14 years and counting :)

How long have you known your very best friend?

This question got me thinking. Do I have a very best friend? I have really good friends: Tim, Jing and Shen. These are the people I am still connected with after all these years. They are my high school friends. Of the three, I was closest to Shen back then. My mom and I even used to hang out at her place. I am still close to Shen but I think I am closest to Tim the past few years. With Shen disappearing for months on end at times, Tim and I bonded more.

When I actually take stock of the friends I have, the one I can really call my very best friend is May. She is my college classmate. We were not really close back in college. It so happened that I jokingly called her bespren for a couple of years simply because I used to demand favors from her during enrollment/registration days. And then we get to work together in Ortigas Center. She in HSBC while I worked for a talent management, then a creative agency. We really got close during that time.

It was during those years when I was working in Ortigas Center that tough challenges came my way. It was during all those years that the only friend who stood by me through it all was May. During the happy and the sad, she was there. Especially during the really tough times. I couldn't remember ever hearing a No from her during the tough times. I couldn't remember a day that I was not able to turn to her even for a day of fun to alleviate my situation that time. She was there for me and my family. AND she never ever asked anything in return!

I guess I now have a very best friend, huh! And I've known her since 2nd year college. That makes it 14 years now!

Losing a mom

Before anything else, I apologize for using the same image I used in a fairly recent post. I am writing about the lost of a mother and I do love this image so please bear with me on this. Thank you.

It is so hard to lose a mother. I was already in my late 20's when I lost my mom but I was still devastated by it. I think there's no age when you will be ready to lose your mom. She's the constant in our lives. I am close to my dad, too, but the bond I shared with my mom was stronger. I can only imagine how bad losing your mom when you are in your teens when you encounter almost every personal issue in the world.

My goddaughter lost her mom at the age of 3 (going on 4 by October). When the child was told that her mom was no longer with them, she responded by saying that a man on a horse will come and kiss her mom so she could wake up. She thought it was just a fairy tale and that her mom will come back any time soon. I was crushed when I heard it. Our youngest was 12 when we lost our mom and it still devastated him. At least, my brother still has his memories of our mom. I can only imagine what it would feel like when my goddaughter grows and she couldn't remember her mom anymore. It is tragic and I can only say a little prayer for the child that she grows up to be someone her mom dreamt her to be.

It is hard to lose a love one. Especially if it's your mom...

My prayer for my grieving friend...

My friend's wife passed away the other day. It hurts to see my friend who loves his wife so much lose her like that. It is painful to look at him dejected and hurting. He is one of the nicest guys around. He is one of the best human beings I've known and it is too bad that this has to happen to him.

I am praying for his wife's soul. I am praying for his healing as well as that of their two adorable daughters. I am godmother to their firstborn and I am praying that she will always remember her mom. I am praying that their newborn will become what her mom wanted her to be. And more.

I am praying for acceptance, strength and complete healing. In His time. Amen.