it is better to give than to receive - not anymore

we not only need to be willing to give,
but also to be open to receiving from others.

i used to love to think that it is better to give than to receive.
and yesterday’s experience has proven me wrong.
i hosted the christmas party for the la huerta employees association
(i want to baptize my group of loyal employees who are, by the way, my friends and family all rolled in one, the name of L.H.E.A)
(raised eyebrows from some, smirks from others,
from me – the widest, proudest smile ever).













menu included
spaghetti ala virgi,
fried chicken ala jen,
elokyo’s cupcakes,
fruit salad with coco strips ala batawjasoniskoeboy and
orange juice ala inggs.
each of them claimed a specialty, thus the names of our food.
we had to rent a videoke, to provide the music, and the chance to bleat. hehehe.

(the songs were ancient, the voices were going to all the wrong directions).
but i was telling myself, i need not suffer long,

i will leave for home at 6pm.


i prepared some gifts for each of them,and topped all the bags of goodies with 10 pcs of apples each.
apples are imported here, so they are a treat.
the smell of apples bring christmas closer to our senses.

i also bought some household items to be given away by means of a raffle.
grace prepared the lots to be drawn.

the food was superb, in fact, i took a second serving,
(left me with a bloated tummy)

when it was time to open the gift they have so secretly kept from me till now,
i was kinda preparing myself to be disappointed (this was quite mean of me)
i even told them (jokingly) that i will just open it at home
so that they will not see my reaction.

but they wanted me to open it in front of them and watch me.
i know how to deal with this, i was telling myself – act happy!
little did i know that i will be holding back my tears of joy (and shame for being mean in readying myself to be disappointed) when i see the first ever gift i got this christmas (come to think of it, this past few Christmases).


i tore the wrappings away and lo and behold – an antique jar in mint condition. can you imagine how my mouth dropped?

i have learned a lesson – i need not only be willing to give, i also need to be willing to receive. and i was humbled.

most of the time i am afraid to ask for anything, so my needs are unmet. in fact, i loved to think it was better to give than to receive, but yesterday i have been made to realize and know the difference between taking and receiving. giving to others is important. so is receiving from others. i need to accept the gifts the world gives me without shame. i am entitled.

i left for home at 8pm.