Many Thanks Ate Norma Sakin

When we enter into a relationship like friendship, we experience a very wonderful existence in this tiny and temporal world. And when such relationship ends, we feel at lost, grieve and die a part of our self. This is exactly what I feel up to this very date when my friend ATE NORMA SAKIN passed away more than a month ago. I least expected such a fate to happen to her who was so generous, understanding, God-fearing, a devoted legionary of Mary, a wise counsellor, a sister, and a buddy. Though we did not anymore spent time together in every weekend with our usual circle of friends, since I started working in Davao City, we still keep on communicating through texting and e-mailing.

There is one thing that I would like to be grateful to you, ATE NORMA SAKIN, is whenever you come to DAVAO CITY for a recollection in your aspiration to be part of the SERVITIUM or attend an important meeting to preside over as the highest officer of LEGION OF MARY in Mindanao, you always see to it that in your itinerary you would not miss to make an appointment with me. With that gesture, I could not refute the reality but admire your sincerity and firmness of what you say that WE ALWAYS REMAIN FRIENDS WHETHER YOU ARE TO BECOME A PRIEST OR A SIMPLE LAY PERSON. Ate, you are really a wonderful person because your commitment of concern and care is not conditional. You possess the character of a true CHRIST patiently, hopeful and positive in bringing out the best in me. Though we did not have the chance to share our deepest secrets and successes in life, but our absent presence to each other is surpassed the expectation.

Although it has been almost 2 months ago [September 2009] since you left us, my heart is still grieving for your lost. You have taught me to be strong enough to go on with life ahead to discover the future what God wants me to be, and hold on to our blessed mother as our faithful intercessor. I know there is always one thing that you would like to make a request as part of your missionary journey – to pray for the spiritual growth of the legion of Mary and to pray for the beatification of the Servant of God, Frank Duff. As an auxiliary legionary, I will include your intention in my prayer. In my heart I do not want to let you go, but I am sure you are at peace and enjoying the presence of our creator and our blessed mother. Always remember me and Fr. PI to ask our brother and friend Jesus to keep us from evil and temptation as we trudge the path of this earthly life. I will always keep our memories as I remember you. I’ll be missing you my friend ATE NORMA SAKIN. Adios!