Christmas – in full circle

Almost the same time last year, I was getting dead wasted in the beach with my friends – Gemma, Bobby and Teng. We were crazy beach brats – driving off to the nearest yet finest beaches in Batangas to just lie on the white sand, stare at the stars and get so drunk, thanks to our favorite Chilean Merlot and Chiraz.

Sounds super fun, huh?

Actually, they were commiserating with me - mourning the death of a love affair, the ultimate ending of a love story.

‘Seems like ages ago.

12 months after…

I am back on my feet again.

I have a wonderful life, a great job, a new and fab partner.

Thanks to the beach brats. I will never forget how patient they all were:

– with Bobby driving to Batangas despite his slipped disc,

– with Gemma listening intently to all my rants and being objective about everything although she was originally Ariel’s good friend,

– and Teng being the always-available funny man who effortlessly cheered me up with his uber-jologs antics.

This year, Bobby spent the New Year in the hospital. He needed to go under the knife to finally kick that slipped disc out. Gemma and I visited him on the 30^th, brought him chocolate cake and wished him well.

I’ve been spending more time with Gemma again. Her turn to experience love woes, courtesy of the cheating boyfriend (read: asshole!).

Teng is a different story, though. Like me, Teng’s finally getting lucky in romance. Woohoo!

My turn to be the good and reliable friend. Who will listen. Who will be there. Who will feel for them. Who will rejoice in their happiness. Who will share their pain.

Not to sound like I am rejoicing other’s misery – but I felt Christmas spirit more because of them.

It sounds really preachy – but I didn’t feel it because of all the gifts, the parties, the alcohol and all the Christmas food.

Christmas this year – felt more like Christmas because I knew and felt I am a partner, a friend, a daughter. Someone who cares for people I love, and someone who is being cared for.

Cheers to that!