Saints and souls in our hearts

Many, for sure, took off to travel earlier than today, Thursday, the end of the month of October, Mama Mary’s merry month. Many may already have gone to their destinations as early as Saturday, October 25 or even the day before to have a longer break!

Still, expect traffic (air, land, and sea) to be heavy. The authorities are on red alert, reminders for safety and traffic routes repeated. Flowers are flooding markets and shops, candles too. Expect cemeteries and memorial parks to be super crowded.

While the celebration and commemoration of the Saints open the month of November, there seems to be more outpouring of prayers and offerings for the souls of the dearly departed whose celebration falls on November 2, a day after the Saints!

Understandably, departed loved ones have been part of the everyday lives of those left behind.

May those who are still grieving and missing their loved ones be comforted by this poem, “When tomorrow starts without me,” shared by colleague Dong Camacho.

“When tomorrow starts without me, and I am not there to see, if the sun should rise and find your eyes all filled with tears for me; I wish so much you wouldn't cry, the way you did today, while thinking of the many things, we didn't get to say.”

“I know how much you love me, as much as I love you, and each time that you think of me, I know you will miss me too; but when tomorrow starts without me,  please try to understand that an angel came and called my name and took me by the hand, and said my place was ready, in heaven far above, and that I'd have to leave behind all those I dearly love.”

“But as I turned to walk away, a tear fell from my eye. For all my life, I'd always thought, I didn't want to die. I had so much to live for, so much left yet to do, it almost seemed impossible, that I was leaving you.”

“I thought of all the yesterdays, the good ones and the bad. I thought of all the love we shared, and all the fun we had.”

“If I could relive yesterday, just even for a while, I'd say good-bye and kiss you and maybe see you smile. But then I fully realized, that this could never be, for emptiness and memories, would take the place of me.”

“And when I thought of worldly things, I might miss come tomorrow, I thought of you, and when I did, my heart was filled with sorrow.”

“But when I walked through heaven's gates, I felt so much at home. When God looked down and smiled at me from His great golden throne, He said, "This is eternity,

and all I have promised you. Today your life on earth is past, but her life starts anew.

I promise no tomorrow, but today will always last, and since each day's the same way, there's no longing for the past.”

“You have been so faithful, so trusting and so true. Though there were times you did some things you knew you shouldn't do. But you have been forgiven, and now at last you're free, so won't you come and take my hand and share my life with me?"

“So when tomorrow starts without me, don't think we're far apart, for every time you think of me, I'm right here, in your heart.”

Our departed loved ones and our saints are always with us, here in our hearts.