Miracles of Prayers, Part Two....

7. In 1986, my husband Lucas wanted to go to USA and Canada to visit his brothers Antonio and Domingo. The planned visit would take about a month to travel and tour. I did not like to go that far nor that long, since the kids were still very young, Roy being 11 years old, Tom was 9 and Emil 7. But Lucas said, if I won’t go, he would go by himself. That settled the issue. And so I prepared, way ahead of time, on how to leave the children in good hands while we traveled to America. Lucas and I left for USA in May when the children were on school vacation. I left them in Manila with my brother William and sister-in-law Jean at Balete Drive, Quezon City. I assigned Naning Bolodo, their yaya, to take care of them. I hired a young student from the University of the Philippines to give them Math and Reading home service tutorials. While their cousins attended summer classes in Binondo, I gave instruction that my children were not to go that far for summer classes. I also gave instruction that the summer tutorial class at home was specially for my kids only, as per request by the UP tutor. He did not like outside disturbances while conducting his classes. Alas, because I wasn’t around that summer to bring them out, my three young boys had a long boring vacation. A blessing in disguise though, instead, they looked forward to their daily tutorials everyday. The young tutor was innovative, he brought comic books for them to read. I, on the other hand was full of worry during my trip, specially concerning Roy’s physical health condition. However, I donned on my hope and trust and faith in the Lord each day. I prayed my rosary on the bus, or on the plane, or at the hotel room. Furthermore, the one month tour was even extended for another half month. I held on to my rosary everyday and prayed for my children. Miraculously, even though my children had the most boring summer vacation ever, yet no incidents or illnesses transpired during the whole of that summer. Roy was asthma free and continued to be healthy for a duration of 8 months since we left Cotabato. Thank you O Lord! Thank you my God for taking care, and taking very good care of them while we were away. I love you my God!!! The rosary indeed was and is powerful. Thank you so very very much!!!

8. Lucas and I came home from our tour in June, from which the school year had already begun. We brought the kids home to Cotabato. I was overwhelmed with catching up with my school work at CCI, at the same time catching up with my own children school loads too. By July, I missed my period. It had been 7 years since my last pregnancy.

9. The following is the history of my children’s birth, before the arrival of my twins:

a. Roy was born in 1975 in Cotabato City. I underwent classical Caesarian section. He weighted 8.6 pounds. I had a most traumatic experience during the course of my delivery and recuperation because of the crude methods they practiced at the hospital. Because of my traumatic experience in Cotabato during the birth of Roy, I decided to have my second child delivered in Manila.

b. Tomas my second baby was delivered in Manila on November 7, 1977. My new very efficient obi-gynecologist  Dra. Alice Sy (God rest her soul) in Manila made a new incision. She deemed my previous classical operation and healing in Cotabato too crude. She delivered and gave me a low cervical Caesarian section instead. Tomas weighted 8.4 pounds. The doctor advised me that due to my very thin uterus and massive adhesion, I could only have one more baby henceforth.

b. Emil, my third son was born in Manila on September 5, 1979. I chose to be attended by the same efficient doctor, Dra. Alice Sy. It was supposed to be my third and last Caesarian delivery. I was advised for tubal ligation. Lucas and I were tasked to sign for the procedure. The doctor also prepared and readied the hospital for possible blood transfusions. But in the course of affixing my signature, I made a bargain with Dra. Sy. I said, maybe she could possible save me for another baby. Probably I would like to have another baby again in 5 years time. She dismissed me out rightly that I would be in grave danger to have another pregnancy, besides I would be too old already in five years time according to her. Astounded because I was only 28 years old then. But, okay; the doctor knew best, so my husband and I consented and signed. Yet, right after the Caesarian operation, when I was in semi consciousness, Dra. Alice Sy whispered in my ear...”It’s a baby boy, and I did not have you ligated.”

To be continued.......