i named her ROPHE MIA

I named her Rophe (Ra-fa) Mia for she is MY HEALER.

Rophe is hebrew for Healer and Mia italian for mine..

My adulthood was rushed into completion with her arrival 5 years and 2 months ago. It was a spur of a moment decisions, that changed my life forever. And yet not a tinge of regret, not a feeling of unforgiveness.

It was a moments calm that i knew, I had the greatest life’s gift. Iya is a gift,she is a life of her own but a gift nevertheless.

mapping out disneyland hongkong

Just this morning i was laughing hard. Naghahanap si iya ng wallet. Akala ko kung ano na. ” I have money!!” she wails “Its 20 thousand!” My sleepy brain could hardly picture this out.. she quickly shows me her waddled monopoly play money “See? 20thousand!”

We are opposites you see. While i shy away from the limelight, Iya adores the being adored. “Its her duty kookie, you should be satisfied, eh kasalanan nya bang naging pretty-prettihan sya?” my friend pointed out. “Kung ikaw nasa spotlight., aba! mahiya ka naman!” she said laughing

at the airport going for a vacation

Iya too is an avid traveller.. She has been to more destinations than I have been! All over Asia all over the Philippines all over the compound and the house..

Its just so amazing how she grew up so fast, i hardly noticed how tall she grew, how she outsmarts me, how she kicked the bigger neighbor who bullied her (i do not tolerate her in this ha but i must admit i laughed when i learned the bigger kid cried for help when Iya started kicking her). And how she dresses up like barbie. Two weeks ago i was proud to say she has accomplish a feat that made me really proud. It has been my christmas tradition to clean out my closet and personal stuff. It is my way of thanking God for another year and faithfully asking him to provide for me and my needs the coming year (believe me this tradition has never failed me). I wanted Iya to voluntarily do this too, so in her 5 years of life since she has been all for herself. This december however, I was amazingly touch how she one by one sorted her toys, old clothes and old books to give out all in her choices! She tooked out all the stuff that does not fit into her being a “big girl” to give out to younger babies.

a night in laoag

There has been times when i wanted to give up too. Frustrated to wits end. This is after all still a world filled with people who would want to see themselves in better places than you are.

How they look down at us for never having that ideal family. How they pity Iya for not being sheltered more than other children are.

But seeing Iya makes all the difference. She dolly gails her way towards me. Kisses me on my forehead and warmly comforts me. And when she needed comfort all she does is lightly tilt her head towards my heart and listen intently.. “Nay, your heart said – tug – tug -tug, does that mean you love me?”

– baby i do, very much –  INAY..

This is for you Iya, For turning 5 years and two months tomorrow. For bringing that constant healing that i needed, for completing the Joy that i have always been named to be. For being little bitchy at everything, for turning out to be the youngest diva in the world, for being scared at you own puppy, pointing out that you like the more expensive barbie, for rooting for me (even if i am failing).

Babe, I will always be your bestfriend. Here, there and everywhere…