Ate Mila was a part of my childhood and I never realized how she influenced my life till her death a week ago. I remember her during my childhood,she used to live with us and she would always stop my playtime with my friends just to make me take a bath (i would always pretend that I didnt hear her calling me to go home). During my pre-pubescent years, I loved hanging out in her room and trying out the face creams she had in her dresser.
When Ate Mila got married, she still lived close to us. When I was entering college and when my father didnt allow me to go to the university that I wanted, I opted to study at the local university and since they did not offer my preferred course, I took up Accountancy because that was Ate Mila's course too.
After college, my father died and we have to move to another place. Ate Mila stayed behind and since then we lost touch of each other,except for sporadic birthday celebrations and one Christmas lunch with the family.
During these times Ate Mila had several trials. Unfortunately, she didnt have a child, and she got breast cancer. But despite these challenges in her life, she remained generous and kind. Also she had firm commitment in serving God. She almost singlehandedly built a chapel in her subdivision. When she was diagnosed with breast cancer, the doctors gave her six months to live, but by God's grace, she lived for another thirteen years.
When Ate Mila died, I felt sad,but most of all guilty for not keeping in touch, for taking her for granted and for not acknowledging her kindness and generosity. During the church ceremony when her neighbors were giving their eulogy, I realized how big my loss was. There will never be another Ate Mila.
I thank the Lord for giving me the opportunity to have known Ate Mila in this lifetime. With her death, I have realized how lucky she is, how the Lord truly loved her despite her infertility and her sickness. With these in her life, she has lived her life to the fullest, by being a true servant to the Lord, and by being able to give love truly and unconditionally. When I die, I pray that my funeral will be like Ate Mila's. She was sorrounded with mourners whose lives she touched. Most ot them were not her blood relatives, but still they mourn her loss as if they lost one of their own.
For Ate Mila, God Speed and thank you for touching and changing my life. I love you.
