About Me
- Frances Ogilvie
- From the small town I call home, Philippines
- Hello, I'm Chai and you've never probably heard of me until now. I may be familiar to you because I've met you once when our souls crossed paths. In my past life, I was probably a princess living in Old England, or a World War II chronicler assigned to document the devastation in what is now called Turkey. I may have been a street urchin or a painter or an old Hollywood actress once. But the life I've chosen to hold on to is the life I'm living in right now and I'm glad I can share it with you.:)
Too Young, Too Soon
In Memoriam:
JAN ABBEY PALMA
(November 1989-July 2010)
In another not-so-random news, I just heard the shock of my year when high school batch mates and friends from St. Agnes' Academy informed me earlier today that Jan Abbey Palma has already been welcomed by the Lord's choirs of angels in heaven.
Apparently, she's had a history of weak lungs and asthma, and she was found unconscious in her bedroom around lunchtime of July 1st. Other than being a fresh college graduate, she was supposed to take up the board exams this Saturday. But it's already too late for that.:(
...
In life, we are always presented with a bunch of ironies that, most often than not, we choose to ignore or not take seriously because sometimes, it doesn't directly affect us. However, death has a harsh way of making us realize in the end that there is no harm in trying to care, because at the end of it all, something we'd like to call as regret comes knocking in our hearts and well, just proves it's really ironic.
My high school life (or what I remember of it, at least) came by in such a blur that even I have a hard time comprehending as to how I went from then to now. There are a lot of people I used to mingle with and they were all super close to me. There were also a handful whom I never got the chance to get close to, but I wanted to, because I can see the sincerity in their eyes and the kindness in their hearts. Abbey was one of them. I always see her hanging around with just an intimate circle of friends--she was never loud or outspoken or annoying or talkative like me; she was someone who didn't attract attention to herself like I used to do back then. In rare occasions, when I'd pass by the senior wing and we'd see each other, I'll give her a smile and a small friendly wave, and she'd always generously give it back.
I never had any distinct memories with her. But the most important imprint she has left in my mind is her sincere and warm smile, and I will always remember her for that.
FOR ABBEY:
Imagine the shock and pain of us who used to know you when we found out about your passing. But I bet, the grief and sorrow and longing that your parents have right now is not even an iota of what we're all feeling right now. Yes, we lost a friend, and an acquaintance in you. But for your mom and dad, they have lost a daughter--
a daughter whom they have raised for two decades, in loving hopes
that she'd be able to reach her goals someday;
a daughter they have loved so much and wished to triumph;
a daughter, that someday, they were supposed to willingly but tearfully give away
to some lucky guy to be his wife.
It's an indescribable pain, for any parent to see their child pass away before them. It will take weeks, months, years or even an entire lifetime for them to get over their sadness at your sudden loss. But I know, and I am sure, that they shall take comfort in knowing that they once had you, and they have taught you well, and that they have raised a beautiful miracle in you.
As I write this, I find myself shedding a few unchecked tears because I know that death is such an unfriendly part of this life. But it's a reality we all have to face sooner or later in this lifetime. My heart goes out to your family and everyone you have left behind.
While everyone here is mourning your departure, we all know that you are somewhere in the loving arms of our Creator, and smiling down upon us and wishing you could just tell us you are okay and happy in your new home.
Maybe I wasn't given a chance to know your life's story, or even know what made you happy or sad, but I take pride in this: I once knew you, and I was once a regular recipient of your radiant smile.
It's not goodbye, my dear Abbey. It's see you soon!:) And maybe you weren't given a chance to take your board exams this Saturday, but unlike most of us, you have already received and passed the highest honor anyone can ever bestow upon us--AN ANGEL OF GOD.
And for you, who might be reading this, I would like to request a moment of your time to pause for a few moments of silence and offer a short but meaningful prayer for the heavenly repose of the soul of JAN ABBEY PALMA--a daughter, a sister, a friend.
Courtesy of: http://www.heavensrollcall.com/
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