The Prodigal son has come home

This year's trip back home to Penampang, Sabah, Malaysia, has been very meaningful and I believe has a lot of impact to us all even though it was only 7 days. We were there from 17 to 23 Dec 2008, my family and I together with my sister-in-law and her daughter.

I wasn't actually planning on going home this year but when my sister Juliana mms me pictures of my mum and dad, I was so distraught at seeing them aged that I told my family we have to visit them. You see, my last impression of my parents were as of 6 years ago still imprinted in my mind then and seeing their photos this year was like a stab in my heart.

When we visited them 6 years ago my last impression of my parents then were as of 13 years since that time. Imagine my emotions when I reached home in Sabah and seeing how much my mum and dad have aged, tears were rolling when I saw my mum then.

Anyway, I have decided to visit them at least once or twice a year from now on. Later postings will detail some of the events and experiences during the 1 week stay. For now, enjoy some of the pictures.. (click for enlarged picture)

Home

Tg Aru Beach

Ride through the clouds towards Mt Kinabalu National Park

Christmas activity in Dongongon, Penampang

Group photo

Dad's proud catch from his own pond - patin fish, 3kg, for the great barbeque night..

My parents and their grand-daughters

Now, what's with the hand sign ???

The Christmas Exchange of Gifts

I could almost hear Christmas... I could almost feel like it... I know it's very near.. it's round the corner... it's.. it's.. **

..alas! Over here, it's always "could almost" but we can never really fully experience Christmas as in other countries where there's snow, where there's Nativity play on street corners, Santa's at every shopping centres, or hotels, subways, carolling at the central park, need I list all?

Every time the experience of Christmas season is played over TV, movies and documentaries it leaves a very dry yearning in my soul, the very same feeling when the 1st day of Christmas passed with the waking up the next morning wondering if yesterday was even Christmas! At least this is how Christmas is to me, year after year.

Spiritual aspect aside, among the physical aspect of Christmas, I have always love the giving of presents because, to me, it is this very fundamental outward act of Christmas love and sharing that makes Christmas so real and so touching. Even if it does not involve the exchange of presents, but simply buying stuff and giving it to someone would already fill my heart with so much joy, and my soul with so much warmth! Now only if I could work out the means..

Now comes the spiritual aspect - actually there is no spiritual aspect and physical or commercial aspect of Christmas. It's Mary's aspect because it is the day Jesus was born unto her into this world to heal everyone and to give hope to all who seek hope. Therefore, too, it is our aspect of Christmas because He came for us all, not for commercial purpose, nor self centered purpose, but for purpose of undying love that knows no bounds. No catch, no strings attached, but to return His love for us, that is all He requires of us. His gift to us, His undying Love, and our gift to Him, our hearts. That, surely, is the Great Exchange of Gifts!