I had been out of my hometown since fifteen and have been going round and round. Though I had been into so many places after some time, a trip to my hometown will always be an exciting reunion. To see the familiar faces, the warm smile of my father, the anticipation of my grandparents and seeing the whole family. And I must admit just recently that it is also my neighbors that I really look forward to see.
My heart cries out as we lost a neighbor-friend. I never thought that I will be affected as much as I am today. Learning the news about her passing made me think of our lives mortal. My heart was wrenched at the thought of going home without seeing her the next morning, while we used to exchange our pleasantries. Her house is directly in front our house, that is why from time to time, I usually go and do a little chat with her.
My three-year-old niece will definitely miss her. Every morning when my niece wakes up, she used to call her name and her husband’s name to invite to eat. I also heard from my sister that the kids at my neighborhood are looking for her, as apparently, she had become their second-mama.
She just lived a life of peace, everyday living selflessly to serve her family.
My sisters and I agreed that we will miss her more on Christmas and New Year’s eve, as we already accustomed to go to her house to eat the Media Noche; and watch the fireworks display from there.
Her voice is distinct and I want to remember her as is.
When we lost our mother, we were spared from pain as we did not know how much painful it was to lose a loved-one. God is definitely wise that He had attuned a child’s emotion and memory very short that we were oblivious to it.
The wiser and older you become, the more painful and extremer your emotions will be. I am still amazed that I am indeed hurting at her passing. Maybe it is because I understand clearly now how much she will be missed by her children and her husband. We were there before. And I saw how my father grieved for her loss. I witnessed how much my father cried and called her in the night. Desperately. That was the time you wished that tomorrow would just be yesterday, and today would stop before that happen.
Though all things said and done, God is still sovereign. We may not understand but God is in control. I may be swayed by what I feel, but God knows how, why, when.
Each death always remind me of how short really life is. Our days are measured, every part of our lives known. I remembered from the book of Ecclesiastes when King Solomon contemplates about life. He saw that everything in life was meaningless. When it was measured, everything is just vanity.
And thus the conclusion of our lives, though really short, is nothing if ours will just end from here.
When I think of my mother, I think of her in heaven. I foresee the marvelousness of God, all the wonderful things He has done for you, for me.
And I want to think of my neighbor-friend like that, from now on. One day, when all hurts and pains diminish, we will see again, on other place and other time. When God permits, one day I can chat with her again. 
O my heart I am telling you, you shall be more than glad today. For she will go on the place before us, where she will not feel anymore pain and suffering, all peace, quiet and lovely, loving the lover of our souls.
