..it comes like a thief in the night.

Over the past few days I've been attending wake services, prayers and funeral masses. For the dead, that's right. And I see wives, fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers crying, weeping. Uncles and aunts with red faces and sad expressions. Friends huddled together quietly to think about his last smile, her last hug, his last meal together with them, her last text, phone call, memo.

Death is unfortunately heartbreaking.

When a person dies, he is gone forever. No more smile or hug or kiss. No more dinner or lunch or breakfast. No more friendly jokes, love, or sex. No future plans, no growing old together.

And it happens so suddenly. Yesterday, this morning.. a moment ago. Life ends abruptly, instantly, leaving a void where life and love used to exist. And the people you depend on, love and live for.. are suddenly gone. You don't know where they went, or whether they know they've gone. You're lost, in pain, angry, dejected, confused and plain sad. Heartbroken.

I praise and thank God that I have not yet lost anyone terribly dear to me.. and I honestly dread the day I do. We can't change the fact that people, men and women - WILL die. Even if they died young from cancer or a heart attack or something - they are BOUND to die, regardless of illnesses.

All we can do is appreciate life where we find it. Appreciate love where we know it. Live life as best we can whenever we can. And be ready everyday for our last breath. Morbid thought, maybe. But as real as can be.

Always believe that Jesus will give you eternal life even after death.