“We lead such busy lives but if we purposely make it happen, we can find time for the special people who lift us up and share their light with us.

New beginnings and the end of one’s earthly journey. The former is a cause to be joyful and heralds the start of new adventures, the latter a reminder of our mortality. Happiness and sadness. Both occasions evoking intense emotions.

At my dear maternal grandmother Lola Lili’s wake and funeral last year, relatives, friends and I vowed that we would try to see each other more often. One or two decades is too long a time not to be in touch. After Lola’s funeral, one of my uncles and his family organized a get-together. He requested a talented pianist from the University of the Philippines-College of Music to join us, determined to celebrate Lola’s life with some of the people and things she appreciated most when she was alive. Family time over a shared meal, singing, playing the piano, dancing and laughter.

As we grow older, we realize that if we let opportunities to gather in happy times slip us by, we may only ever see relatives and old friends in hospitals and at wakes.

Several months ago, I was asked by a second cousin of mine if I may be one of her wedding godparents. After checking our family schedule and ensuring that I was free to attend her wedding, I happily answered in the affirmative. It was a delightful day, my first ever as wedding ninang! At the church and reception venue, I saw Marfori relatives and high school classmates I had not seen in decades! It was good to reconnect with everyone.

I felt the same way when I attended another wedding last month, this time touching base with my Acero relatives and old and new friends from Cagayan de Oro City, Davao, Manila and from Bogota and London, too! I usually get teary-eyed at least once at each wedding, but this one was quite a unique one! The groom is the jolliest that I have ever seen and the bride’s humor and demeanor was so in synch with the groom’s. Many times, my fellow guests at our reception table and I were in stitches from the funny antics and remarks from the newlywed couple, their entourage and master of ceremonies. Their first dance, to the tune of “Tuwing Umuulan” is one for the books!

Several times while having lunch out with my family on weekends, I get reacquainted with high school or university batchmates and extended relatives. Every occasion, even if spontaneous, is a welcome one.

We lead such busy lives but if we purposely make it happen, we can find time for the special people who lift us up and share their light with us. It has been a year since Lola passed away and I have been in touch and seen relatives more this past year than I have the past decade. I know I am doing something right.

Decide when to see loved ones now before fate decides it in more unfortunate times. That much we have control of.