Birthday celebration featuring terrific traffic and unexpected death

Yesterday we celebrated my late mother in law and brother in law's birthday in a very simple way. I thought we're gonna celebrate it at my brother in law's house but then I was misinformed. Originally my father in law wanted to fetch us but I declined since I don't want to disturb them anymore. I just told them that the kids and I will commute going to their place. Before we got out of the house, my brother in law called my son via messenger and told us to meet in this particular street near their house. I just said okay without asking why would they want to wait us there. Honestly at that time I was kinda worried because I haven't talked to my husband yet, might be the reason why my mind is floating nowhere. I took the kids out and went to this bakeshop near us to buy cake. While I was at the bakeshop my brother in law called me asking for our location, I told him we were at the bakeshop. He told me to hurry up because we might get late going to the cemetery. Like what? So that was the reason why they were waiting in that street so that the kids and I would no longer dropped at their residence. Right there and then I feel ashamed because they have been waiting for a couple of minutes already. I told my brother in law that we'll take a taxi since that will take us faster to them maybe in 10 minutes than riding a jeep. Unfortunately though, there wasn't even a sign of taxi on the road that time so I left with no other choice but to ride the jeep. I message my brother in law that we could just meet them at this particular gas station since the jeepney route won't take us to the street where they were waiting for us.

After a few minutes, the kids and I arrived at the gas station and then off we go to the cemetery. The reason why my brother in law was calling me and asking me to come earlier because the Batasan Road that will take us to San Mateo where the cemetery was closed due to the canvassing of official ballots from the recent election in the Congress. Because that wide road is closed the traffic along Commonwealth road was very evident while we were on the way. Since we cannot passed the Batasan, my father in law who was driving went to the alternate route. We passed by at UP Diliman and take the road going to Tumana Marikina that will take us to San Mateo. However it wasn't an easy access since the traffic was still bumper to bumper. After about an hour or so, we finally made it to the cemetery. My sister in law brought some palabok while I had the cake with me. We had a little celebration for the very special lady in the family. I know she was smiling back at us from up above while she sees us never forgetting her special day even though she was gone for so many years.

When the dark skies finally taken the daylight, we move out from the cemetery to be at our next destination. One of my father in law's long time friend was finally in the hands of the Lord. She was also one of the principal sponsor on my brother in law's wedding years ago. So last night, we went to St. Peter Chapel to visit her wake. The mass started at 730 in the evening but we arrived at 8 pm so we waited outside while the mass was ongoing inside the chapel where her wake is located. While we were waiting, my father in law called my attention telling me that his relative was in the other chapel.

Earlier while we were on the way, my father in law who just came back from Aklan last Monday told me that his relative lost her father. This relative of him is someone familiar to me since our kids went to the same private school before I transferred my kids to public. However, about a year ago I can't contact her fb account and so I lost contact to her. She just recently lost her father, and while she was still grieving for her lost father back in Aklan, the news of her husband in Manila being gone really shocked her. According to her, there was really no sign that her husband would be gone too early. It was very unexpected too. To be honest, I really feel sorry for her but seeing how she manage the situation looking strong, I can't helped myself admiring her. I know she is holding for now since his husband's wake is still there. She is trying to be strong for the sake of their only son. I know deep inside she is crying because two of her loved ones left her almost at the same time. She then remembered what her husband told her while she was crying because of her father that he will be there for her no matter what, but now that he is gone too, how will he do it?

For about two hours, we spend catching up and talking about what's her next plans. I asked her to contact me anytime after I added her on my fb and since she decided to stay here in Manila for a year before going back to Aklan. I asked her to visit us, since she knows where we live. After that we can visit her as well together with the kids so that his son and my sons can get along well since they are relatives to begin with. By the way yesterday was her sons birthday then I remember my youngest brother in law who also celebrated his birthday at his mother's wake a few years ago.

Death is really inevitable. I remember my husband's cousin who lost his life at the age of 32 during the early pandemic. He was young, healthy and nobody couldn't believe that he was gone too early. But as the saying goes if it is your time then no one can prevent it. So while you are reading this, tell your loved ones how you love and cherish them. Life is short so enjoy most of it.

Thanks for reading until here. See you next time.

Annyeong!

Previous articles

• No topic to discuss, then go on ramblings

• I am secretly inlove with my bestfriend

Lead image from Unsplash