By Philip Suzara
Pondering… as I sit here at the edge of my mythical life pond.
One can see many things happening at the edge of life’s pond, as in any pond. Decisions are made there, life changing decisions, defining moments… to get in the pond, or not. The pond is encircled by its edges in different forms and kinds: straight, jagged, rough, rocks, pebbles, sand, soil, or mud. Very much like people. No matter the differences we have, we all belong there… around the life pond, inside, outside, at the edge, but there.
I have often been asked about the little rubber duckie mascot that accompanies my articles in my column. I call my articles my “Ponderings” and the ponderings all happen in, on, by and around the pond. You’d probably also see ducks and many other animals either visiting, or living there.
So, there you have it, the rubber duckies, the pond, and ponderings!
I have since grown a special affection for rubber ducks after my dear grand-daughter, Anya, who was about 5 years old then, “left” her little magic princess duckie in the bathtub in my room when their whole family spent their vacation here from their home in Virginia, one summer about eight years ago. They had left for home after about two weeks of enjoying relatives, food and sights of our dear Pilipinas. I called up my daughter to tell her that Anya had left her rubber duckie in my bathtub and she replied that Anya had actually left it for me – I was so touched with the thoughtfulness and gesture of Anya. That all started my fascination with the rubber duckies; and after I posted it on my fb wall, my friends took fancy to it and sent me some to add to my “collection”—and, as they say, the rest is history!
There is some peculiarity with this collection of mine, I have this self-imposed discipline not to buy a single rubber duckie for myself – even if I found a beautiful one staring at my face asking me to take him/her home with me.
A rubber duckie collection, in my heart and mind, is not a function of how much money you have, but of how many people love and care about you
Rubber duckies are definitely fascinating; to wax philosophical about it, it is akin to smelling the flowers… with the rubber duckies, one is transported to another time and dimension, and provided a brief respite from the chaos, violence, and hurt that humans foist on our fellow human beings.
Beneath the armour of that brave and sturdy warrior is a person who was once an innocent child… once upon a not so distant time.
Perhaps, through them, windows to a time of pure innocence may once again be opened so that positive vibes and feelings are exuded and resurfaced. Now is a good time for any of us to seek that secret tunnel which would bring us back to that age of innocence – when we were happiest; no sophistry, no complication, no issue, ,no hatred, no war, just pure innocence, joy, love, and sharing.
There are so much serendipity and Celestine happenings around here, now – almost magical, if not so!
What a beautiful tapestry life weaves for us.
Our lives are intertwined with friends, family, and wonderful strangers from different places, periods, and memories – all wonderful treasures from all walks of life and from all over. These magical moments have been triggered by the little rubber duckies – with what meanings, emotions and memories they evoke in us. I go back to my note and find that I am continually validated by what these rubber ducky moments unfold.
This is my story with my little rubber duckies and their rubber duckie moments.
Come, sing, ponder the insights, and enjoy the innocence of Sesame Street’s Ernie and his rubber duckie!
“Well, here I am in my tubby again And my tubby's all filled with water and nice fluffy suds And I've got my soap and washcloth to wash myself And I've got my nifty scrub brush to help me scrub my back And I've got a big fluffy towel to dry myself when I'm done But there's one other thing that makes tubby time the very best time of the whole day And do you know what that is? It's a very special friend of mine my very favorite little pal
Rubber duckie you're the one You make bath time lots of fun Rubber duckie I'm awfully fond of you
Rubber duckie joy of joys When I squeeze you, you make noise Rubber duckie you're my very best friend it's true
Oh, every day when I make my way to the tubby I find a little fellow who's cute and yellow and chubby
Rub-a-dub-dubby Rubber duckie, you're so fine And I'm lucky that you're mine Rubber duckie, I'm awfully fond of you
Hey, rubber duckie, would you like me to scrub your back with my little nifty scrub brush? You would be okay, how's this? Hey, you want me to scrub behind your ears? Oh, I see you don't have any ears, do you? Well, how about your tummy? Scrub his little duckie tummy Oh, he's ticklish oh-hoo
Oh, every day when I make my way to the tubby I find a little fellow who's cute and yellow and chubby
Rub-a-dub-dubby! Rubber duckie, you're so fine And I'm lucky that you're mine
Rubber duckie, I'd like a whole pond of Rubber duckie, I'm awfully fond of you
Songwriters: Jeffrey A Moss
Pondering, as I sit here at the edge of life’s pond.
n.b.
It is my Mom’s birthday today and she is so fondly remembered.
She was a very loving and strong human being; who, together with my father, cared for and nurtured 12 of us siblings into adulthood. She continued gallantly and heroically by her lonesome for nine years after joining my father who had gone on ahead.
God’s love had gifted all of us with great mothers – we all had the best.
Mine, definitely, was!
Philip Suzara
Creature of God. Child of the Universe. Global Citizen. Lover of Life. Freedom Fighter. Agent of Change. Lone Wolf. Occasional Consultant for Strategic Communications.
