“Love you!” This was mama’s last words two days before mama passed on. On that day, we noticed that she was not anymore as responsive, and was asleep most of the time. Yet, when our family prayed and sang the Canticle of Simeon and bid her “Good night…we love you!” Mama replied, to our surprise.

Mama was a loving mother and a dotting lola. She loved us the best way she could. She gifted us with her presence, be it milestone events, or even during her grandkids’ school performances. She cooked our fave dishes, brought us pasalubong, and served as our encourager and constant prayer warrior.

Mama also had a big heart for others. When I was in grade school, I witnessed how she helped her younger siblings finish school. She also took care of her parents – my lolo and lola – during their late fragile years. She also shared her limited resources to younger cousins of mine, distant relatives, and friends in need.

Mama did all these even as she lived a simple/modest life, a full-time parent then, without worldly status, title or recognition. The way she loved and valued people was like the way Jesus did– acting out of love, looking after the needs of others, and most of all – bringing others to the Lord through her prayers and out of her personal circumstance.

Mama was instrumental in my personal faith conversion/journey; ending my 10 years of darkness as a self-professed agnostic. It happened in December of 1999 when she got critically ill. God healed mama miraculously, and “healed” me of my unbelief. And during mama’s recent sickness, she led me and others into fervent prayers. If only for these, she completed her mission, the tasks God specifically called her to.

Mama’s passing is a loving reminder for me/us to continue living with eternal perspective, that is, to see and go beyond the demands and lure of the world. That no matter how uncertain the future may seem to be, we are assured that the Lord is already there, waiting for us in our tomorrows.

During mama’s medical trials, the Lord showed us His grace and mercy in concrete ways. He led us to competent and compassionate doctors, medical staff, and caregivers. He provided for us thru the generosity of friends and brethren in Ligaya ng Panginoon Community. His graces came in perfect timing.

My family and I are also thankful for the grace and privilege of accompanying mama during her last days/weeks. Mama peacefully passed on at home, surrounded by the familiar. The presence of family praying aloud beside her bed; mama soaked in prayers, daily online mass, christian songs day in and day out. Just before her last hospital confinement, while she was still fully lucid, a priest came, and we gathered as mama received the Anointing of the Sick and Holy Communion. All these was meant to prepare mama for life eternal with the Lord.

My family witnessed all of these: the holy anointing and the words of absolution, mama receiving Christ in the Eucharist daily during her hospital confinement.

The sacraments did not remove our grief, but placed it within a greater reality… that death is the completion of a journey which began at Baptism.

Our family encountered the reality of loss gradually but surely. We were able to touch mama on her death bed before the funeral service took her remains. And because it happened on a holiday, we were given the next day to again be with mama as the priest gave her the final blessing prior to cremation.

The process of letting go was solemn, sacred and grace-filled. It did not make death easy. But the sacraments and rituals gave grief a shape, while faith put our fears within the story of Jesus Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection.

Preparing for death was an act of love towards mama, towards God, and towards those of us who remain. Because of mama who had unwavering devotion to Mary, we prayed the rosary with every opportunity we had, for her. For every Hail Mary, we asked the Mother of God, our Mother, to pray for us “now and at the hour of our death.” Caring for mama til her last breath was indeed God’s grace.

Vaya con Dios, mama! We love you…

(This honoring was shared on the last day of mama’s wake, and on the 9th day online Novena Prayers for her.)