Warmth

It was a bustling, season-greeting Christmas Eve.
Billy put on his jacket, ready to have a night of his life.
Once in a year does this sensational feeling take its toll in his life.
And it wears off once the season is over.
He has just graduated from high school.
Better make the best of the last hours of holiday.


It was a lonely, dark Christmas Eve.
Kevin tried his hardest to wrap himself with his thin, ragged sheet of plastic.
It is the same year after year.
A continuous cycle of survival in the winter during the darkest night of the year.
This twelve year old has never met his birth parents.
All he wishes, is for the cold winter season to end.


The streets were jam-packed with pedestrians.
The side-walks were decorated with lights and music was in the air.
People carrying the Christmas spirit were dancing and mingling, as they counted down to midnight.


Kevin, in his isolated corner amongst the slumps, mustered enough courage to take a peep into the streets.
He grimaced with disgust.
"What is this Christmas?" He thought,"It's just a foolish time of disturbance to me."
He turned his back against the wall that separated the slumps and the city, closing his eyes in irritation.
Nevertheless, he was tempted to take short glimpses out into the streets, envying the happiness that he saw in the people.


"Sorry, I'm late!"
A cheerful, smart looking teenager arrived into Kevin's field of vision.
Gasping for air, he still wore a joyful smile as he greeted his friends.
"You're lucky you're in time for the countdown!" said one of his friends.
Kevin glanced at the clock located at the highest building in Meville Square, it was 20 seconds to midnight.


The countdown began.

20!..19!..18!..
People were staring intensely at the movement of the clock's hands, screaming as the numbers being shouted descended.

14!..13!..12!..
Kevin held the cracks of the wall, sticking half of his body out to get a better view.

10!..9!..8!..
The shouting of the crowd heightened.

5!..4!..3!..2!..1!..
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!


Within seconds, friends started shaking hands, wishing each other.
Couples and relatives hugged and exchanged kisses.
Even strangers who have met began to smile and greet one another.

Kevin managed to catch the smart looking teenager and his friends exchanging gifts.
Presents, nicely wrapped up in gold foil and perfected with a red ribbon on top.


A warm feeling manifested inside of Kevin.
He wanted to be part of it.
He wanted to feel the happiness everyone felt.
He wanted to know what is Christmas really like.
In the midst of his flow of thoughts, he was interrupted by a gentle and kind voice.

"Hey little kid, why aren't you out here with everyone of us?"
Kevin looked up, and saw a tall figure, leaning against the wall he was looking out from.
The person crouched down and gave a smile of assurance to Kevin.

"I'm Billy, nice to meet you!"

Precariously, Kevin stuck his head out nearer to Billy, observing him.
"Oh, wait!"
Billy placed his hand into his sling bag, as if in search of something important.
He took out a small, transparent box tied up with a ribbon, and slowly lowered it in front of Kevin's chest.
"Here, it's for you, I baked it this morning."


Stretching his hands out, Kevin received the gingerbread man cookie.
Holding it with his malnourished fingers, he looked up again to Billy.
Clad in unwanted pieces of clothing, no shoes and sheltered from the cold only by a plastic sheet.
Once again, Billy smiled at him.
He took off his jacket, wrapped it around Kevin and patted his head thrice before saying the words that now meant a lot to the boy, "Merry Christmas kid!"


Cold tears fell down the cheeks of the twelve year old.
But his heart was filled with comfort and warmth.
He had finally experienced the love and the true meaning of Christmas.


There are many, just like Kevin, whom have yet felt the Christmas spirit.
Looking for love and grace, but no one to celebrate with during the festive season.
All they need, is just a small act of kindness from those who are already blessed.
Even if they are strangers.
It can make a difference.

Go!

My absence for the past week is due to a mass mahjong spree every night(or shall I say morning) from Tuesday.

I need to be cured from my sunburn. Random comment. =]


Woots.

Surface

Enjoy. =)




All panels were done using Microsoft Paint.
Things I come up with when I'm bored.

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As time passes, the things I learn also become more and more valuable.
Things that I will remember for a lifetime.
Lessons that I will carry and teach my kids and students.
From generation to generation.

But the best has yet to come.
There are still greater things to be done.
Not by us.
But by future heroes and heroines of the next era.


Still, we press on and improve.
What we are in this time affects how much we impart into the next generation.

There will definitely be a time to pass on the baton.
For now, let's keep the grip on the baton strong and run our race.
I will keep on improving.

Booster-bug

Stole this from Jon's blog
A fragment of the infinite memories that I have from the term called "Brotherhood"


Relationships come and go, but Brotherhood stays and grows.

And my new phrase:
"You may be recession-proof, but you will never be Ryan-proof"
(and I'll give you a nice big hug)

Ouch!

Spiderman needs a break from being a hero once in awhile


Carelessly burnt my hand with boiling water yesterday.
(Even a superhero can get injured by burns)=]
I need to heal fast, so I can play my guitar for Prom tomorrow.

"By His stripes, I am HEALED."
Confess, Believe, Experience, then Testify.
He is the ultimate Superhero.