Yes, it is almost time to go back home again. It is not easy but I have to face it. First to say good-bye to my mom is always the most difficult thing to do. She had high blood pressures these past few days. I told her to relax, I will be fine and I will go back to see her again. In words it is easy but deep inside it is always a heavy feeling. You always wanted to curl back to where the security is. My mother will and always provides that.

My siblings said the vacation was too short. My nieces have grown. My brother's kids are getting bigger. My second brother is bragging of his four kids -- all graduated from college and are all working. One, actually just passed the bar exam. I have a niece who is now a lawyer. Another milestone for the family.

Things are still difficult here in the Philippines. Many suffer from economic difficulties and my family is not exempted from it. If only I can do something for all of them. This is the reason why I think of them many times as calamities and other factors make their lives more difficult. This is where I say to myself, I leave it all to God.

I made my last visit to the street children's house and said their Sunday mass. They are doing another fund raiser for the project. From the humble beginnings of 18 kids, they are now 800 in total. Yet I probably have to learn the attitude of Fr. Rocky when he said " if God wants me to win the lottery to solve the problem He will, but I have not won yet so I will continue to relly in the goodness of others making me humble to know that this is God's work and I am here to do what He want's me to do".

I am slowly packing my things and looking at the baggage that I have. I know that our lives will always be on the move. Like last Sunday's gospel brought home the message -- I won't be able to move on if my "baggage" is too heavy. My back pain will alway remind me of that. There will be re-adjusting to do when I return to the states. There will be other things to look forward to, but it is always good to have some time to bond with all the people that you treasure in your heart for they will always be my inspiration.

I will see you soon and I know that my heart will always be in "my home". When we say hello expect to say goodbye.

Fr. Aloy