Money Can't Buy

Yes money can buy happiness. Now money can buy almost everything. Oh, even falling in love can be influenced by money.

But after my insanely awesome mother-in-law died, I just realized that time is one of the things money can't buy.

Do you know the feeling that your back is against the wall. No space to move, no other options to take but to wait and pray? In Mama Vangie's last minute I am just wishing that I bought a ticket back to Philippines a day earlier. In that my husband can hug and kiss her until her last breath. That we have more time to spend with her.

I know she understands us why we work here in Singapore but our heart is still longing for her, that we wish we can spend more minutes with her.

And on that event, we decided to work hard and invest harder. We want to go back in Philippines earlier than our targeted year of retirement. We want to see all our loved ones, we want to maximize all the seconds with them. We are hoping this plan will prosper... In His time.

Gift of Death

Once I was astounded when the most sensible preacher I known told us while he is on the pulpit that death is a gift. All I know from my childhood it's a curse due to non-compliance of Adam and Eve. But Bro. Eli explains that its a gift from above, for the Almighty cut the suffering of the imperfect flesh. Flesh once perfect to be in Paradise forever.

Mama Sweet was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer last 2007 and doctor told them that maybe she can only live for a couple of years. Hey, she was given more time to spend with her family!

Last May 2013 the cancer attacked with a greater force. She was in California that time and received all the possible treatment she can get. After all the radiation and intravenous meds, again the doctor pronounced that maybe she can't make it going back to Bulacan.

She was picked up by an ambulance at Mommy's home. Thanks to PAL for accommodating out the request for my mom-in-law to travel on stretcher. Plane arrived at NAIA 2 and ambulance was there to transport her to Meycauayan.

Mama Sweet is back with glow of hope in her eyes. We spend days and nights looking after her. Taking care of her needs. We know its not that far, we must stretch all our time to be with her.

Feb 7, after 3 months of battle against the pain, she bid goodbye.

When Ate Rizbeth broke the news all I can do is sob. Even though I know it will come.. but there's still a pain that struck me. I pat my tears dry and Abbey hold my hand for a prayer.

As I told my husband, we need to let go of her. This is just the beginning of forever for her. There is no pain, no suffering, no cancer in the hands of Almighty.

Til we meet again, to the sweetest mama in law in the whole wide world.

My Insanely Awesome Mother-in-Law

Its very hard to please everbody... most specially mothers-in-law. If you will search the internet about MIL, you will see how many rants the daughters-in-law to their second mothers. And ang tanging bilin sa akin ng nanay ko ay ibuhos ko na sa kanya ang kamalditahan ko at wag sa magiging byenan ko.  My mom felt the pure love of her parents-in-law to her and vice-versa and of course I want to be like that on my byenan.

When I met Mrs. Lapuz, I felt how she loves Abbey. She always asked back then if I really love her son. She frankly told me that my looks were deceiving, and she don't like me because I look so snob. 

First meeting, she cried in front of me and I listened to tales. In one meeting, Tita Sweet got my attention, my care and my heart. I told to myself, this is the mother-in-law I want to be with for the rest of my life. 

Well, I call her "Sweet", why? Should I further explain it to you? For almost 5 years of relationship with Abbey I never saw her shout in anger, she always hugs me when I go to their home as if I was gone for years, she kisses me a lot, she treats me as her own daughter, she buys me stuffs... Hey! I even have my own set of clothes in their home in Bulacan. Mama Sweet is always there for me if I need somebody to be with sa aming pampering sessions, she always explains why Abbey acted weird sometimes. And the unforgettable, when I got sick in their home, she took care of me, she even massages me and gave a breakfast in bed. 

Yeah, yeah, jealous I got this kind of mother-in-law? She is really an awesome person. A total package, a mother and a girl friend in one. 

Thanks Mama for everyting lalo na sa pagpapalaki at pag-aalaga mo ng maayos kay Abbey hanggat 'di pa ako dumarating sa buhay nya. I love you so much Mama Sweet. You are one in a million. Mama ako pa rin ang number 1 mo na manugang ha? Haha! 

We miss you Ma! Hope to see you sa 1st birthday ni DomDom. Let's go for some manicure and pedicure ;)