Cookie Says an inspiration to share

Last week, I viewed a video ad from a link posted by a Facebook friend. The video featured a new commercial of Lemon Square that "gives us that warm, fuzzy feeling with an unlikely love story that ends with a twist..." as written by Isa Rodriguez.

What's so special about this video other than the fact that it has been generating good reviews? Well, Mariel, the female endorser is the daughter of my long lost friend, Vicky. That, I discovered after watching the video, and browsing through the thread of comments while stalking (ssshhhh....) the FB friend's timeline (sorry, Willie, I couldn't help it!). Now, that struck my chest point-blank. Viewing the video over and over again suddenly made me miss Mariel's mom.  Memories of the past came alive once more.

That's Vicky, my best friend in college. It's been years! But then after all those years, I now realize, I am not the best of friend for her. How could I be, after missing her wedding and her last days on earth? I never even had any idea of the suffering she went through before traveling on to another life. Recalling the past is too painful for me now. The tears are now falling. So before I get drowned in the pangs of guilt, let me just show you a few reminders I have of her during our days as nursing students. So glad to have found these in the pages of my photo album. Sad to realize though we had very few photos of us together (either I was holding the camera or she was on the other half of the class at a different location or the resolution of the photos are not good enough for posting. Bless the persons who took those photos.) Now I'm left with these very few worth posting. 

In simplicy, there is beauty.

Slim and sexy

Vicky and Yamie

One of the very few poses we had together as a batch

The capping ceremony--- a step to the fulfilment of our goal 

 Anolin-Benzon-Caro-Custodio-Divina-Gauan-Ginzales-Mata-Oviedo-Rosal-Tallafer... so the roll call goes. The queue during the Capping Ceremony was no exception. Mine was always the last name to be called.


All studying and no play make nursing students' life a great bore

We used to take the bus or jeepney together everyday to and from school. We would spend sleepless nights in her house or my room with other girl classmates for a group study before major exams and long hours in the library, waiting for our crushes from the College of Law while pretending to read our books. She was imbued with a good sense of humor, like me, that's why we clicked. Oh, yes, we shared a lot of fun, tears and laughter until we graduated from college.

Vicky with classmates (Lulu and Rose) and medical intern in a community practicum
in Bay, Laguna where she met for the first time the man
who eventually became the love of her life

I just love this photo of her taken just before our college graduation.



What's the next best thing after receiving one's diploma? 

Passing the nursing licensure exam, of course, and taking an oath as a professional nurse!

Very thoughtful she was, even after she got married. I received this card from her.

Once she visited me at the dormitory where I stayed as a young nurse in the hospital where I work. She brought along her eldest daughter, a toddler then. That was the last time I saw her. We got lost in our separate lives again, though I remember calling her to say hello several times in her home where she would share with me about her private practice in support of her husband's profession.

Simply beautiful, you are, 

Ma. Victoria Rosal-de la Cruz.

The memories linger.

My tribute to you, 

on this your birthday.

And finally... a page from my slumbook

Yes, indeed,
"friendship is a golden chain that grows stronger each day, ... each year."

With you, Vicky, it has grown beyond life!
I need not see nor feel it now, not even in the days to come,
I stay content at the thought of us having shared it together then, my friend!

"Sometimes, the best words aren't said. They're shared."
-Cookie Says by Lemon Square Cupcakes