More than just a memory

(Conclusion)

After the unexpected death of her only daughter Sandy from a mosquito bite five years ago, lawyer Ma. Louella “Peaches” Martinez Aranas turned her grief into another child’s salvation.

“No pain can be greater than realizing Sandy was taken down by a tiny mosquito and with just one bite and where was I? I feel that this was a one-in-a-million chance! And I’m sure many feel that way, too! But it’s not! Anybody can be struck with dengue. And parents can only protect their children so much. If the kids protect themselves, half the battle against dengue is won.

“There is no greater pain than losing a child. Other children don’t need to suffer Sandy’s fate, and other parents don’t need to suffer mine.”

To Peaches, the solution is elementary: “There are no mosquitoes if there are no breeding grounds. It’s that simple, it’s sustainable.”

So, she decided to be part of the solution.

Last February, on Sandy’s fifth year in heaven, Peaches launched The Sandy Project, a dengue awareness and prevention campaign with school-aged children as the target audience.

Brave Sandy Aranas.

“The launch of The Sandy Project was but a formality. As in past years, we endeavor to reach more kids to educate and empower them to keep their homes free of stagnant waters to defeat dengue. We will go all over the Philippines and speak to the children. We will distribute self-testing dengue kits to the health centers to save lives on time.”

So far, Peaches has gone to schools in Metro Manila, Bulacan, the Bicol Region, even to a school in San Carlos City in Negros Occidental.

Despite her busy practice, Peaches makes time for this advocacy.

“When trials come my way, I hear myself saying — namatayan na ako ng anak, nothing fazes me. I guess that’s what it did — I’m surprised that not only am I still alive, I feel I can survive any challenge and accept any misfortune.”

Since she cannot be the best mother to Sandy anymore, she feels that Sandy’s passing has taught her to be a better mother to her two older children.

“Her death made me love my two other children more. It changed me to be more empathetic and to see them as individuals who deserve love and respect. It made me more sensitive to them not as my sons but as human beings whose lives I want to enrich in every sense and aspect. It is my duty to make sure of this. I won’t force them to eat veggies or prevent them from eating candy or insist that they brush their teeth, if you know what I mean. These are really trivial. I will spend time, hug, laugh and be silly, cry with them, let them be right, apologize for being wrong, ask for their help, I will share my life with them and participate in theirs. Tomorrow, I may not have the chance.”

***

Last Sunday, Mother’s Day, Peaches was happy because of the gift of motherhood, even if part of her will always be waiting for a greeting that will never come in this life.

To her sons JC and Paco, she says, “I am so proud to be your mom! You boys have courage and grit and grace with charm, not to mention wit! I love you both so much, I never knew I could love this way. You are the reasons why I do what I do, a gift that I don’t deserve. My only wish is that you live your lives with eternal purpose. Keep your eyes above always. If you live by faith, everything else will fall into place.”

Siblings Paco, JC and Sandy(left). One of The Sandy Project outreach kits, which includes a dengue self-test kit, Kung Ako’y Isa book and a pair of slippers.

And to the one she could only send her love to in a message borne by angel’s wings, Peaches whispers, every day, “Dear Sandy, thank you for your sweetness, gentleness and kindness to me. From a daughter to a mother, that was heaven on earth. Thank you for your smiles and giggles and tight, tight hugs. Thank you for crying with and for me. Thank you for your songs and dances and for the memories. I wish every day that you were still here. I don’t think I will ever stop wishing that. I don’t even want to.  One day, we will be together again! Until then, you have a very special place in my heart.”

(For inquiries, visit The Sandy Project Facebook page.)

(You may e-mail me at [email protected]. )