Since you bothered to even click and read this,
THANK YOU! (“,)
I know that in the hustle and bustle of whatever it is you (or I) do, it becomes tempting to breeze through these things instead of really reading them from start to finish.
However, because I will be asking you a huge favor, I feel the need to explain HOW IMPORTANT a project this is for us and HOW MUCH I NEED YOUR HELP.
For those of you who know me, you should know that I have a very soft spot for children. Children just have this magic ability to turn my scowl or frown into an “Ear to Ear” grin. Had I not made the choice to work in the family business, manage a side business, take post-graduate studies and still pursue theater, I would have committed to a full-time teaching job. But things have a way of falling into place, and in the words of Fr. Caluag,
“There are no accidents in God’s plans.”
I have spoken of the pits and lows that come with my job. I have also spoken of the comfort and light that can seep through whatever “darkness” that inevitably comes with it. Day after day, I see families come and go, dealing with their grief the best way they know how. And yet most of the time, in their sorrow and disorientation, they forget to pay attention to the children and help them cope. Often, I see these children screaming, crying, laughing and aimlessly running around the funeral home– some completely unaware, some slightly aware and some fully aware and yet deeply confused as to how they should cope with the experience of death.
With Miguel, 1 (at The Ascension Chapels by Arlington)
Children, no matter how young and unaware we think them to be, are affected by death. And they need a place or space that will allow them cope and express themselves—be it through drawing, writing, watching films or playing.
This room is also very important to us, (the Joses) as we lost a young member of our family a few years ago. Angelo was only a baby when he was lovingly welcomed back into heaven. It is in his honor and memory that we would like to put up the Play room. His brother, Pierre (who now resides in Canada), is currently in Manila and will grace the opening of the Play room.
It is in this regard that I’d like to enlist your help in putting up the play room. The tentative date for the opening is on May 30, 2011. For those who would like to donate materials for the room, please inform me through text or through Facebook. You can send me your addresses for pick-up, or I can send you either my home address or Arlington’s Address should you opt to deliver the donations instead. Some of the suggested items are as follows:
Reading Books, Coloring Books, Audio Books/Materials, Writing and Coloring Materials, VHS tapes, DVDs, VCDs, Music CDs, Play Mats (Letter Play Mats), Non-hazardous toys/objects, Play room decors, Tables & Chairs, “Fisher Price” Slides/Playhouses, or any other play pen accessories you can donate.
*Please feel free to suggest other items and to donate other materials not listed above.
For those who would also like to volunteer with the actual setting up, do not hesitate to call me! (I’d like to thank those that have already volunteered to donate toys for the room and to help set up!)
*After consulting with a Grief Counselor/Professor, it was suggested to me that I enlist help from those in the Psychology/Education field. I’d like to ask those who graduated from Psychology, or current Psychology students who are interested in volunteering. Please inform me if you have the time to meet up with me and are interested in helping out.
I AM SAB. 
You are doing a noble thing Sab and to remember your cousin Angel in this endeavor has put a tear in my eye. I thank you for doing this not only to heal our family but also to help other families heal through their grieving. I pray for the success of your latest project. Again, I thank you and good luck my dear!
Ninang Cars
Wow, this is definitely a great thing to do Sab. I would love to send some stuff over to you, if you want, although I probably won’t quite make it to the opening of the Playroom. Just email me and let me know the address. 🙂
Ninang Cars, thank you po!! Work at Arlington has given me a different way of seeing things, people and life. I’ve learned to make the most of whatever time I have. I hope that I get to open the room in time po! I’m so nervous but hoping for all the best! Miss you!
Alexa, please please do! Thank you very much! I’ll send you a personal message on FB. You can send it either to my house or the office, whichever’s more convenient for you. Or I can also pick it up from you. THANK YOU AGAIN, ALEXA! If you have friends/family members also who want to donate, tell me lang! Thank you! 🙂
this is such an awesome thing to do, and to dedicate it to angelo is especially touching. you and patrick and kids, i swear….he wants to be a teacher too!!