Wilhelmina Regala, 60 years old

I'm once again trying to blog.

It finally happened. Mum's 60th birthday. So many friends of hers came. Celebrities even, though Mum's friendships were never about celebrities but about helping people... even people she didn't already know.

I thought about calling Mum in London while I was waiting to be diagnosed in the ER of The Medical City on November 19. I postponed it because it would have been night time there. In less than 12 hours, we learned she passed away.

Though saddened, I didn't cry much, rationalizing how her physical suffering had ceased and she finally rests. The tears gushed the next morning when, at 6:59 am, I received a message from an aunt that said: "Ur Mommy stood 4 me even wen da rest did not." I knew myself that it wasn't some sugar-coated message to make me feel good but a true testament of what Mum was.

I wanted to say so many things last night to her friends but just couldn't contain the grief. Maybe this blog will help.

I miss her.

I'll be seeing you
In all the old familiar places
That this heart of mine embraces
All day through.

In that small cafe;
The park across the way;
The children's carousel;
The chestnut trees;
The wishin' well.

I'll be seeing you
In every lovely summer's day;
In every thing that's light and gay.
I'll always think of you that way.

I'll find you
In the morning sun
And when the night is new.
I'll be looking at the moon,
But I'll be seeing you.