I am glad the the UN-brokered ceasefire in the Lebanon-Israel conflict seems to be succeeding. We are a small part of this world news.

Melanie, my younger sister is in Lebanon. She left Jones in search of a greener pasture as they say more than 2 years ago. She is there doing a little sacrifice for a better future of their five children. She was not here when our dear Inay passed away. She cried a lot and she wanted to come home to see our dear Inay.

The past few weeks as the war was raging, we were spending precious moblie phone calls just to check on her. She is lucky than the rest that her employer has a house in the northern area of Lebanon. This is the safer area as the fighting is happenning in the southern area where Lebanon shares a boundary with Israel. She is more than luck that her employers are treating her well. And they are more than ever protective of her. Consider these recurring dialogues: "Di ka pa ba uuwi?" "Anong gagawin ko diyan? Marami kami dito na Pilipino na ayaw umuwi kasi wala namang trabaho diyan." Indeed! One of those heroes bringing in precious dollars in our economy.

Early this year, her eldest (and only) daughter got pregnant. It is not good news especially if your mother is sacrificing a lot to bring you to school and hopefully you will have a better future. And so the family consencus was for her to have the marriage ceremony, stop schooling for a while (I hope she can go back and finish her teaching course!). Marry, they did one day last June.

And while the cruel war was raging, Queencel gave birth, by ceasarian, to a big, baby boy. Lovy, her husband, decided not to inform Melanie when they were in the hospital with Queencel. "Nerbiyoso yun manong. Huwag muna nating ipaalam." I agreed.

When Melanie will come home, after her three year contract which she intends to complete, next year, our Inay is not there anymore to meet her. But she will be met by a lovely apo!