The real voyage of discovery consists of not in seeking new landscapes but
in having new eyes.~Marcel Proust
An update regarding Mrs. Arin comes from SJAAA-NA President Marcia Budalian-Stephen via the SJA Alumini YahooGroup:
Dear St. Johnites,
I just got off the phone with Mrs. Luz Palis-Arindaeng and she had asked me to relay to all of you her deepest gratitude and thanks for all your prayers and your phone calls to her which lifted her spirit and took away some of her fears and worries over her eye surgery.
Her two hour eye cornea transplant went well and she said her eyesight is much better now even though it is only a week. She has a six months restriction on travelling by plane and while she is worried about the flooding over their property in the Philippines, she has accepted the fact that there is nothing she could do but pray.
Thanks to all of you who made those calls to her. It is amazing how a simple gesture like that have made a world of difference to her. I think that no matter where we are, our deep sentiments and memories of St. John’s will continue to keep us all as One Family!
May you be blessed for the blessings you give to others,
Marcia Bundalian-Stephen
Class 1962
While personal and external calamities form part of our life cycles to test us or challenge our resolve, it is always a step into the light, so to speak, when these are overcome through private prayers, internal strength or the imbibed energy and good will from a support group.
Such has been the case with the recent personal calamities as Lanie’s loss, Evelyn’s recovery, Annie’s recent surgery, Mrs. Latayan’s coping with property damage and Mrs. Arin’s regained sight.
And it does make a world of difference when we know that the bigger membership of the St. John’s Academy family can be depended upon for more than just a helping hand. It makes healing faster and easier and, hopefully, more permanent, and makes the rest of our journeys more meaningful.
Credit for the image above: photomontage by krvilla from images by mikekorn and sundstrom of sxc.hu.