When my mother died on June 21, 2011 our hearts died with her. Our relatives gathered in our home to weep and to mourn with us. It was never easy to lose a faithful wife, a loving mother, an understanding sister and a helpful friend.
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| Jocelyn L. Rufino (June 4, 1955 - June 21, 2011) |
It's very hard to manage a long distance relationship but with God's grace my parents did it well, but it was all for our sake. I once heard my dad telling this to my brother, "Tumanda na lang ako sa barko kakatrabaho para sa inyo, hindi ko man lang naalagaan yung nanay niyo". ("I wasn't able to take care of your mom because I have been working all this time for your sake".) He was crying while saying those words angrily.
I know how much my father loved our mother. If only he can be with mama now, he would. My father did his best to give my mom the best life she could ever have. A good and comfortable home, some properties, enough amount of money to sustain our needs and her medication, and some properties. I have seen in my father's eyes how painful it is to accept the loss of her "Partner" and "Sweetheart".The most painful is, my mother wasn't able to tell papa the words "I love you" even before she died. Yes, she never said those words on the 27 years of their marriage. But she never failed to show how much he loved papa.
My papa, me, my siblings, all our relatives and friends' hearts died when she passed away.
Here in the Philippines, we have a belief that when a person died, he still have 40 days to stay here on earth before he goes up to heaven. On that 40th day, the relatives of the one who passed away will gather to celebrate his last day on earth and his ascending to heaven.
I was 8 months pregnant when mama died and I am expecting to give birth last week of July. On my 38th week prenatal check up, my OB said that I might overdue because of my small cervical opening and high baby bump. Every day I walked long distances so my baby will go down and prepare his way out of this world.
A week before my mom's 40th day, we are planning what foods to prepare and the program to do. I even joined my titas to do some errands and to buy the groceries and supplies that we will be needing for the celebration.
I am not too worried of my pregnancy since I can still give birth first week of August since it is my 41st week. July 29, 2011, my mom's 39th day on earth, my water sack leaked. I texted my OB and told her that few liquids are flowing in my vagina. She told me to go to the clinic immediately.
Calmly, I packed all my things my baby and I will need. I told the people in our house that I am still unsure if I will give birth that day. But God has His plans for us, unexpectedly, I gave birth to a bouncing beautiful baby girl on that day at 1:37 in the afternoon.
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| Frances Josielaine R. Bobadilla |
God has plans for all of us. He may not brought my mom back from her grave, but He sent an angel to be born on earth. He refreshed our hearts and lives for giving us a precious blessing during the time that we are mourning. Indeed, God gave life to our hearts that died when we lost our mom.
My mother died and became our angel, and an angel was brought to life! My baby is my father's angel. I can see in his eyes how happy he is when he first held my baby in his hands. My baby is his source of joy and his new found source of hope and inspiration.
On my mom's 40th day, we are all celebrating. Celebrating for the loss of a loved one that will go up to heaven, and for a blessing that came down from heaven.
Our Lord moves in our lives in the most unexpected moments, and for this Lord I give you all my praises and thanks!
Our loss is God's gain.
God bless you all! :)