"A Cherished Memory… Until We Meet Again"

 

“Eternal Rest Grant unto them, O Lord, and let Perpetual Light shine upon them. May their souls rest in peace. Amen."

Dear Readers,

The morning of January 13, 1973, was filled with joy, promise, and the soft rustling of wedding attire. Two souls, my parents, stood at the altar, hand in hand, embarking on a journey that would define love, sacrifice, and resilience for decades to come. Their union wasn’t just about vows; it was about building a legacy, a family, and a home filled with warmth and unwavering support.

I and my sister grew up in that home, enveloped by my parents' love. My mother, gentle and nurturing, had a knack for making every day special, her laugh echoing through the house like music. My father, strong and dependable, was a pillar of guidance and wisdom. Together, they were the perfect balance teaching me the value of kindness, hard work, and perseverance.

But life isn’t always kind. My accident in 2007 changed everything, and on March 31, 2008, a year after, my mother fell sick and was rushed to the hospital there she took her final breath at 3:00 P.M. Her funeral was held the next day, on April 1, a cruel reminder of how fragile life can be. I stood at her graveside, overwhelmed with grief. The years that followed were bittersweet coz my heart ached to know that my mother would never see her grandchildren. She would have adored their laughter, their mischievous smiles, and their endless energy.

In her absence, my father became a steady anchor. Despite his own grief, he poured his heart into supporting me and his family. He adored my children, treating them as treasures that carried the spirit of their grandmother within them. For ten years, he remained as a rock until he would always ask me when can I go to mummy. Then on June 15, 2018, he too departed. It was exactly ten years after my mother as if their love story couldn’t bear to be separated for long.

Now, on their wedding anniversary, I sit in quiet reflection. I recall the stories of my parents used to share, their laughter around the dinner table, or near the aquarium at night, and the way they always made me feel like the most important person in the world. My heart aches, not only for their presence but for the wisdom and comfort they would offer if they were here now.

Unable to visit their niche in my hometown due to my health, I whispered a prayer instead and also offered a mass imagining their faces smiling down on me. I hold onto the belief that they understand, that they see my struggles and continue to guide me in spirit.

“Those special memories of you will always bring a smile,” I murmur, tears pooling in my eyes. “If only I could have you both back for just a little while. Then we could sit back and talk again, just like we used to do.”

I picture my parents, reunited, walking hand in hand in a realm beyond this world. I imagine my mother’s gentle smile and my father’s reassuring nod, their love for me eternal and unshaken.

“Eternal Rest Grant unto them, O Lord, and let Perpetual Light shine upon them. May their souls rest in peace. Amen,” I whisper softly, as a sense of calm washes over me.

Though the ache remains, I know that their love lives on in my heart, in my children, and in every cherished memory.

“Until we meet again,” I say, looking toward the heavens, longing for the day when I can sit with them once more, just like we used to do.

Miss You Mum & Dad

God Bless You Both…

I will be Coming Soon…

Jacob M