JANUARY

It’s strange to look back at 2024, a year that began with such light and joy and ended in such deep sorrow. A year I thought was filled with so much promise and excitement, as if life had been saving up all its beauty to gift me at once. It’s hard to believe how drastically everything shifted by the end.

FEBRUARY

2024 began as though it were lifted from the pages of a dream. It started with a long-awaited return to Japan, this time with the whole family. The trip felt both nostalgic and brand new, as we revisited places dear to us while also creating fresh memories. Watching the snowflakes gently fall from the sky, feeling the crisp chill against my skin, and strolling through streets blanketed in white was nothing short of magical. We also spent time at Disney and Universal Studios, and those experiences added a layer of excitement and joy to an already unforgettable journey.

Watching Taylor Swift live in Tokyo Dome with my girls was one of the many highlights from our Japan trip. Standing there among thousands of fans, singing every lyric together, was surreal. For a brief moment, I was completely lost in happiness.

Those moments were pure and fleeting, filled with laughter, love, and a sense of wonder that reminded me how beautiful life can be when shared with those you hold dear. Together, we built memories that seemed to set the tone for the year ahead—a year I believed would be unforgettable, filled with joy, adventure, and promise.

It was a beginning so bright, it felt as though nothing could dim its glow. But as the year unfolded, I would come to learn that life’s storylines are never as simple or predictable as they first appear.

MARCH-MAY

Summer unfolded like a vivid postcard, bringing sun, sand, and countless adventures. I spent endless days basking on the pristine beaches of Boracay, followed by escapes to Quezon Province, Batangas, Subic, and La Union with friends. Each destination offered its own charm, but the essence of every trip was the same—a celebration of life’s simple pleasures.

The rhythmic sound of the waves, the warm embrace of the sun, and the laughter shared with friends felt like little slices of paradise. These trips were more than just getaways; they were moments to pause, breathe, and reconnect with myself. They reminded me of the beauty in slowing down and appreciating the present.

It was a time to explore new places, unwind from life’s daily grind, and build memories with the people I hold closest to my heart. The summer felt like a joyful pause, a time to recharge and savor the connections that make life meaningful. Little did I know, those carefree days would soon become a source of comfort in the months to come.

JUNE-JULY

I traveled back to Australia to send my son off to university and to visit my daughter, who is also studying there. The trip was a whirlwind of emotions. Saying goodbye to my son as he embarked on this new chapter of his life was a moment of pride, but also one of bittersweetness. Watching him step into his future, so full of potential and dreams, was both exciting and emotional. I couldn’t help but reflect on how much he had grown and how much he was stepping into the world on his own.

At the same time, I was grateful for the chance to reconnect with my daughter, who had already been navigating her own university journey. Seeing both of them thriving in their studies, finding their paths in a new place, filled me with so much pride and admiration. It was beautiful to witness their independence and the people they were becoming.

During my time there, we made the most of the days together—catching up on life, sharing laughs, and creating new memories. It was a mix of feeling proud of their accomplishments and recognizing how much had changed since I had last been there. This trip marked a significant milestone for our family. My children were carving out their own futures, and as a mother, I couldn’t have been more proud of the people they were becoming.

AUGUST- NOVEMBER

August marked a life-changing moment: I got into law school. For 22 years, I had silently wished and dreamed of this, and finally, that dream came full circle. It felt surreal to step into this new chapter of my life, one I had often thought was out of reach. For years, the idea of returning to school seemed like an impossible fantasy—life kept moving forward, and I convinced myself that some dreams were meant to remain just that.

But this moment proved otherwise. It was a reminder that perseverance and faith, even in silence, can open doors you thought were permanently closed. As I walked into law school for the first time, I was filled with a mixture of excitement, gratitude, and a deep sense of purpose. It wasn’t just a step toward a career—it was the beginning of fulfilling a lifelong dream, one I had carried in my heart for over two decades.

DECEMBER

I had been counting down the days to the end of finals, eagerly dreaming of finally catching up on sleep and spending quality time with family. After the whirlwind of 1st semester in law school, I longed for a moment to breathe, to relax, and to reconnect. But life had a different plan in store.

Instead of unwinding, I found myself in the hospital, books and notes in hand, studying for my last two subjects for final exam while keeping watch over Papa, who had just undergone angioplasty. It was an incredibly stressful and emotional time—trying to focus on exams while being consumed with worry for him. Yet, through it all, I held on to hope. I believed that he would recover, and we’d celebrate the end of the year together as a family, stronger and more grateful than ever.

Life has a way of humbling you, and this time, it hit harder than I could have ever imagined. The hope I clung to was shattered, leaving me unprepared for the heartbreak that followed. Just before Christmas, Papa passed away, and with him, a part of my world seemed to collapse.

Losing him was devastating—it felt as though the foundation of my life had been pulled out from under me. The man who had been one of my anchors, my quiet source of strength and wisdom, was suddenly gone. It was as if the ground beneath me had disappeared, leaving me suspended in grief and disbelief.

I find myself constantly replaying our last conversations, holding onto his words, his laugh, his presence. I keep wishing for just one more moment with him—a chance to tell him again how much I love him, to hear his voice, to thank him for everything he’s done for me and my kids. The finality of his absence feels unbearable, and yet his love lingers, urging me to carry on.

2025?

2024 was a year of dreams fulfilled and dreams broken. It taught me the beauty of life’s fleeting moments and the depth of love and loss. As I look ahead to 2025, I feel lost. How do I face a year without him? How do I move forward with this pain in my heart? I am uncertain but even in this grief, I know he’d want me to keep going. To honor his memory by living a life he’d be proud of. So I guess I’ll have to take it one step at a time, carrying his love and lessons with me, and holding on to the belief that brighter days will come again.

I miss you Papa. Hug mama for me.