The next person you meet in heaven

"But all endings are also beginnings."

The next person you meet in heaven book by Mitch Albom is a sequel to his book The five people you meet in heaven.  I have always loved the books that Mitch Albom has written.  I started reading Mitch Albom's books when I read Tuesday's with Morrie.  The way he writes always gives us something to think about.   In this book, Annie meets five people and animal that knowingly or unknowingly have become part of her life.  Annie is the child that Eddie (from the five people you meet in heaven) saved from Ruby Pier accident that caused Eddie's life.  

What I like about this book is that Mitch Albom honored single parents and nurses.  It gave the chance for single moms particularly to explain themselves to their children.  Being a single mother myself, i can relate to this.  There arre times  that our children do not understand our ways, but yet there never comes a time that we can make our children understand us, only maybe when we meet them in heaven, just like how it was narrated in this book.

And here are my top five excerpts from the book The Next Person You Meet in Heaven:

1. "Forcing love is like picking a flower then insisiting that it grows."

2. “Love comes when you least expect it. Love comes when you most need it. Love comes when you are ready to receive it or can no longer deny it.”

3. “What's time between a mother and her daughter?Never too much, never enough.” 

4. “Secrets. We think by keeping them, we're controlling things, but all the while, they're controlling us.” 

5.  “First loves often remain in the heart, like plants that cannot grow in sunlight.” 

Tula para sa isang OFW nanay (a poem for my OFW mother)

Ang buhay kong isang tula kung minsan Masaya pero marami ang kalungkutan Dahil magulang ko'y malayo sa piling kong tunay San man ako dalhin ng aking paglungkot ang aking baon. Dahil ang aking inay abala sa paghahanap buhay. Nasanay na akong humarap sa pagsubok Maging ito'y madali o mahirap saaking loob Sa tulong ng aking guro na nagsilbing magulang Gabay nila'y baon ko sa aking daraanan Tagumpay at pag-asa pilit kong kakamitin dahil sa aking ina na mahal kong tunay.

This poem that created rivers of tears was made by my son. Out of the blue he asked me, "do you want to see my poem for you?" I excitedly agreed and after reading the poem my tears won't stop. Mothers who are working away from their children were able to relate to this poem. Distance may have hindered us from hugging each other but thank God for high technology where continuous communication happens. I pray that whatever God plans for me and my son, we will be able to travel faithfully and journey together near or far, and pass the hurdles of life with flying colors.

God bless all the single moms and their children!