jmdelarama: I excused myself and went to the ladies room. Inside the loo, I saw an Asian-looking woman who was attending to an old but beautiful woman. As I went outside, they were still there. I approached them and started talking to Ate Remy (‘Ate’ pronounced as ‘ah-te’, a Filipino term of respect, which means older sister). Ate Remy is a Filipina caregiver who looks after Rachel, the old but beautiful woman on the wheelchair.
As I was talking to Ate Remy, Rachel started talking to me too. I was surprised on how witty and funny she was. She also spoke good English and her mind was still sharp.I really enjoyed talking to Rachel and Ate Remy. Before we left, I told Rachel how I would love to see her again. I asked when she would go to the mall again. She said that we could visit her at her home instead. Ate Remy was surprised because Rachel doesn’t normally invite people to her place. She said that was very rare of Rachel. But she insisted that we could meet in the morning.
When we arrived at Rachel’s building, we were welcomed and assisted by Ate Remy from their lobby to the elevator, going to their home unit. Upon entering their home, we were welcomed by Rachel’s cheerful spirit and warmest smile.
As I gave her some presents from the Philippines, I was surprised that she also prepared something for me. It was a beautiful hardcover book full of nice pictures and details about Israel. Ate Remy said that Rachel let her choose their gift for me. I was so touched by their thoughtfulness. Rachel displayed such energy and zeal for life. She was very sweet and you can tell that she enjoyed life.We were filled with admiration as we gazed at Rachel’s collections that surrounded her very cozy home. She then started to give us a tour of her place and collections while in her wheelchair. Her place showed how well-traveled she was. She showed us the variety of decorative items that she has, which she curated from the different countries that she visited, including a wooden chicken from the Philippines.
She shared stories after stories in her usual humor. We really enjoyed our time with her. We appreciate how she took the time to welcome and accommodate. After our house tour, she invited us to a nook at her kitchen. She had Ate Remy prepare some local snacks. Then PD, Tita Mamoosh, Ate Remy, Rachel, and I continued our conversation until Tita Mamoosh started to talk in Spanish with Rachel. They looked so adorable (You can see how she loves her family as she placed photos of her children and grandchildren at her breakfast nook too).
Soon after, Rachel shared about her collections again and shared something personal that really pierced my heart. Right then and there I felt sharing to her about Mama.
I couldn’t stop crying again. Instead of comforting her, I ended up being comforted by Rachel. I had the urge to tell her how I lost Mama the day before our date. It was painful and sad but I was assured that my Mama is already very happy. I am sad but at the same time I was at peace. I know and I’m assured that she’s already in a beautiful place (I didn’t know that PD was already taking our photos during this time. He’s like a trained paparazzo! But thank you PD. Moments like this is priceless).
JM: What do you think about life?Rachel: Life is beautiful, you are beautiful! (hahaha)JM: And you are beautiful too!Rachel: I don’t want a long life, I want a beautiful one. It’s you who makes your life beautiful.
She was too cute! She was something special (After our first date with Rachel, we kept in touch until I got back to Manila. I had my long distance phone calls with Rachel and Ate Remy. She was so sweet. She would tell me how she misses me and how she loves me. It was like talking to Mama). I remember what PD told me before we left Rachel’s home, “You know what JM, Rachel and your Mom have something in common… It’s you. And when they finally meet in heaven, they will both talk about you’. We met a special friend in Tel Aviv in Rachel. And I believe that Mama also gained a new friend in her.
Overall, my first trip to Israel reminded me about this verse that says:
||I will open up rivers for them on the high plateaus.
I will give them fountains of water in the valleys.
I will fill the desert with pools of water.
Rivers fed by springs will flow across the parched ground.
I will plant trees in the barren desert—cedar, acacia, myrtle, olive, cypress, fir, and pine.
I am doing this so all who see this miracle will understand what it means—that it is the LORD who has done this, the Holy One of Israel who created it||
(Isaiah 41:18-20).
||But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture|| (Malachi 3:20).
