AJ never really celebrated his birthday with the group before, so his family decided to organize a little surprise for him on his special day. As a gift, I thought of making him something simple and personal that could come from the group. Just took some stamps, ribbons, paper, cardboard, and a puncher to make this present!
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| "AJ is amazing because ______" plus a birthday message from his friends written on the back. |
Happy Birthday AJ! It was great seeing you again, being in your house for the FIRST time, eating the amazing food prepared by your family, meeting your UST friends and just spending time with
you on your special day. Thank you!
The day after AJ's birthday was followed by another celebration. A birthday of someone I'm not really close to; someone whom I have exchanged more "hi's" with than words in a conversation.
I didn't get the chance to really know Paolo Mallari as a person, and it's unfortunate that it is from his passing that I learned about how much of an amazing guy he was. I just always knew him as an acquaintance in Luke 18 and school, but more importantly, as my friend Sasa's boyfriend. But after seeing all the love Pao, his family and Sasa received during his wake, and after hearing all the stories about him and all the things he had done to touch the hearts of all the people that paid their respects, I am inspired. I'm not sure if it was said by the priest or a friend during the mass, but there was a mention about Pao being so good at doing the little things, and these little things affected people greatly, which eventually became big things to everyone around him. This is something that really hit me, and now that I've seen and heard just some of the wonderful small things Pao had done, I am so moved. I realized how much small things can lead to great lessons, memories, and impacts on others, and how it can make someone, like Pao, who did an amazing job as a son, brother, friend, cousin and boyfriend, so great.
I know it's very unfortunate for Pao's loved ones and for the world to lose such an amazing guy, but personally I think that it is because of each individual in Pao's life that he had become the person that he was, and the person that he will always be remembered as. Everyone in Pao's life played a major role in sending him to heaven, and I'd like to congratulate everyone for that. There is probably nothing more fulfilling than being a part of the life of someone like Pao, who at a very young age, gets to stand by God and watch over all his loved ones.
Thank you Pao for the lessons that you have left us all with; for teaching us never to take any person, event, or the chance of a tomorrow for granted.
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| Lanterns in the sky for Paolo's 22nd birthday. |
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