“When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.” ~ Henri J.M. Nouwen, The Road to Daybreak: A Spiritual Journey

Captured my two friends just before daybreak in New Argao, Malita, Davao del Sur.  This is also the location of the Dugong (manatee) sanctuary.  Before sunrise, the sea was calm and velvety, with foamy whites that broke the surface.  Everything was serene and hushed as I set up my tripod behind them, knowing how valuable this moment was for both who just wanted to savor the silence in meditation.