2010: A DISASTROUS YEAR

I don't know if you are going to agree with me. But in my own perception and observations, 2010 has been a disatrous year not only in my life but in the lives of the peoples around the world. Haiti earthquake was one of the fatal events that brought at least 230,000 death toll, and 300,000 people injured. It was January 12th, at 04:53:10 PM when this fatal natural disaster occured. And since Philippines is 13 hours ahead of Haiti, it was already January 13th, 2010, 05: 53: 10AM that time here in my country.

Other global catastrophic events happened in Turkey (6 magnitude earthquake), and Chile (earthquake). China, and Washington DC had both snowstorms.

To think that my birthday is on January 11th, I wouldn't want to conclude that my birthday wishes were not granted by GOD. Every day and every time I celebrate my natal day, I always pray for the human race. For I know that I am not the only one who needs the guidance and assistance of the Lord ALmighty. For I know that I am not the only one who was created by GOD, and every creature needs the love and care of our Almighty Father.

Tragedy also came into my life unexpectedly when my brother, Bern, was brought to St. Luke's Medical Centre here in the Philippines by his traitor friend due to a severe stomach pain. He was brought to the hospital on the 9th of August, maybe, at 10 in the evening. I went to him the following day which was the 10th of August. Then watched over him until he was brought to the endoscopy room to insert that fatal thing inside his body. According to the doctors, endoscopy was performed to determine whether the gallbladder of my brother had stones. But when the examination was over, doctors told me that my brother needed to undergo the operation because the stones in his gallbladder were not seen during the endoscopic procedure.

I was hesitant to let the doctors do the surgery. There were arguments among the doctors, medical staff, and me. Until I gave in to what they wanted to do because of the color of my brother. He had jaundice. Thinking that he would have pains because of his liver, I thought that his liver was already affected because of the explanations of the doctors. And knowing my brother Bern's nature, he couldn't bear any pains; unlike me, I can bear any pains I have in my body due to the congenital heart disease and severe kidney failure, but my brother couldn't; so, I decided to let him undergo the operation. It was August 11th when I went back to my own training centre to hold online classes with my Chinese students for I wasn't able to inform them of what was happening into my life during that time. But I was not done yet with my online classes when doctors called me. Even my niece, Yen, talked to me over the phone telling me to go to the hospital right away because my brother, Bern, needed me. It was already August 12th, at 12 midnight when I reached the hospital by a taxi. I needed to prepare my toga first and other personal things I needed to perform that day, August 12th, Thursday, as a choir member in our church, the Church of Christ. But when I saw my brother, he was already very cold. He looked like he had been dead for long hours.

I couldn't control my emotions. I flared up. I shouted at the doctor who performed the operation, and the staff asking them to let all my family members get inside the operating room to revive my brother, Bern. I was like a mentally retarded person. Still hoping that I could revive my brother by touching his cold body and by talking to him, telling him to come back for me and for the whole family. But he was totally gone on August 12th, 2010. I couldn't believe that only 2 days ago we just talked together, joked togeter, argued together while he was waiting for the time for his endoscopy. I just went back home to change my outfit, but when I went back to the hospital, he was lifeless. The following day was August 13th, my brother's 44th birthday. And he celebrated it inside his white coffin.

This year, 2010, is the most devastating year of my life. I want this to end as soon as possible. I want this year to disappear so all my pains and heartaches will also disappear. Or shall I say, my pains and heartaches will always remain in my heart and mind for another 2010 years for I love my brother, Bern, so much. He's the only one, the only person who understood that I am A SPECIAL WOMAN, that means I was a SPECIAL CHILD.