FINAL JUNE NOTEBOOK

By: Elsie Sy-Niebar

 

FOR YEARS and YEARS, as I grow “physically older”, I’ve tried to snob the thought that, indeed, I am growing old. Telling myself, that, “Age is just a number. Until when I’m UP on the 7th or 8th steps, which let me forget where I put my cellphone or pair of eyeglasses or hearing aids I was holding a minute ago. Gone is the arrogant belief that “Age is just a number.”

YES, our dear Via Times Readers, realities which convinced me I am now a “Grand Old Lady” are: my need for a Caregiver who knows how to manipulate computers, cellphones, and similar tech-support which EVERYONE including five-year- old kids can do. But not me. Today, I now accept the FACT THAT I AM ALREADY A SENIOR CITIZEN who needs a companion to do everyday “small” tasks I used to do in a few minutes. As a matter of fact, I have a Caregiver over the last four years now.

Being a Widow without children, is another sad and lonely scenario in the life of Senior Citizens, like me. Accepting the FACT that I AM NOW AN OLD LADY, made me decide to GO BACK HOME to our dear Native land, the Philippines. where I will be surrounded by my Blood Family; where I can proudly claim: “I am a Grandma”!

Another fact which made me decide to GO HOME FOR GOOD to our dear Philippines, is my heart problem, which makes my heart palpitate. It’s scary. And Alone? I know WE all may “Go” anytime. However, I ask our dear Lord, to let me “go” with the presence of my blood relatives. HE said, “Yes. Go Home.”

So, my dear Friends in the Great USA, especially in Chicago, I AM BIDDING YOU ALL “GOODBYE NOW. I GIVE THANKS TO OUR DEAR LORD for the Happiness as well as the Anger and Sadness we’ve shared. Yes, I am going to miss you, my dear Friends, However, IT’S TIME FOR ME TO GO HOME TO MY FAMILY. Please pray for my wellness, so I will be able to continue helping the needy within the limits of the material and physical/health blessings which our dear Lord will Gift me.

In CHICAGO, my heart is indeed BROKEN to leave behind my “millions of friends” which according to the famous song “What is America to Me?” composed of people from “all faces and religions, that’s America to me.”

My heart is breaking when I think about our VIA TIMES FAMILY founded by a very strong-in-Faith and Hard work — Lady named MS. VERONICA LEIGHTON. So Faithful as a Dove in accomplishing all the challenges in what she plans to do and accomplish her vision. Veronica is one of my Earliest Friends in Chicago, when I came here on May 15, 1976. FORTY FIVE years ago TODAY. AMERICA is my Country longer than the years I’ve lived in the Philippines. My Native land. Where I am going to Come Home on this coming July 7th.

Today, I can proudly tell the World: I AM A FILIPINO. I AM AN AMERICAN!!!

In a few days, I will be flying Home to our dear Philippines. My Birthplace. But I am definitely NOT leaving behind my other Home: America, the Beautiful! As soon as I obtain my DUAL CITIZENSHIP in the PHILIPPINES, I will offer a THANKSGIVING MASS to give THANKS to the LORD for HIS BLESSINGS of giving me TWO BEAUTIFUL COUNTRIES AND THEIR PEOPLE, as my Brothers and Sisters-in-the-Lord. Amen.

In this last issue of my “NOTEBOOK” column which started when Ms. Veronica Leighton started VIA TIMES, I want to recognize all my friends for sending me their Prayers and Best Wishes for my “Coming Home” and Retirement in my/our beloved PHILIPPINES! MABUHAY ANG PILIPINAS! GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES. GOD BLESS AMERICA. MY HOME SWEET HOME. Amen.

Here’s “Prayer and Goodbye” Family note penned by my best Sisterin- the-Lord, and one of our Senior Elders in our FCPChurch.

June 8, 2021 To our dear Elsie, a sister in the faith: On behalf of your church family, Faith Community Presbyterian Church, we send our love and good wishes as you embark a new chapter of your life.

Seek first the Kingdom of God and all shall be added unto you. Draw near to Him as you start this life, embracing what is good of being back in the Philippines.

We pray that doors will be opened to you as you plan to continue serving our Awesome God, the Lord of Lords, our Sustainer, Redeemer and Friend. Listen to the Holy Spirit to give you the wisdom and guidance, that your plans are in accordance with His plans for you.

Our Lord Jesus, is with you, every step of the way.

We will miss you but we know we will see you again, when you visit “the Windy City of Chicago.”

Tonette Guatelara Geary (Senior Elder)

From the bottom of my heart, I am thanking everyone below for taking time to read my “Spiritual Heartbeat” short Message I always write on FACEBOOK’s feature corner titled “WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND.” I always share some short Spiritual Thoughts on that corner, which attract some Facebook Friends. I would like to THANK EVERYONE here, whose “best wishes and prayers” for my HOMECOMING AND RETIREMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES, raised my Joy and Inspiration towards my “Coming Home” after living a Blessfull Life (not in terms of material things but FAITH) in the GREAT UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, also MY HOME.

I LOVE YOU, ALL. FOR BEING SO THOUGHTFUL. MY LOVE ALSO GOES TO OUR VIA TIMES FAMILY, especially to our Boss, Ms. VERONICA BACATAN LEIGHTON MAURICIO, who, very sadly, just lost the Love of Her Life, her “Irog” or Sweetheart, the late Joe Mauricio. The Lord “called him to Come Home so suddenly, it was so traumatic and very devastating to Vero and her friends, like us. Please pray for Joe for the repose of his soul, and for Vero, to have emotional strength while coping for her devastating sadness. My WELL-WISHER FRIENDS:

JOSEPH LARIOSA

(Journalist/freelance writer: “ELSIE, PEACE and “HAPPINESS and LONG LIFE in the next Chapter of your JOURNEY!”

MARITESS ANSAY, M.D. Wishing for your continued good health Ate Elsie! We miss you here in Michigan. God bless you.”

CLARITA SANTOS:”CHICAGO will never be the same without you. Your leadership will be missed.”

DOREEN MAGBANWA CORIANA:”GOD bless you, Madam, and your decision. You’re doing the right thing. Always take good care of yourself and have fun in the beautiful and sunny Philippines!”

JOSELYN and DON AZARIAS) (Writer/Political Critic):”We’ll miss you, Manang Elsie! ”

EVELYN TOLLEDO: “HAVE a SAFE & wonderful Homecoming, Nanay! God bless your Mission to help some small churches in the barrios. I will miss you so much especially your nag nag nag when you think I’m overacting, LOL! I love you Nanay. Please come back to Chicago, soon. I miss you already. Love from your prodigal daughter.

CONRAD and NORMA MANANKIL:”You are going to love it there. Everything is within your reach. You will live like a Queen. You will have the world in your hand. Then you pause and say to yourself: “Why didn’t I do this before?” Stay healthy. Enjoy life and continue to be kind to others especially those in dire need. Wishing you well. God bless you.”

ANGIE SANTERO ROSERO:”Sister Elsie, I hate to see you go. We are going to miss you. But God plans that you have to go back to the place you came from. There’s no place like our dear Native land, the Philippines. I will pray for your good health, safety and guidance from Above. Take care. God bless you and so do I, Sister.”

PINA MUDLONG (been a Balikbayan for a few years with her late hubby, Maurice, who passed away a few months ago): “WELCOME back to the PHILIPPINES, ELSIE!!!

JULIE CHAVEZ: ” I hope we could meet before you leave, Tita. I miss you. Love you!”

VIDA & EFREN CATALLA: “Missing you already… see you in the Philippines

(To Vida and Efren: I’m very sad, due to Covid, we’ve not been able to feed some of Chicago’s Homeless like we did before when I was still working for the City of Chicago Department of Human Services. That was a heartwarming service we did which brought Tears of Joy to the Homeless folks, right? — Elsie, your Sis in Human Services.)

ROSALINA NEUBAUER: GOD BLESS YOU, AMEN, Tita Elsie. Take care. God loves and bless you always.”

LINDY TAN: “Take care, Nanay Elsie. We’ll definitely miss you. More Blessing po to your New Life in our beloved Nativeland!”

ARACELI A. SOMERA: “GOD be with you always. Stay healthy and well. Live your Gift of Life to the fullest. WE, your Friends Forever, will miss you.”

AMY BARBA DELFIN: “WE will miss you, Elsie.”

RICHARD DIESTERHEFT: “You will be missed, Elsie!”

NELDA OLAER: “I will miss you, Sister Elsie. Take care. God bless you, always.”

EDITH M. ARDIENTE: “Hi, Elsie! So glad that you are now getting ready to start on that real RETIREMENT in the Philippines which you have been dreaming of. But I know that Retirement for you will continue to be a “Journey” of doing good to others. Good luck, my dear Elsie.”

MEG ADVENTO: “Hello, Elsie. I’m so happy we’re CHICAGOan friends. In your heartwarming message about your Friends and Good Neighbors whom you will miss, indeed, it is really difficult to say goodbye. Hope you will feel better when you are together with your loving Family in the Philippines. We will always remember you.”

TERESITA LAGMAN TIANGCO: “We’ll be missing you, Ate Elsie. God bless you always. Take care, especially of your health.

TESS HERNANDEZ (Sister-in-the Lord at our church, FAITH COMMUNITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH}:”I am feeling so sad to know you are leaving us. We will miss you, Tita Elsie. God bless you, always. Enjoy God’s blessings in our Nativeland, the beautiul Philippines!”

The REV. DANNY ARCIAGA: “Elsie, you’re bound to the next Chapter of Your Life. I am proud of your decision to return to the Philippines, our Nativeland. The Lord will surely guide you in your transition to our Philippine Lifestyle. Please use your talents to serve some of our churches in the Philippines, particularly the ever-struggling small ones.”

DAVID RICKERT: “I’ve heard you are leaving our church to go back home to the Philippines. I feel very sad to see you go. God will take care of you.”

MARITESS VERIN WYNKOOP: “I will miss you, Tita Elsie. I thank God that you have been a part of my life even for a short time. God bless and take care of you, always.” (You can always touch base with me, even just to say “how are you”? You’re one of those caring “children of the Lord’ who extends help when you see a need. Keep it up. Love — Tita Elsie )

Dr VERONICA RAZON FERTIG: “Have a beautiful and wonderful life in the Philippines ‘Te Elsie. Take care and stay safe at all times. God bless you.”

RUDY URIAN (my Political Networking “Associate” and “Brother” in getting the American politicians RECOGNIZE the CONTRIBUTIONS of the ASIAN AMERICANS “make America Greater.”). “God bless you “Sestah” Elsie. Thanks for being one active advocate of our Asian American Political League which made some History and Legacies in America’s Nation Building. Love you, forever.”

VIRGINIA WATERSTRAAT: “Let’s continue to keep in touch.” SHELAH PADILLA: “God bless you, Ate Elsie. I hope we will see each other in Dumaguete City, someday.” (Just holler. I will come running…)

ART, Sr . and LOURDES NISPEROS: ” Elsie, knowing you, you will be missed in Chicago. God bless you.”

PETER PORR & SAN O, Co-Founders of Southeast Asia Center in Chicago: “Elsie, we know you’ve been longing to return ‘Home”… with mixed feelings. Thanks for all the goodness you’ve spread here in the United States of America. We’ll miss you.” (Thanks, Peter and San. You two, have helped me greatly in identifying the problems of our Asian American brothers and sisters, when I was working for the City of Chicago. You two were very much a part in achieving our Political Empowerment. (Elsie)

SUSAN FRANCISCO: “Take care, Tita. I know we’re gonna miss you. God bless you.”

CYNTHIA FLORES: “Dear Elsie, I will miss you very much. Good luck in your Retirement. I wish you happiness and contentment. We love you. (Thank you, Ninang. Cyndi is our Ninang, Godmother or sponsor in our 25th Wedding Anniversary when we retook our Marriage vows, the second time. Sadly, my beloved hubby, Dennis Niebar, was called by the Lord to “Come Home” a year after.

To my thoughtful Friends above who took their time to inspire me in me forthcoming “New Life” in my (or yours, too) Nativeland, thank YOU again for your wonderful wishes which help wipe away my sorrows about leaving CHICAGO, my hometown for 45 years. GOD BLESS CHICAGO. Especially to all my friends, I LOVE YOU ALL. Had I offended you, please forgive me. ‘TILL THEN. I’ll be back…to visit… one day. Amen.

“Crazy and on the-spot candid live drama” created and played by Elsie Sy-Niebar in loving memory of the late TV producer Joe Mauricio, “Best Half” of Veronica Leighton Mauricio, VIA TIMES editor/publisher.

Elsie enjoying her despedida party given by VT Publisher Veronica on her birthday. L-R: Liza Vasich, Violy Montoya, Elsie, Girlie and Veronica. Cheers and good luck!

Photo shows the Belated Birthdays and Despidida Party celebration hosted by retired PEPSI CO. FIL-AM employees held at the Chicken Ati-Atihan Restaurant in Niles, last Sunday, June 6. Seated at Left row are: Jocelyn Ho, birthday celebrant; Elsie Sy-Niebar, “despedida Honoree” for her “Homecoming to the Philippines” in early July; Gody and Dennis Alban. Right row are Ruben Salazar, President of “PYESTA PINOY CULTURALFOUNDATION” which at press time is inviting the community on June 12 to its PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY Celebration; Pia Natividad; Vilma Molina, birthday & “Homecoming” honoree, and Edmund Salazar, birthday celebrant who still works at PEPSI.