original problem -- who would pick EJ up for the remainder of July? Saturday afternoon, we made a plan. Saturday night, it was SOS to our folks in the Philippines. Monday afternoon, my superMom flew to Singapore, leaving her job, appointments, trainings, meetings behind. Mom and Dad decided that she would stay here for the remainder of July to take care of EJ. What did I just say? Impossible was NOTHING with God. And supportive parents.
Tears of joy, relief, thanksgiving, happiness, gratitude, blessedness.... Getting sick because of all the literal running around to pick EJ up while my body was still adjusting to new routines of waking up early and travelling a lot and worrying about everything else.... Feeling guilty knowing how much Mom was/is giving up just to be here for us (trust me, I KNOW!!!). Feeling even more guilty leaving Dad alone behind ( especially amidst the damn typhoons!!!). Bracing myself for a new slew of adjustments when Mom goes back to the Philippines. Name it, I'm feeling it right now. Oh, and I had my IELTS exams in the midst of coughing fits and stress. WOOT!!
Lord God, You have proven countless times that You are always On TIME and that everything has a reason. My only wish is that the people around us would have an open mind to understand what we are going through, without judging us based on the little that they (think they) know. May You also open their hearts so they may appreciate the struggles and effort that we put into our lives.
I'm still reeling from everything that's happening. Still haven't fully recovered physically. Preparing myself mentally. But still boils down to one thing:
I am too BLESSED to be STRESSED!
Still grateful,
