i have been close to my grandma, because she was the one who's seen us grow. although she wasn't as doting as a normal one would be, she would always ensure our well-being. she wasn't the demonstrative type who'd hug and spoon-feed you. but i love her just the way she is. if she were a little different, we would have grown SPOILED BRATS. i'm sure. i can say we are spoiled, but we aren't brats. if she would succumb to our whining, we really will not be the way we are today. 

modesty aside, my siblings and i, as far as i can say, we were humbled by our childhood. not much privileges of a normal child whose parents were both abroad, not much new toys or nice school things because our grandma prefers Baclaran than SM! but by that, she has established in us a simple way of living. not too pompous, and not boastful. i can almost imagine how boastful my brothers would be if they were given all the good toys? kids are like that... and we appreciate every little luxury that comes our way. because our grandma taught us that.

maybe that's the reason why i have a big heart for the elderly. i know my brothers do too, as they tell me if they see an old person and they feel pity if he/she looks weary. and that's why i was touched by grandma Amelia's story. she was a blogger, (yeah i was shocked, too) 95-year-old blogger. telling her life before the people, inspiring and encouraging with every single day she has lived to tell. and now she's gone. she logged off for the last time. she has lived her life to the fullest. and she had been given the time to tell it.

the other person on my title is the complete opposite... really heartbreaking to tell. he's a 17-month old baby. ruthlessly abused by his mother, and her beau. HE WAS JUST 17-MONTHS. he doesn't know how it was to be angry. kids, are forgiving. do all you want to do to them, but they will still love to have your hug. he doesn't know how the world worked. how cruel some people are, and unfortunately for him, he was living with two of them under the same roof. but he does know how to love. and no one he loved gave him back the same.

he lived only for 17 months. he wouldn't be seen biking, wooing girls, getting married, and become old. he wouldn't be heard singing, or even be introduced to cellphone! he will never know the internet. and he couldn't make a blog anymore, just like grandma Amelia... yet he touched lives. only the painful way...

i feel so terrible. not for him, but because of him.

this brought me a thought. young or old. happy or sad. in agony or in waiting... all of us will go one day. what have we left behind? all our riches, all the fame, all the things of this world will just pass away. years will come, and all that's left are memories. memories of the happy days, and some sad. why not make it each day worthwhile? one really never knows what tomorrow will bring. only God knows.