Caleb's Dedication

It was October 10, the same date as my Mommy's birthday. Mommy was worried because it had been raining the past few days and it was just after the great typhoons, Ondoy and Pepeng's rampage. A lot of Mommy's guests, who were mostly my godparents might have had a hard time trouble getting to Cabanatuan. Even Daddy is from Manila that is why Mommy was crying the entire morning, thinking that the celebration would have had to be cancelled. You see, even though the rest of Luzon was flooded and chaotic, by the grace of God, Cabanatuan did not suffer the ill-effects of typhoon Pepeng. The problem was, the roads from Zaragosa-Lapaz, Gapan to Sta. Rosa were flooded and impassable.

Thank God for a Sunny, hot day. The entire morning, all of us were preparing the house, which was where the venue for my dedication is going to be held. I was being cared for by my Mommy while Mama and Papa had to buy more food and decorations for the party.

It was noontime and everything was going well and things were finally looking up since the roads going to Cabanatuan are now deemed "passable". Daddy and my godparents who rented a van to get here said that they were almost to Cabanatuan and Mommy was now happier because it was now 100% sure that the celebration will continue.

Although most of Mommy's guests from Manila, particularly one of my "Ninongs" and her college friends could not make it, there were still a lot of guests who arrived. Pastora Leah Valino was the one who dedicated me to God. Since I am not yet of age and am still a baby, I was to go through a "dedication" or "dry baptism" rather than a traditional baptismal ceremony. If you might be wondering why this is, is because we are Born Again Christians.

Anyway, there was a lot of food and a lot of people and I was very sleepy at that time that was why I was crying the whole time. Despite my "big boy" outfit of a polo shirt, shorts and shoes, I am after all, only a 3-month old baby. Despite my size and length, I needed more nap time and I was so irate by the noise, the unfamiliar faces and the constant shaking.

Mommy and Daddy were busy entertaining guests and Mama and Papa were busy with the preparations. But even though I didn't stick to my schedule or get to hang out with my parents this day, I was so pooped that night, that I finally got to bed and slept for a good long time.

Thank you Lord for making this day special.