Thanksgiving.

Being grateful is an attitude that will always be in vogue. People always appreciate a healthy dose of "Thank you" or "This means much to me" every now and then. The Class 2005 Scholars and Benefactors Get-Together last night was one occasion wherein the virtue of gratitude could be, and was, expressed. Although I do not have any personal benefactor vouching for my scholarship here in the Ateneo, I still feel thankful that the Ateneo College Scholarship, and the Ateneo Freshman Merit Scholar Award, was awarded to me. Without it, I would not have been here, enjoying the wonderfulness of an Ateneo education.

A lot to be thankful for, really. Fr. Jet Villarin, the presider of the mass last night, enumerated three things: freedom, education, and life. And I wholly agree. I am thankful for being able to exercise my independence, something which studying in Manila away from my family provided me. The Ateneo education is a gift I also appreciate. I am proud of my Ateneo education. And I am happy to go into the world as an Atenean. Finally, I am grateful for the opportunity to share my life with the people I love. Without them, life would just have been a series of both fortunate and unfortunate events. With them, it ceases to become just a series, but a melody, a harmony of lives intertwined by both these fortunate and unfortunate events. A lot of things to be grateful for, really.

The occasion last night was one of thanksgiving, but it wasn't all that. It also gave recognition to those scholars who distinguished themselves by graduating with distinction. Clifford Lim, Robert Lizares, and Reinabelle Reyes are apparently the only three to graduate summa cum laude in our batch. And Patrick Echevarria is our Class 2005 Valedictorian. Wow! Congratulations, you guys! It was also the first time for me to hear that I'm graduating with honorable mention. It's official, then. Wonderfulness!

It was fun. There was laughter all around, and people were generally in a good mood. Not only that. I guess the hefty amount and the deliciousness of the food served during dinner helped a lot in building up the mood. I went back for a second serving myself. Such a blast! :)

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From whom much is given, much is expected.

Prayer for Generosity

Lord Jesus, teach me to be generous;
teach me to serve you as you deserve,
to give and not to count the cost,
to fight and not to heed the wounds,
to toil and not to seek for rest,
to labor and not to seek reward,
except that of knowing that I do your will.

Amen.