Love begets love...

 ...always.

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by PAM

It's been more than two years since my kiddos from Class of 2019 in the Faculty of Engineering of my University graduated.  Four of them have taken and passed their licensure examination in the same year.  So, they are now registered engineers under the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) of the Republic of the Philippines.  As such, they are now employed in various industries, and it is always delightful to hear their updates.  The others who graduated in 2020 have yet to take the licensure examination, but most of them are already working as well.

When I was still in the Philippines, we usually get together virtually as the pandemic prevented us from seeing one another in-person.  I did not expect that, while I'm here in the US where there is 15-hour difference between our time zones (at least, where I am currently located), I would get the chance to see them even just virtually.  In fact, we have not gotten together virtually ever since I arrived in the US.  I am happy though that they did not let 2021 ended without us getting together.  Yesterday (evening of Dec. 30 for me, and afternoon of Dec. 31 for them), one of them organized a virtual get-together via Zoom.  Needless to say, I was very happy to see them.  They have grown... the pandemic sped up their professional and individual growth process, but they seemed to have adapted well.  They remain happy, optimistic and fun people!

In between big news, updates and laughter without restraint, I felt the familiar coziness of friendship and love from all of them despite the great physical distance between us.  It felt good and beautiful, and I thank God once again for these gifts of "spiritual kids" who warmed up cold days with their sincere care and affection, and lit up dark skies with their happy smiles and laughter!  I just love them, and I do believe they love me, too!

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Photo credit:  I own the three winter photos in the collage while the Zoom photos belong to Keizer Bihasa.