The alarm from my cell phone awakened me, telling me it was already 6:00 AM.
I have worked full-time as a search engine optimization specialist for almost six months. I slept after doing my usual early morning chores as an online writer.
I love working in the early mornings. I wrote articles and built links from 3:00 AM.
After almost two hours of pounding on my laptop and finishing my second article, I decided to stretch on the rattan sofa and catch some sleep.
When the alarm sounded, I stirred, quickly got up, and shut down my laptop. I had to wash and clean Ted. Somebody wanted to see him at 7:00 AM that day.
Meet dear old Ted
Ted came to stay with us in September 2009. For over a year, we enjoyed his company, an ever-trustworthy and loyal companion.
Despite his old age, Ted never let us down except for a few occasions beyond his control.
Who’s Ted? Before you become too puzzled, I would like to introduce Ted.
Ted is the name of the Blue Gray 1992 Toyota Corolla that we bought from Dr Melvin Mangana. It’s not hard to name our first family car because the license plate number reads TED 862.
How Ted joined our family
Our daughter started going to Nursery class in 2009. We observed that almost every month, she had bouts of asthma.
Then we learned she’s allergic to pollen and dust. Also, she was pretty affected by the noonday sun. Their Nursery class was dismissed at noon.
When Melvin and I talked, he mentioned in passing that he was selling his old car because he was getting a newer one. I expressed my need for a vehicle to ferry our daughter to school and home.
Melvin recalled having difficulty bringing his children to Kindergarten because he was driving a bike. He told me he was happy to let me have Ted, so I won’t experience what he went through.
Realizing my need and his concern for my daughter’s welfare, he and his wife, Mila, agreed to sell their car to us.
The great blessing is that I got Ted from them through a “payable-when-able” scheme.
As an employee of Central Philippine University and with my salary, I could only afford to buy an old car.
My family and I thank Dr. and Mrs Melvin Mangana for sharing Ted. Ted came at the right time.
He became Jadyn’s service in attending school and the Kid Zone at the University Church. Ted provided comfort and safety for Jadyn and the rest of the family.
Ted played a significant role in building our family life
For over a year that Ted stayed with us, he played an essential role in making our family. He would take us to places where our family could fellowship and bond.
Ted also bore witness to our family dynamics, which are familiar to any family. These included arguments, quarrels, and scolding.
Whenever things are intense and stressful, Ted’s facility enables us to drive around to find a better place to chill out.
When my younger brother Ivan died, Ted served us faithfully as we arranged many things for the burial. His fully tinted windows provided the needed privacy for sadness and tears.
The many long road trips to Ajuy, my wife’s hometown, were an excellent time for us to be together. Imagine being inside Ted’s four-door compartment for two hours.
More than the laughter, the food, and the countryside scenes we share along the way are the sentiments and dreams hatched. These trips with Ted are valuable and memorable.
Despite his old age, he never had any major mechanical failure. He carried us through many near or far, light or heavy trips.
We love Ted, but we have to let go of him.
After wiping the last wet part of Ted’s hood, I summoned my wife and daughter to come.
We took the time to take pictures with Ted. His new owner was coming that morning and taking Ted with him.
We love Ted but must let go of him because we need a bigger vehicle, possibly a van, to carry our family belongings.
We were also leaving CPU and had to vacate the house on the campus where we stayed for six years.
My wife and I resigned from Central Philippine University because we could no longer bear the persecution we were going through.
My wife, hired as Assistant Professor in August 2007, was reclassified as a staff member through a mere personnel action notice from the Human Resources office.
In my case, the administration, under the leadership of Dr. Ted Robles, diminished my salary without prior information or explanation.
We love Ted, but we must let go of him because we need to go somewhere where truth and justice prevail.
Thank you, our dear old Ted, for serving us faithfully for over a year.
As our first family car, Ted will forever remain in our memories.
Hi Jonan, hope you remember me and our discussions on your blog after you left CPU for New Zealand. I told you that you are now in a better place. Glad to read your story regarding Ted. “Gone but not forgotten.” I am so happy for you and what you have achieved since. Continue your good work. God bless you and your family.
Yes, I remember our discussions and most of all your encouragement. Thank you for appreciating the post about our car “Ted”. Trusting God’s guidance and for all that I do and achieve I give all the glory and honor to our God Almighty. God bless you and your family too. Thank you.
Fantastic Jonan a real storytelling skill there – I have a writing skill too. And I think I’ve had hard times – yeah right !!! More power to God for bringing us BOTH through!!!
Hello Pastor Jonan,
People who look forward gracefully, but look back (a bit) gratefully will always live life happily! What a great symbolic story. Regards!
Thank you boss plus my heartfelt gratitude for your support as colleague and friend during my turbulent last days at CPU.
what happened to you at CPU happens everyday at work where you have higher-ups who dont even have balls to tell you frankly. i dont blame them because they achieved their high positions by moving paper on their desk and also kissing *sses along the way. then they duck for cover behind the same god we implore to help us while they are persecuting us. god in all his honesty and grace will have to deal with them sometime in the future. meanwhile keep moving and never look back but always remember.
Thank you for the advice Freddy. Just remembering and smiling how the Lord God took care of us as we moved on and keep moving forward.
Jonan, what a good story. I can empathize with letting go of something/someone special, but growth does follow, as you have discovered. Wherever life takes you, enjoy the journey, and carry with you the good memories, encouragement, love and hope that will make the next step even more fruitful. May God bless and keep you always. We are here for you.
Thank you Ma’m Pearl for your inspiring words. Most of all thank you for reading the post and posting a comment. I surely missed our interactions while you were at the forefront of overseas alumni affairs. I know that like me you have experienced many transitions in life and I believe that indeed, growth does follow. Thank you for being there for me. Give my regards to Linzy!
…….letting go of someone/something is heavy in our heart, but letting go someone/something for the good of everyone lightens up your heart!………your story brought tears in my eyes! ……AMEN, AMEN to that……..more power and more blessings to you and you loved ones!
Thank you Barbara for reading my post and feeling how we felt. More power and blessings to you too. I had been through the worst in life and I’m happy to say that the Lord God Almighty has helped us through. In fact He blesses abundantly those who trust completely in Him.
migo, i hear the pain of letting go, especially something that have part of you and on various and significant occasions, i am saddened to know of the death of Ivan, this is first time info to me, i could imagine him as a jolly and pleasant person, and to mention, a very respectful one, Ivan never missed to address someone as Manong or Manang, sweet spirit.
as you let go, i trust as you do, that God will and is moving you to a “better place” where justice, contentment, blessings awaits, shalom!
Thank you for your thoughts about Ivan. Thank you for your prayers. We are now in a better place and we have attained the justice that we sought. God is good! Read my next post…thank you!
hi jonan, what an inspiring story you shared. i can feel what you’ve been through but God carried You all the way….i know that you and your family can surpassed these challenges in your life because you are in God’s hands…i salute you my friend….just keep your faith burning and i know there will be newer and bigger Teds that will come your way…new life, new challenge, new beginnings but as long as you’re in God’s way you’ll never go wrong. God bless always my friend.
I am greatly inspired by your thoughts and words Maricar. Thank you very much. I believe that it is your faith in God and what He can do that makes you say confidently that we will overcome. May I say that you are right about me and my family surpassing all the challenges. What is amazing, God provided much blessings, much more than we expected. We praise Him!
See…good on you Mate! You have already let go of TED! And it is a shame we are still stuck with him…hahahahaha
Mate, you are born to stick and to fight… When you are on justice side no one can defeat you. Thank you for being brave enough to post a comment here…hehehehe.
i do not know where to comment, so many news, truths, facts, memories flooding all over your blogpost… but one thing i know, when you move with God, we have this gigantic assurance that He has already poured out the blessings and provisions far beyond our plans and expectations.
Migo Jonan, we have not talked for more than 10 years… and that was a real long time… but i am sure you have been taught to play “close-open” when you were young… now its no longer a game, this is real life – its time to let go… and a time is coming when its time to receive…
Thank you Migo Jun for the encouragement. No one can prevent God’s provision…when His blessings rain, it pours. My next post will be about how God has carried us through.
Thank you for sharing Ted with us. It is an inspiring story. I saw the adventure that replaced it on your parking lot. What is its name Pastor? hehehe
We prayed for a bigger vehicle and God gave us a Revo… its name is “No Fear”….thank you for your comments. God bless you always Adrian.