Loud meowing outside my bedroom door at 5:30 am. On a Sunday morning. Because she wanted pets. Awww kitty…

I was awakened early today because…

My aunt/godmother died early this morning. On my mother’s birthday. My godmother is my mom’s eldest sister.

I had to miss my mom’s 75th birthday dinner party.

I drove all the way to QC to be my cousin’s (who is like a sister to me) emotional support/personal assistant since she can’t drive long distances because of distress and lack of sleep. I packed her personal belongings because we will be holding the funeral at St. Peter’s and then bring my godmother to their hometown in Batangas after two days. But for now, I gave my cousin melatonin tablets so she can sleep and rest.

I will be driving back and forth several cities tomorrow to arrange the death certificate and other logistical issues before the body can be ready for viewing and so internment arrangements can be made…

I’ve been here before.

When my dad died 19 years ago, I was the only one functional in our family. I was the one who arranged the funeral, the death certification, the death notice in newspaper (required when fixing the estate for the heirs), and the cremation. I did the grocery shopping for the supplies and food & drinks during the funeral. All the practical stuff. My mom was just floating then—she wasn’t on earth at that time so it fell on me to do those things. My brother was lucid but he has a young family then so he can’t really be hands-on when it comes to the nitty-gritty stuff. My sisters were too distraught.

I was just powered by adrenalin and only slept for a total of 5 hrs that week (or something like that). I was 25 years old then, still young so my body could take that kind of abuse.

But my cousin is 45, she needs all the help she can have, especially rest.

So now it’s early evening and we’re already tucked in bed. We are going to have a looooong day tomorrow.

Psalm 23

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
3
he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, [1] I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.