Remembering Jeanette

It was some sad news that greeted me last night as I checked my friendster account. Jeanette Miranda, a dear friend and classmate since grade school, has passed away. Eventhough she has been bed-ridden for almost three years now, the reality of her passing still came as a shock to me. Before I left for the US, I had visited her in San Pedro Hospital in Davao City while she was at the Intensive Care Unit fighting for her life. She was so young then, and I've always thought that she would pull it through. Every now and then I'd hear snippets from friends telling me about some minor improvement in her condition, although she never really had a full recovery. When I was home last month, we spoke of Jeanette again and I was in fact glad to learn that she's still hanging on. Miracles can happen, and maybe, just maybe, she will get one.

But the bulletin posted by Jingle and Ruby had me reeling. Jeanette's gone... so young, so soon! She's not even 30 yet! We share the same birth month, her birthday is just several days after mine. Confronted by her mortality, I suddenly feel vulnerable and scared. Youth does not protect us from death, nor does it shelter us from ill health. I just hope that wherever she is now, she has found eternal peace and tranquility. At least all her earthly sufferings are over. At last, she is finally home with her Creator.

I will always remember Jeanette as a sweet, gentle girl with a very kind disposition - I don't think she ever made enemies when we were still at school. Jeanette is the kind of girl whom everyone likes, always cheerful, always willing to lend a hand when you need it. We were not super close, but we were good friends. She will be missed! Please include her and her family in your prayers.