By Ma. Isabela Agawin

Third Year – St Bonaventure, Lourdes College, Macasandig, Cagayan de Oro City

I love it every time my mom prepares my favorite sandwich for breakfast. Just the taste of the sweet orange marmalade that combines with the creaminess of the butter and the softness of the bread, gives me the perfect start to my day. Every bite of my mom’s scrumptious sandwich brings me comfort, love and happiness.

You know, I would describe peace like the making of my mom’s sandwich. I must spread peace like jam to the world. But first, I must be at peace with myself. How? By accepting and forgiving myself. My loving me, the way my parents love me, the way Jesus loves me. Then, like jam, I spread it evenly on the bread and share my sandwich with others. When others taste it, they too will love its sweetness. I’m sure they will have their fill and soon will make their own sandwich, not necessarily an orange-butter marmalade one like mine. It could be anything that comes from the heart.

Yet, peace is contagious but evasive. Yes, it can easily be spread and shared, but it can also disappear into thin air, especially if it is sought out by wrong hearts. Sometimes, the simplest of hearts are the ones lucky to have peace. They are the ones easy to please, willing to forgive and forget. They are the ones who accept people the way they are and not the things they possess.

In my own way, I start by forgiving and accepting others, and loving them the way they are. I give my sandwich with a smile, with love. Shall we make a sandwich together?