Not forgetting her proud Filipino roots, Lynnet Antonio-Go has built a life in Canada integrating her being a Filipina at heart and the many shared values of the True North. Lynnet lives in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia with her husband Albert and son Justin.
Pheonix
A Haiku by Justin Go Saint, March 2004
A young bird flies high
It reaches the azimuth,
Yet its wings hold strong
Through the sky it soars
Touching all majestic heights
Leaving golden trails
The fiery wings fade
Deep in its ashes it sleeps
A new beginning.
Our son, Justin, wrote this haiku 18 years ago to signify the start of our Canadian life, a new life that was not in our family’s plan but the grand design of the Omniscient. Looking back now, I remember the mixed emotions I felt when we finally flew to our new home. I felt sadness at bidding my parents adieu. My siblings and I had a group hug like there were no tomorrow. The other extreme was a feeling of butterflies in my stomach with giddiness and joyful anticipation, giving thanks that we were finally flying to our new home. I smile now at those memories, a gracious smile. Yes, my son’s haiku described it perfectly: we journeyed to Canada with golden trails behind us made up of our hopes and dreams that our life in Canada would be successful and happy for the three of us. And when ‘the fiery wings fade, deep in its ashes it sleeps and the new beginning starts’, it was time to pull up the bootstraps and buckle down to work. Eighteen years and counting in taking part, in our little way, in what shapes Canada as a country is one that we are proud of. Life continues to give us a lot of new beginnings, some because of challenging and painful situations, but we always try to keep the faith. He has proven, time and again, that no matter what, He holds us in the palm of His hand, and we will be safe. No matter how difficult, always trying to hold on, never letting go and always trusting in His perfect time. Justin is now in his mid-30s, and he is continuously carving his own niche. Albert and I are in our mid-60s, and I smile, a mischievous smile this time because Albert continues to enjoy working and driving his semi-truck. God willing, if he continues to be in good health, giving up the keys to his truck, his hands off his truck’s steering wheel, and retirement are not yet on the horizon. As for me, I am in the “stop and time to smell the roses” stage in my life. Life is more relaxed and quieter now that I can bask in the glow of a full moon as it slowly glides across the night sky. Enjoy the early morning melodious symphony of birds’ trills, watch with wonder as eagles soar to the heights of the beautiful blue Vancouver sky and feel the energy of the magnificence of the snow-capped North Shore mountains as I do my morning meditation and exercises. These are some of the simple pleasures that feed my soul at this stage in my life. I am able to feel the grace and serenity of a full and meaningful life. And with much love in my heart, I will always be grateful and thankful to Albert, to Justin and to my God. I smile a grateful and thankful smile. Light and Love! Pax!
