With Mother's Day just passing us, it's important to take some time to express how grateful we all are for the wonderful mother figures we've had in our lives who were patient enough to get us to where we are now. Life is short, you don't want to take someone for granted. Someday, they won't always be there for you.
A few weeks ago, the world lost a legend but heaven certainly gained a beautiful soul. My grandma passed away at the age of 89. My grandma wasn't an average woman. She helped raise every single one of her grandchildren both in the Philippines and in America. Even though she had just been widowed, she dropped everything and paused her life in the Philippines to emigrate here to take care of us.
I have so many fond memories growing up with her around. I remember when we would go to bed every night and you'd say you missed the Philippines and when we would watch 'The Price is Right' (only when Bob Barker was still the host) every morning and Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune every night. She was always the person in our family that made everyone feel loved. I remember how proud she was whenever I did something mildy impressive, and how sad she was when we cried. She was always the most comforting person to be around, even as a little kid. She gave up so much of her life to take care of people, all of your children and grandchildren can personally say that they have fond memories with her, and that's amazing.
“It really is different losing a mother.” - My mom... she's right. She's the woman who taught my mom how to be an amazing woman. There's just something different about maternalistic relationships being the hardest to let go of. Maybe it's the nature of the relationship, or maybe it's because you would not be the same person you are today, without them. My grandmother taught me so much and she never stopped.
At 23 years old, I had been fortunate enough to not experience a heart-wrenching loss, until now. She was my first encounter with loss. My grandma's passing has taught me so much about loss and how to handle it. It took me days to finally run out of tears and a dream of seeing her again. But I know that she's watching over me smiling, eating pizza (her favorite food) and playing MahJohng with my grandpa and her siblings now. There is a lingering sentimental comfort I feel when I think about her, and that's enough to put me at ease.
Even though I wish I could see her one last time, I wish she could see me graduate, I wish she could be there at my wedding... I am happy knowing she's happy now and in a better place. I'm so very grateful that we got to spend Christmas in the Philippines with you this year, I love you, Ma. Thank you for teaching me not only how to love, but also how to live. You're everything that I could only ever dream of becoming: a true inspiration who is loved by all.
R.I.P.
Benita Nicolas Viray
The Best Grandmother Of All Time
April 3, 1927 – April 18, 2016
