This story is written in memory of someone. A person long ago that keeps on searching for something valuable. He is not searching for something he doesn’t have. He is looking for something he already had from the beginning. Confused? Let me tell you something about him.

He has a lot of questions in his mind. “Who are the people you call brother or sister? Who are they? Are they just people older than me or even younger than me? Are they merely people connected to me by blood, or are they more than that? I embrace them as my siblings even though sometimes I feel that they don’t treat me the same way as I do. What if my search leads me to fear and hinders me to show myself? What if they reject me? Will they pick me up when I fall flat on the ground? Can I rely on them? Can I trust them? Why do I need to search for them in a way that I have to reach for them? Why don’t they reach for me instead or am I just blind to see it? Do I need them when I am alone? But why do I still feel empty deep inside?”

His mind was full of questions. He still struggles to find the answers until he could not breathe. It consumed him and left him emotionally and spiritually exhausted.

Days passed by like sand in an hourglass. Someone sat beside him and asked, “Why are you still asking these questions? Why are you gripped by fear?” He asked this stranger, “Who are you? You do not know me.” The man continued on and said “I am your brother not in blood nor in flesh but in spirit. I embraced you even though you did not treat me the same way as I did. I do not mind your childish ways. I have accepted you even before you were born. I will always guide you so that you won’t fall. You were never alone. I was always by your side though you may not see me. I talk to you but you never listen, regardless, I am here patiently waiting for you till you hear me. You can live alone but living with somebody around you can make your life more fulfilling. I will always be here reaching out to you until the day comes that you will notice me and accept me as your brother. When that day comes you will never feel empty.” Then, the man repeated these words. “I am your brother not in blood nor in flesh but in spirit”.

He suddenly woke up. “Was that a dream?” he said to himself. He felt a warm embrace coming from behind. The big hug came from his younger brother who said to him, “Wake up sleepy head you’ll catch a cold here” He showed his little brother a smile like no other. Then they both walked inside the house.

The next morning was wonderful. Seeing his brothers and sisters in front of him, he was a little bit scared. Still, he kept in mind what the stranger in the dream told him. Full of hope in his heart, he took one step forward and said, “I may not be the best but I am willing to give it all. I may act childish sometimes and may not be smart with regard to certain things. I may be poor and lack things to brag about, yet I am willing to stay in the background, reaching out, waiting, for I know I am no longer alone. I have a brother beside me guiding me to you. I have brothers and sisters neither by blood nor flesh but in spirit.”

His journey in life never ended. It was only just beginning. He was able to find the answers to his questions although finding the answers is not enough. The real challenge was how he can apply them. Most importantly, he learned that we may not be brothers and sisters in blood or flesh, we are still connected in SPIRIT.

We also need to learn that it is best to keep our hands locked together. If by any chance someone is losing his/her grip and can no longer hold on, we should share our strength and hold on to each other’s hands much tighter. There are more people who we need to reach out to and it would be best if we start within ourselves.

The man in the dream visits those who are lost and those who are in search. He knocks on your heart. He is your brother. Waiting for you. Reaching out to you. Talking to you. Stop and listen. Are you listening? He may be talking to you right now, whispering to you. Can you hear Him? Listen.

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