I don’t like gory or morbid thoughts, but sometimes I guess imaginations can get pretty wild. You see, I sometimes find myself asking how would I take it if I just suddenly found out that I have a chronic disease and have only a few months left. Sounds scary, right?
The funny thing is, I don’t really feel scared. (Nope, this is not macho talk!) My usual retort would be that everything is gonna turn out alright. Everybody dies anyway. The only things that give me pause were andrea and mateo. But even so, I would still feel that everything will be fine since our parents would immediately take them in if something happened.

But this morning, it was different. I felt genuinely scared. Andrea suddenly complained of a painful lump on her breast and I didn’t know what to do. Having heard of several testimonies from women who suffered from the same thing, I kept imagining several scenarios. The more dangerous and critical the scenario was, the more scared I felt. Apparently fear comes in greater and more overwhelming waves if the one threatened or in danger wasn’t you but the one you love.

I couldn’t help but pray that those lumps are nothing more than clogged milk ducts. Still, I wouldn’t take any chances. I told her to dress up so we could visit the hospital to have her breasts checked. And so we did. We spent the whole morning in the hospital for the checkup. Andrea was more scared of the expenses that would come if ever we find anything. I don’t think andrea realized how worried I was. Never mind. I was just extremely thankful that the doctor had the same suspicions as mine. Nevertheless, she recommended that andrea undergoes breast ultrasound tomorrow. Hopefully, the results would finally give us a peace of mind.

Before all this, some relatives who have a Florida healthcare plan told us months ago to get our own which I now realize we definitely need. According to them, Peoples Health Insurance, LLC, aside from having the usual agents to help clients out, also provides quotes online from numerous health insurance carriers which will make it easier for us to choose an affordable and flexible plan that fits our budget. That should really help us, they said. And I agree. So as soon as I check out their plans, I’ll probably get one for both andrea and I… for additional peace of mind.

In my several years of stay in the farmhouse, I’ve been friends and buddies with many of my co-teachers. Some of them I knew even before teaching while some I only met there for the first time. Others I only grew closer to after working with them. Others simply became friends as a result of spontaneity.

I guess it can’t be helped. The school is a small one, accommodating only as much as 2 sections per level with each section comprised of around 25-30 students. On the administrative side however, there are about 30 teachers, most of which attend the same meetings every Tuesday, eat the same food every lunch time, and see each other after almost every 45 minutes as we go from one class to the next.

Unfortunately, this group of teachers never stays the same for a long time. You see every year, a couple or more leave and get replaced by new ones. Even as early as now, I’ve already heard goodbyes from some of them.

So for now, although it pains me to say this, I’ll say goodbye… All that I wish for them is that they find whatever it is that they’re looking for. Actually, may we all find whatever we’re looking for, for that matter. Whatever it is (money, fame, glory, fulfillment, etc.) And to my friends / co-teachers heading for greener pasture, it was a pleasure and an honor working with you guys! So long mates! Goodbye friends… for now!