Chapter 79

Aurora's POV
Now, with my mother gone, I fully realize that I must be a strong mother for my four children—Roland, Ronald, Roline, and Cherry. They still need love and attention, and that responsibility will be my strength to fight. Although it is hard to continue living without my mother who always supports me, I know that I must pass on all the love and values she taught me.
After the funeral, when we gathered together, the children seemed confused and probably felt the same burden, even though they did not fully understand. In my heart, I was determined to take care of them and make sure that even though we lost my mother, we did not lose the love she had. I would share beautiful memories of their grandmother, sharing the teachings of compassion and kindness that she had instilled in all of us.
That night, when we returned home, amidst the silence that enveloped the room, I felt a new spirit emerging from within me. Despite the deep sadness that filled my heart, I would try to do my best for my children. Mother is a part of my life that will never be forgotten, and I will share the love and wisdom she gave to them.
With determination and hope, I will face each new day, building a strong bond between us as a family, and keeping my mother alive in our memories—as a loving and bright figure.
The next day, my house was visited by guests—my in-laws. They came with the aim of expressing their condolences for the passing of my mother. When they arrived, I was still trapped in a deep state of grief, remembering all the beautiful memories with her and feeling empty about how sad the loss was. Crying all night made me feel exhausted and my emotions were still shaken.
My mother-in-law's attitude felt warm and caring. She gently hugged me, and although I still had difficulty communicating well, their presence provided a little comfort in the midst of this sadness. "We are so sorry for your loss, Aurora. Your mother was an extraordinary woman," she said in a soft voice.
I nodded slowly, finding it difficult to find words. My speaking skills felt lost and only tears could come out. The pain I had buried was so deep, and I wanted to express everything in my heart, but words felt difficult to express.
Although my mood was heavy, I tried to adapt to their presence. My mother-in-law offered me a lot of support and made me feel welcome. “We’re here for you, honey. Whatever you need, don’t hesitate to call us,” she added, hinting that they would always be there to help.
Looking back on our last less-than-stellar encounter, I felt grateful to God for this change. In the tough moments, a connection was rekindled. And the longer we talked, the tension in my heart began to ease.
Without realizing it, some fond memories of my mother came to light. My mother-in-law shared stories about her from her perspective, allowing me to see this extraordinary person in a different light. Her voice, her sweet smile, and her unfading kindness were reminders of how much she meant to me.
I realized that while the loss was painful, the memories would never go away. I was determined to continue making new memories with my children and cherishing all the valuable lessons my mother taught me.
In the midst of this sadness, my heart was a little shaken. My in-laws’ presence gave me a ray of hope and reminded me that family is ultimately our source of strength in the face of adversity. My mother-in-law remained faithfully by my side, supporting me, and while I could not fully let go of my mother’s passing, I would try to keep the love and affection that existed between us shining as a reminder of the strength of family.
*
A month after my mother’s passing, the sadness still leaves a deep mark on my heart. Every day feels heavy, and all the memories of her come flooding back, reminding me that this extraordinary person is no longer there. Honestly, I can’t forget everything about my mother. The service, the love, and the life lessons she taught me still live in my memory.
Dante, with great understanding, tried to calm me down. “Aurora,” he said softly, “I know this is hard for you, but you don’t have to try to forget everything. Just remember all the good things about her in your heart.” His voice flowed with a calmness that helped ease the anxiety inside me, but I still struggled with the feeling of loss.
“Sometimes I feel like my life is incomplete without her. My mother who was always there for me, giving me support, advice, and love,” I said, my voice full of longing. “I just want to remember all those beautiful memories, but sometimes it hurts.”
Dante hugged me tightly, comforting me. “That’s normal, honey. Loss is part of life’s journey. Remembering your mother is not a bad thing. You just have to learn to live by seeing those beautiful memories as a source of strength. Try to accept it and continue your life for the sake of your children.”
I nodded, trying to accept those wise words. Although the longing never went away, I knew that I had to fight for my children. They still needed me as a mother, and that responsibility was my strength. I wanted them to feel comfortable and happy, even though there was sadness that enveloped us.
Every time I felt like I was drowning in sadness, I tried to distract myself and become more active with the children. We started doing lots of activities, playing, drawing, and celebrating little moments. The sincerity of their laughter gave me new hope. Seeing their cheerful faces made me realize how important it was for me to stay strong and steadfast.
I promised myself that I would not let the sadness take over my life. In every prayer and quiet moment, I treasured all the beautiful memories of my mother. Remembering her, paying homage to all that she had done, without forgetting myself in the process.