I mentioned couple days ago about "unexpected oppurtunities." Yesterday, I had an "unexpected opportunity with an unexpected friend." For the first time in eight or nine years, I finally saw Janice again,my old bestfriend from junior high school.
For all of you who doesn't know, I joined a gang when I was 13 years old and the person who knew me was as a gangster and was also one, was Janice. We were bestfriends in junior high. Jang is one of the few bestfriends I had growing up. She is one of the three BESTFRIENDS I had in my entire life. And up to this day, I still put her on that prestigious list of friends.
You might be wondering how we saw each other. Well, eight years ago, Janice or Jang and I were involved with one of the biggest Asian gangs here in LA. We were friends for a long time but it was one of those things that we felt like exploring so we were initiated to get into a gang. I am sure we all know how gangs are...violence and shooting and trouble, drinking, smoking...you name it. But for us, it was a sense of belonging and at that time, rebellion. But to cut the story short, Jang was sent home to the Philippines because fo that same gang and we parted ways. I also moved to another school. We kept in touch through letters and phonecalls throughout the years but for some strange reason we lost touch.
I know Janice knew my address. But our house burned down two years ago and we had to relocate for the construction of our new house. Unaware, I found out that Janice was going in and out of the United States for vacation mainly last year and this year. And every time she would come here, she would look for me and search for me but no address were showing or my telephone numbers are unlisted upon my request also. Recently, I just went to the Philippines for vacation and all the time I was there, I was searching for her. I looked everywhere there but we couldn't find her number. Unfortunately, the number that she gave me was disconnected. I felt hopeless. I thought I lost her forever. And it's funny, she felt the same way.
Rossini, a close friend of Janice and I, also our former classmate from junior high, works as a medical assistant at some clinic here in LA. Coincidently, Janice and her mother was referred to that same clinic because Jang needed a physical examination. I don't know how it exactly went but Janice noticed Rossini first and right then and there, Janice asked for my number. But Rossini lost my number. The only contact she have of me is my email which she knows I rarely check. But she took chances anyway of emailing just in case....because Jang is leaving in four days. Rossini figured WE NEED to see each other even just once before she leaves.
Strange thing is, as soon as I got home yesterday from school, there was this urge for me to check my email. So I did and I got hold of Rossini's email with Jang's mom's phone number. I was so excited I took the number down and called Rossini right away. And I got hold of her and we talked and she updated me with stuff about Janice.
The excitement is killing me. I wanted to talk to Janice already! There was this thrill. Immediately after I was able to talk to Jang, I took her address down. I hung up the phoen and headed to her place with Steve. We were looking for the place but we can't find it. We ended up going to Rosini's pad and I saw Eric there, too, another, one of the many people I went to elementary with back in Philippines. Woa, what a small world! Luckily, Jang was still on the phone Sini and so I asked her where the address was and confirmed it again.
So anyway....WE SAW EACH OTHER!!!!!! again after eight long years. My gosh, you can't imagine how glad I was to see her. It's that urge, all that seeking for each other, the painstaking searching...it's such a relief! I can't even explain it. Maybe our first hug explained it all. The long, almost teary, tight, and squeezable hug....the hug we used to bid each other good bye every time we part ways on the everyday basis when we use to hang out then.
We had our endless conversation...the updates... carreerwise, she is a senior business management major; lovelifewise, she's happily taken. Imagine both of us, the used to be loced out, ghetto gangster girls,now grew up to be successful young ladies or independent women in our respected areas. I feel like the conversation was not even enough to replace all the years we missed each other. She only have three more days left to stay here. I was asking her to extend her stay but she said she needs to go home because it's enrollment there. I promised her I will go home to the Philippines maybe this December or next March. I will see her again tonight. I am so excited. I am still excited to see her and just reminisce and enjoy the few days she has left to stay. I can't wait for more chitchats!
My Lord works in miracles I can't explain. My friendship with Janice and Rossini and the long wait for us to see each other was just one of the many "unexpected things" He has planned for me. With Glenn's loss, In return, I gained a stronger and maturer, and newly rebuilt friendship with Janice that will last us for a lifetime. I really do not believe in destiny...but with what just happened...with the reunited friendship I had with Jang, for once, I really thought destiny played a huge part for us to see each other again because of all the circumstances we have been.
Jang's mom said this when I was talking to her last night, "The Lord destined you guys to see each other again." And I smiled...and silently uttered, " I believed so."
I truly cherish my friendships with people.It's one thing that I really take care of and treasure. But it has to be reciprocally given. I think all of the three old friends that looked for me and thought I was special, proves that. It tells me I must really be a good friend to them for them to look for me and search for me. The three bestfriends I had in my life rebuilt their friendships with me this month and last month. One, with Maff with my trip to Vegas in Spring Break, second, Marie, searching me all over 411 just to be friends again, and then last, Janice who will be 5000 miles away from me in 3 days and yet, we manage to keep our friendships alive and strong. These are what I call TRUE FRIENDSHIPS....being able to survive all the odds and storms in our llives alone or together and yet, we still enjoy the rainbow and look back at the mementos life has given us.
SPIRITUAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Thank you, Lord, for giving me Maff, Marie and now, finally, Janice...my three BESTFRIENDS.
posted by pinay freestyle @ 9:10 AM
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