A month ago my whole family and I visited my sister's in-laws. Her mother-in-law was sick and diagnosed with Liver Cirrhosis. (FYI: one of our church mates died from that illness a month after her diagnosis) Nanay (as how I and my siblings were used to call her) was not the usual all-around mother by the time we reached their house in Pagbilao, Quezon. She was distinctively quiet and calm and unusually laid back. As how I can remember her, she would always clean my sister's room, where she used to stay whenever we pay them a visit. You might think that she's a snob if you don't know her, but she's really nice and thoughtful. She's the typical housewife. Taking care of the house, the kids and her husband. But, despite all that, she'd never forget her beauty regime, her nails and her makeup which I admire of her deeply. She wasn't able to come with us in the swimming pool because she visited her doctor. The next morning, she complains of her body pains, specifically, her tummy. She said it was so painful. We never told her that our church mate died of the same illness. We prayed for her. She prayed for herself as well. I will never forget those remarkable words that she said in her prayer, "Lord, we all know that You are in control of everything. You know better than anyone of us, You will never leave us nor forsake us. Everything happens for a reason and even for the betterment of us here. But please God, if You may, please don't let me die yet. Not for me, but for my children and family. They need me. Amen" these words touched my heart so deeply that I couldn't hold my tears back. She meant those words and wanted to live not for herself, but for her loved ones. Last Friday, June 24, my sister said she'd go visit her mother-in-law. We called her brother-in-law and asked if she's arrived, he said no. He called us back and told us that her mom, nanay, was looking for her already. We told him that she's already gone there last Friday. We were worried for whatever might have happened to her. We finally learned that she stayed at her boyfriend's house for the night because it was raining so hard. And on Saturday, there was no bus going to Quezon, she said. I woke up Sunday morning, around 6 o'clock, my brother was talking to someone on the phone, with disbelief on his face. Nanay was gone. He was talking on the phone with my sister's brother-in-law, still looking for my sister. I've been calling my sister since Friday night but she's not answering the phone anymore, until Sunday morning. His brother-in-law finally talked with her and told her the devastating news. She went to the bus terminal right away, accidentally leaving her phone behind. Miraculously there was a bus. Look at that! As much as I want to pay Nanay a visit, for the last time, I can't. I was hoping that her burial would be on weekends so that I can attend, but they'd do it on Friday.
And to Nanay, thank you for the support and the guidance that you have given, not only to my sister, but for the good of our whole family. We thank God for giving my sister the best mother-in-law she'll ever have. Rest now, for God loves you so much. We will miss you.
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