Christmas has always been my favorite time of year. Beyond celebrating the birth of Jesus—the true reason for the season—what I cherish most is how it brings our family together for longer than usual. It’s a rare chance to relax, reconnect, and enjoy one another’s company.
Noche Buena has always been special in our family. It’s when we showcase our culinary specialties, laugh over silly moments, and sometimes play games while waiting for midnight.
Last year was particularly memorable. We celebrated Christmas at Cicada Hills along the Buda-Bukidnon Road, where the cool weather was a treat, especially for Mama Aleli—she loved it.
We gathered around a bonfire after a hearty dinner and our tradition of taking family photos. We even had a video call with our siblings who couldn’t join us. It was a blessing that our Cebu-based brother, Paolo, came home to celebrate with us.
As the clock neared midnight, firecrackers lit up the sky—a rare sight for us since firecrackers have been banned in Davao City for over a decade. On Christmas morning, we shared a warm breakfast, explored the area, snapped more photos, and even brought home a few plants—Mama’s favorite souvenir.
That Christmas of 2023 was simple but deeply meaningful. Little did we know it would be the last Christmas we’d spend with Mama Aleli, a widow for almost three decades. She passed away peacefully in her sleep on August 8, 2024.
This year, Christmas feels different. How do you celebrate without the woman who made every gathering so special? Mama’s mere presence, wisdom, love, and care made the simplest moments treasured memories.
Her laughter was contagious, her witty remarks a constant source of joy. She had a way of lifting my spirits and encouraging me and my sons with her kind words. She was why my siblings always came home every year, the glue that held us together.
And when life got tough, her warm embrace and words like “It’s okay” and “God is in control” calmed my heart. Often, I chose not to share my burdens with her because I knew how deeply she empathized, sometimes to the point of restlessness. Yet, I always felt her prayers and the quiet strength she relied on to raise seven children.
Christmas will never be the same without Mama. The void she left in our hearts is immeasurable. This year, my siblings and I decided to celebrate together after Christmas, welcoming the New Year as one family. It’s our way of ensuring everyone can be present, creating new memories while holding on to the old ones.
Losing Mama so suddenly has been heartbreaking. But the beautiful memories we shared with her inspire us to move forward—to love more deeply, forgive more readily, and live fully, just as she would want us to. So this Christmas season, we’ll gather to celebrate and honor Mama’s legacy of love and resilience.
With God’s grace, we hope to heal, find strength in each other, and carry her light in our hearts. MLSA