‘Heaven means so much to me’

Heaven is ultimately our most desired destination. Upon  fulfilling our divine purposes on earth, God rewards us by welcoming us into paradise, His heavenly kingdom where joy, peace, beauty and only good things reign.  It is one final journey that is worth preparing your whole life for. Even if it means death. Because the day you die is your rebirth into a more magnificent life. It therefore becomes your birthday in heaven.

As my family and I celebrate the 16th birthday in heaven of our loving parents Ting and Mila Dayrit — who died 20 days apart in 1997 (Dad on June 28 and Mom, July 8) — I wish to share with you a poem written in 1997 by my dear sister Christine, the poet of our family.

“Heaven Means So Much To Me”

Thank you Lord,

for the wonderful parents

you have given me;

Who shared their love,

thoughts, and selves

unselfishly.

‘Tis because of their love,

that I have come to be.

My comprehension

of unconditional love

stems from the experiences

they had set for me.

Two hearts,

minds, and souls

have formed a grand alliance

that no man,

nor mortal event,

can combat in defiance.

Even in sickness

and inevitable death

they derive their strength

from each other’s breath.

They exemplify Man

and Woman.

Like Eve

drawn from Adam’s rib

no less.

Forgiveness,

then reconciliation,

comes easy

when hearts are purified,

are sin-free,

and are from guilt

liberated.

I have witnessed

their atonements

for whatever limitations

and mistakes initiated.

I cannot ask for more

from the Almighty Lord:

I surrender to You

my loving parents:

I trust in Your Word.

My most coveted desire is

they remain in Your Grace,

in full resignation to Your will,

with no doubts

nor bitterness traced.

There is no use clinging

to what is mundane.

Life is fleeting and temporal

like each passing train.

An earthly wish is

but a minuscule speck,

compared to eternal Bliss.

Death is a celebration

to the Heavens on High

We must accept

and embrace our fate

with a grateful sigh.

The love Mom and Dad

have consummated

will keep us five siblings

strong.

Through their wisdom

and example

we can decipher

what is right

or wrong.

We’ll safeguard

what they started

and perspired for.

Their legacy will continue

burning in our acts

and deeds forever more.

I, too, dream

to have a love

so unconditional,

to espouse virtues

and values so inspirational.

For we all learn

by what we live,

from the understanding,

patience and guidance

parents give:

Who were there

for us

when we were saddest

and low;

To share

our happy moments,

and to listen

to know

the deepest recesses

of our delicate

and fragile hearts;

To guide us along

life’s challenging avenues

and to allow our dreams

to start.

Do not pity me

if you see me cry.

I consider myself

truly Blessed.

I do not ask God why.

Instead, I thank Him

for all these blessings

in disguise.

Only the Lord

has Divine Providence —

He is merciful

and wise.

Thanks for being there

and giving us

additional strength

during this trial.

I believe

the storm will subside,

the clouds will clear,

and the sun will shine.

It will only take

a little while.

Mom and Dad’s

spiritual journey

to Heaven

which means so much

to me

has slowly begun

mile by mile.

Heaven awaits them

with a radiant SMILE.