best birthday gift?

As I celebrated my birthday, I look back on what I often consider as the best birthday gifts I have ever received.

Sunday before my birthday,
Naannounce ko, non-working holiday.
Sa lahat ng sangay ng gobyerno.
Makikisakay na din ang simbahan.
Kasama na diyan lahat ng mga sekta. At kulto.
Pag non-working holiday, nagkakaisa lahat.
Inannounce ko, holiday!
Birthday ko kasi.
Palakpakan ang mga tao.
Tuwang tuwa.
Saan daw ang handaan?
Ano daw ang handa?
Sabi ko, depende yan kung magkano makokolekta natin.
Hahaha.
Teka, bat ako lang ata natawa dun.
Humingi ako ng panalangin.
Sabi ko, I’ll be turning 33, the age of Jesus when he was crucified on the cross.
Palakpakan ulit ang mga tao.
Parang gusto ata akong ipako sa krus.
Ako lang ang di natawa dun.

An old man went up to me and wished me well.
And complimented me on my homily.
At least, now I know, there is someone who does not nod off when I rattle off.
He said, he looks forward to what I have to say.
That he pays attention to every comma and period.
Huh?
He added, he relishes every word I have to say.
Eksakto daw lagi sa buhay niya.
Oh.
At least yun, naiintindihan ko. Naaalala ko kasi ang mga salitang sinasabi ko.
At di ko maalala na sinabi ko, explicitly, comma and period.
Well, of course, sometimes, I say period.
But I dont’ say that all the time. Only to drive home a point.
By the way, May isa akong propesor, talagang sinasabi niya, comma.
Di ko siya makuhang gayahin.
Anyway, what he said afterwards warmed my heart.
I am praying for you always, Father.
Assurances like that, promises of those kind,
With or without compliments
Always warm the heart,
Always connecting our hearts with the Heart beating for each one of us
With the Heart who loves
With the heart who gives hope.
Thank you dear God for the gift of life
And for the gift of lives all around me
And most of all for the gift of your life in whose name we kneel to honor and serve.