ZAINA VIVECA---BEAUTIFUL LIFE

by: Norberto Betita

About 9:00 o’clock in the morning I received a text message from my daughter Kathleen Beth that the level of pain is already increasing. At home with her was only her 4-year old daughter Jeliene Zaffera. 

My wife went to the Temple to attend two sessions from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, confident that Kathleen’s husband Jesle could take care of her while on day off. Jesle conveyed Mama to the Temple then proceeded to his office for an examination. The two adults who are supposed to be on guard for Kathleen’s delivery were out.

I immediately texted her to contact her mother-in-law and Jesle as I am sure that she could no longer contact Mama in the Temple. I was kind of worried while at the same time so excited that our eighth grandchild will be born soon. As she continued to send messages to me my concern was heightened. She has been in my prayer at early dawn, but somehow my faith kind of shirks and shrinks because of the underlying situation. Their rented apartment is atop a hill and taxi route is far plus the fact her 4-year old daughter will be a problem than a help. I was relieved when she texted that Jesle was already home. Immediately they went to the maternity clinic. Jesle continued to communicate with me until about past 12:00 noon I finally received a message that Kathleen had already given birth and the infant was in his hand. I was overjoyed and all anxieties and worries vanished. How I wished to enfold and embrace the little child in my arms or give her a hug and a tender kiss. But we are seas and islands apart.

When Kathleen sent me a message with the word “success”, I felt my prayer was heard and answered. Mama was supposed to be with her as an errand, but she was in the temple to fill her spiritual longings assured that Jesle would be there for her in case of emergency. I told Kathleen that while Mama was inside the Temple, the Lord sent guardian angels as her substitute errands, to assist her and those that attend to her. That’s why the delivery had been so easy for her. In so short a time of three hours, the baby was born normally and without any difficulty.

While inside the Temple Mama prayed for Kathleen and for the baby to be delivered that day. She’d been in Cebu City for two weeks. Jesle must have not known that she is going for another session and texted immediately after the 9-11 session was finished because of too much anxiety and fear. So that when Mama completed her session at 1:00 PM, she found her locker with a tag---please off your cellphone. Only then did she realize she forgot the instruction. Her excitement made her ignore her hunger and just immediately rushed to the clinic.

When Kathleen posted the infant’s pictures on Facebook announcing her birth, I immediately searched some names for suggestion. But she informed me that a name was already written for her birth certificate---ZAINA VIVECA. I thought that this must have been just another name found and chosen from the pages of old newspapers and magazines as many Filipino mothers do, even Kathleen. I learned later that Viveca was a random choice of her 4-year old sister Jeliene from Barbie and the Three Musketeers. I checked for a possible meaning at Google. I was thrilled to discover a lovely and delightful meaning. ZAINA is of Arabic Origin meaning “beautiful”. VIVECA is of Teutonic, Scandinavian origin meaning “life”, “alive”. So that ZAINA VIVECA meant BEAUTIFUL LIFE.

In the Chinese culture, Zaina Viveca is destined to have a beautiful life. At birth she has three numbers 8. She was born on the 8th month, on the 28th day and she is our 8th grandchild. “No. 8 has long been regarded as the luckiest number in Chinese culture. With pronunciation of 'Ba' in Chinese, no. 8 sounds similar to the word 'Fa', which means to make a fortune. It contains meanings of prosperity, success and high social status too, so all businessmen favor it very much.” In Biblical Numerology; “The number 8 in the Bible represents a new beginning, meaning a new order or creation, and man's true 'born again' event when he is resurrected from the dead into eternal life. Eight is the number of Jesus, whose name in the Greek adds up to 888. (www.google.com).

However, that is far from our belief. Each of our future is not determined by the lucky numbers neither by destiny. The child’s future will depend on how she would be able to handle the circumstances around her during her growing years. Yet the meaning of her name can be a motivating factor in her eventual journey into the realms of mortality. Should Zaina Viveca in the coming years want to have a beautiful life she will be driven to it by an earnest desire and faith to achieve under the guiding hand of faithful parents.

We are so much grateful to have her in our posterity. She is a wonderful addition to the family. Her worth is priceless. Her presence is an inspiration. She was born at 12:03 PM, August 28, 2014, weighing 3.5 kilograms. ZAINA VIVECA – BEAUTIFUL LIFE, how wonderful is the name; how accurate the meaning; for each spirit child of God that journey from premortality are foreordained for a beautiful life toward exaltation.

She is now celebrating her second birthday. Her second year in mortality is one of joy and happiness, enjoying good health and physical vigor. She is now the subject of a mother's chasing as she starts to run uncontrolled. She had once taken a vacation in his grandparent's nest and enjoyed the crowd of restless cousins. She is loved and caressed by uncles and aunts. She is such a joy to be with even in such a short time of her visit. We love her so much and we are always praying that she will grow up in the nurture and admonition of the Gospel with visions focused on the temple. We always missed her for she lives far away from us. Oh, how we would love to hug her tight on this her birthday, but distance makes it impossible. We can only wish the best of life for her. HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR DEAREST GRANDDAUGHTER ZAINA VIVECA!!!