ABC STARS Inspires

Doctor Matthew O'Donnell was in a somber mood. Times like that he abhors being the bearer of sad news, specially, when it comes to a newborn baby. He stammered as he broke the information gently to the father. "Mr. Hughes, your daughter, apparently, after we conducted tests and double-checked... well, she has a sense of hearing disability." Isaiah Hughes' world crumbled. He was exhausted after a concert tour across Europe. And then this. Dr. O'Donnell quickly added that he should not despair and explained that there is a procedure that can be done that might give his daughter a chance to be able to hear. He elaborated about cochlear implant. Dr. O'Donnell saw Isaiah's face brightened, full of hope and joy. The doctor told him that when she is ready they will do the procedure. When Amanda celebrated her fifth birthday she was ready. She had the operation a week after. The following day Isaiah Hughes performed at a concert.  A...

Ascension Press  and  Ascension Presents   in collaboration with  Inspires   give you this riveting magnum opus.‎.. Condensed Reflection by James Z. Carpio The awe-inspiring wonder begins at the moment of conception of an infant in the Mother's womb—The Gift of Life, so fragile —from then on the celebration continues.

She paused, breathed deeply, and closed her drooping-deep-set-eyes. Her reflection seemed dreary, bleak but she just couldn't — not a single drop. For seventy two years, she has been struggling. Suffering became the very air she needed to live. For how many more years must she endure?

Reminiscing, "Rain on the Roof", taught on piano by my mother Please stay, your pitter-patter makes me matter I do not mind even if it takes you a few days If you want you could last until midnight with only the moon and stars' rays I am glad there is no need for a rain dance In this tropical part of the world, you are taken for granted, not a glimpse nor a glance I missed you in lands where you were shy, and stayed for just minutes But here, if I ask, sometimes, you appear, sporadically, in pieces and bits As long as you don't intensify into a storm Then we'll be fine, and no remorse will form Today is the final day of the year, indeed, you are a shower of blessings May the new one — bring joy, love, and peace—as we exchange hugs and wonderful greetings! photo credit: S.A. Street Photographer Umbrella Man via photopin (license) License: (license)

Dearest Noel, Jim, Pablo, Philip, Anlu, Connie, Che, Nonnoy, Bobby, Marivic, Popon, Jay, Boy, and Tess: For a long time now, your friends have been telling you that there is no Santa Claus. That Santa is no one else but Papa. There is that song, "I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus underneath the mistletoe last night." But, there is that other song, too—"he knows when you've been bad or good; so be good for goodness sake ." If Santa Claus is no one else but the fathers, then there would be millions of Santa Claus throughout the world. And how about those families where their fathers are no more? Is there no Santa Claus for them? And as you grew older, you must have wondered why I always answered, yes, there is a Santa Claus. Let's solve the mystery: Why don't we see the real Santa Claus? Because He is a spirit. If He is a spirit, then how many Santa Claus are there throughout the world? Only one. Does He personally go to all the families ...

Ascension Press and Ascension Presents   in collaboration with Inspires   give you this riveting magnum opus.‎.. Condensed Reflection by James Z. Carpio That nostalgic feeling and unique predilection we—or most—experience during what many consider as one of the most joyous, vibrant occasions of the year—Christmas. We remember/reminisce cherished-childhood-memories of gifts under the adorned tree for instance. It is bittersweet, though, when we become adults. Our lives became complicated for the most part, the innocence and worry-free/carefree world we came to know when we were young, vanished when we realized that, truly, morose reality bites.

Engineer Alexander Cole has always been predictable, logical, and methodical. But never been spiritual. Until... The chauffeur called in sick for the day. He had no choice but to drive the sedan to take his wife to her A.A. meeting. His wife, Patty, has been going to the meetings for almost 24 years now. She is doing fantastic. Exceptional even. That he was elated about. The spacious, cold room with high ceiling was filled with people from different walks of life. About forty or so. Alex was, metaphorically, uncomfortable. He was fidgety and sweaty. He decided to tune out everything as each alcoholic updated the other group members and the medical moderator. Alex noticed a blind man being assisted by two female companions, as he sat on his designated chair. He heaved a heavy sigh and felt profoundly sorry for the old fellow. It was a bit tolerable to say the least, as there was only a glass partition separating the Alcoholic Anonymous area to a full a...