Tomorrow, I’ll probably just sleepwalk through my day like a zombie. You see, it’s way past midnight yet still, I can’t sleep. I just came from the mini “welcome home” surprise party my high school friend Myra hosted for another high school friend, Edel, who’s back from the US. Truth to tell, I hadn’t been jumping with excitement at the thought of attending the party. A lot of things conspired to make the affair “unappealing:” my mind was a jumble of thoughts, I was bone weary, and was worried about going home late without a sure ride. My reluctance to join the party was reinforced when I learned that some priests would be in attendance. I pictured a night were conversation would be stilted in the presence of the “holies” and where I’d keep to myself in a corner because I’d find it difficult to blend in and jell. Besides, I secretly harbored this thought that priests shouldn’t be too friendly with the laity and instead, should, at all times behave as, well, “priests.” Despite my misgivings, for Myra’s and Edel’s sakes, I forced myself to make the effort. Also, I had given my word to another friend that I’d go and I was bent on keeping my promise. I’m glad I did go. Turns out, the surprise was probably much more for me than it was for Edel. The lessons I learned tonight were unexpectedly mind-freeing.

Dinner was already underway when more religious personages came. Since we were almost done when the rest of the guests arrived, two of my friends and I retreated to the backroom where we finished feasting on sumptuous seafood dishes. We were keeping a banter going while eagerly sampling the mouthwatering desserts when two younger priests joined us. My first thought upon seeing them was, “There goes my evening.” I braced myself for what could be a sudden turn for the worst and was mentally planning my graceful exit. But the two priests who were totally oblivious to the goings-on in my mind began engaging us in a light and friendly conversation. At first I was determined to keep my distance, but pretty soon, I could sense their sincerity as they drew us into the conversation. When the other guests left leaving the place to just my four friends, the boyfriend of one of them, and the two priests, we had time to get to know one another more. It didn’t take long for all of us to be in the thick of the discussion as the topics turned to vocation, faith, relationships among others. When the priests started asking us about our lives, the four us started sharing bits and pieces about one another, and ended up outdoing one another with praises and accolades about the special talents, achievements and gifts that each one has. This was when I had my “aha moment”. I suddenly saw my friends through eyes of awe and what I saw both humbled and filled me with pride. A flashback brought me back to my high school days. Back then, although the brilliance and talent in them were unmistakable, I never really imagined they’d turn out the way they did – all successful in their chosen fields. Edel, the honoree, is a graduate of UP Diliman and is now a much admired and respected dentist. I tease her calling her the city’s most popular dentist – second only to my uncle. (Of course, that’s debatable.) Myra, a graduate of Maryknoll is the epitome of beauty and elegance and is now a city councilor - no small feat for one who is a neophyte in the world of politics. Greta, a graduate of Cebu Doctors, is our doctor-nurse with a master’s degree from a university in Belgium and is currently working on getting her diplomate. Listen to them speak and you can’t mistake the intelligence and wit. In an instant, I saw them for what they truly are: women of power and each beautiful in their own distinctive way; each one unique and endowed with special gifts and attributes despite the idiosyncrasies and flaws. Come to think of it, not just them but all my batch mates in high school. Ours was a gifted lot. There was so much intelligence, potential and talents then! Now, as I see the persons they have become, I am dumbfounded. And what generous hearts they have! I sent out an invitation to my batch mates based abroad to help out with GK’s SIBOL project as a way of giving back to the city and with very little prodding they responded so generously that I am speechless with gratitude.

How I wish I can describe in great detail all that I see in my batch mates now – 28 years after we graduated from high school. However, it would probably take a whole issue of the Daily Zamboanga Times before I can do them justice. By writing this, I hope they do know how proud I am to be a part of this batch. So much so that although we usually say this in jest, I can now in all humility say, “WMSU High School Batch 82 rocks”. Truly, we do. And I say this not to boast but as a tribute to these magnificent beings God has created out of His goodness and great love. If I wanted to see God’s faith in mankind, I only have to look at my batch and I couldn’t miss it. In them I see how great persons we each can become if we put our gifts and talents to good use while leaning on God’s amazing grace. But this isn’t the most humbling lesson I learned tonight. It is the realization that if I only choose to look at other people the way I look at my batch mates now, as part of and not separate from me, then I’d be more appreciative of the gift each person is. Like how I also saw the priests. I used to measure them against a set of standards of what priests “should be”. Not surprisingly, most would usually fall short. But tonight, when I chose to strip them of their aura of holiness and sacredness and look at them instead as, first and foremost, human beings and ordinary mortals like us, I found myself appreciating their gifts of personhood as well. What a liberating feeling!

Despite my epiphany, I must say I’m not certain how long the lesson and awe will linger…So I can only pray that these eyes that He has given me tonight, will henceforth be the eyes I will see the world through and all the people around me. And then probably, little by little, I too, can learn to love the way He does. Truly unconditionally. Irrationally. Immeasurably.

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