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What can I say about Mama? She was a teacher, and she embraced her profession
even in her personal relationship with all her children. She did not only teach
us about school, but most importantly, she taught us about life.
A few months ago, Mama was diagnosed with breast cancer and it was already in
advanced stage. We, as children would do, wanted her to undergo chemotherapy in
the hope of having Mama with us longer. But I remember that Mama took everything
calmly. She asked her doctor if he could give her a hundred percent guarantee
that chemotherapy would work. The doctor was unable to give her that guarantee.
Instead, he advised that it was a chance that she may need to take. After much
deep thought, Mama has made a decision. She refused chemotherapy.
In a few short months, we witnessed how her health had deteriorated. But her
spirit was always there. She would always say that she would be with us only
till December. She was still teaching in the school up to the last day before
Christmas break. The day of their Christmas party, we needed to rush Mama to the
hospital. She stayed there for a week, and then she asked to be sent home to
spend Christmas with her family. The doctor informed us that there was nothing
they can do because she repeatedly refused to undergo further treatment. What we
could do was to make her as comfortable as possible during the last few days of
her life.
That Christmas was a bittersweet memory for all of us who loved Mama so much. We
were happy because we are spending it together with her, and at the same time
sad, because we knew that this would be our last Christmas with her.
On her last night with us, we spent the whole night praying with her and for
her. We assured her that we would be there for each other, no matter what. On
her last breath, a tear trimmed down her face. She found peace at last with her
Creator, and that thought is what made us get through the experience of losing
our mentor, our model, our mom.
A few days after her death, we found a poem inside her purse. Let me share that
with you.
“To Those I Love And To Those Who Love Me”
When I am gone,
Release me, let me go
I have so many things to see and do.
You mustn’t tie yourself to me with tears;
Be happy we had so many years.
I give you my love,
You can only guess how much you gave to me in happiness.
I thank you for the love
You have shown me;
But now it’s time I travel alone.
So grieve a while for me,
If grieve you must.
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It’s only for a while that we must part,
So bless the memories within your heart.
I won’t be far away for life goes on.
So if you need me,
Call me and I will be near.
And if you listen with your heart,
You’ll hear
All my love around you,
Soft and clear.
And when you must come this way along,
I’ll greet you with a Smile,
And “Welcome Home”.
This is the poem that has inspired us to go on with our lives. I know that as I
read this, we can feel Mama listening with us, comforting us, living in us.
Mama, this is the one true memory you left that we will cherish, until we meet
again.
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