Bahaghari* (Rainbow)

Day 1

I love rainbows. They are a sight to behold. Ever since I was a child I have always been mesmerized by the beauty of rainbows. When I see one, I feel the tightening of my chest like when I see a loved one that I haven't seen for a long time. Oh, if I can just hug the rainbow! I smile, close my eyes and feel peace and happiness embrace me. I am thankful and hopeful. When I first read in the bible the story of how the first rainbow came about, rainbows became even more significant for me. I am so happy I live in the Philippines where rainbows show up many times in a year (Sometimes several times in a month!).

I've seen the end of the rainbow. When I was a little girl, I always dream of finding that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. When I finally saw it though, I was transfixed. I was speechless. I forgot that there was a pot of gold. I was completely shocked that I was actually seeing what people said was impossible to see. I was a teacher in a school in Cebu City then. My class just ended and I was going to the faculty room. While I was walking along the hallway, I noticed, from the corner of my eye, that there was a rainbow. I turned my head and there it was, a beautiful rainbow with one end resting gracefully on the school playground. Years later, that exact location was turned into a swimming pool. Did anyone see a pot of gold? Or does the pot of gold only exist for as long as the rainbow is still there? I never got the chance to dig that pot of gold, but seeing the end of the rainbow was a golden moment.

I've seen double rainbows. Seeing a rainbow makes my day sooo much better. Imagine how it made me feel seeing two rainbows at the same time! I had the chance to witness this three to four times - and each time is exceptionally special. One time, I was watching the sunset in our new house in Quezon when suddenly, there was a rainbow! And slowly, the second rainbow started to form below it. It was magical! I started yelling for my son to come out and get the chance to see it too.

A rainbow is an emotional sanctuary for me. When I am troubled, I look up and recall the last rainbow I've seen. Then I remember that the rainbow is a reminder of God's promise and it renews my faith and hope.

*bahaghari - rainbow (literal translation: king's [loin]cloth)