The year 2024 has been a bittersweet one for our family. As we welcomed the New Year, it was the first time we celebrated without my beloved mother-in-law,
who passed away earlier in February. Her absence was deeply felt, and yet, we knew she was with us in spirit, guiding us through this time of change.
The New Year's Eve celebration marked a turning point, a blend of gratitude, reflection, and love as our little family of three—my husband, our son, and I—came together to embrace the beauty of the present.
We decided to make the evening special, inviting the church missionaries to share an early dinner with us. It was a beautiful way to start the celebrations, surrounding ourselves with the warmth of friendship and faith. The missionaries’ laughter and stories filled our home with joy, reminding us that the love we share can bridge any distance, even when the ones we hold dear are no longer physically with us.
Later in the evening, we had a simple yet intimate dinner with my husband's brother who is now living in my mother-in-law's home just beside ours for we live in a compound. In the Philippines since we are a close knit family we tend to live in compounds with our siblings. So we can be closer to each other. We decided to have the simple get together at our Nanay's house (a term used to call a mother, or grandma in our language) It wasn’t extravagant, but there was a deep sense of togetherness that filled our hearts. We spoke of the memories of New Years’ past, of my mother-in-law’s infectious laugh and love for these moments, and how much she would have enjoyed the gathering. We missed her cooking for she is an excellent cook. Always filling our tummies with delicious home cooked meals specially during this special occasions. Even though we felt her absence, her presence was still woven into the fabric of our evening.
After dinner, we decided to make our way to the seafront for the much-anticipated fireworks display.
Subic Bay had become a buzzing hub for the New Year's celebration, drawing people from neighboring cities eager to witness the grand spectacle. As we walked to the viewing area, we were greeted by the sounds of live bands playing on stage. There was something so magical about the energy in the air—people chatting, laughing, and eagerly waiting for the countdown.
When the clock ticked closer to midnight, my son’s excitement was palpable. He held our hands tight as the countdown began: "3, 2, 1..." And just like that, the sky above us erupted into a dazzling array of colorful fireworks, lighting up the night in breathtaking brilliance.
The sheer beauty of it took our breath away. Each burst of light seemed to echo the love and joy that filled our hearts. It felt like a symbolic new beginning, a moment to celebrate life, love, and the memories we continue to carry forward.
As the fireworks display came to an end after 11 minutes of pure magic, the crowd cheered, and we couldn’t help but join in. But the night didn’t end there. A surprise performance by a celebrity band, invited by the Subic Bay administration, had everyone on their feet. We danced and sang along, not caring about anything other than the joy of the moment. My son was beaming with happiness, and even my husband and I couldn’t resist letting go and joining in the fun.
In that moment, it was clear that New Year's wasn't just about looking back at the past but about embracing the present and the future. We’re a family of three now, and while we miss my mother-in-law dearly, we know she’s watching over us, proud of how we’re continuing to live, love, and create new memories together.
As the fireworks faded and the music played on, we took a moment to reflect on how blessed we truly are. The loss of a loved one is never easy, but it also makes us realize the importance of cherishing the moments we have with the ones we hold close. We are looking forward to what the new year brings, knowing that, as a family, we are stronger than ever.
Here's to embracing change, to cherishing the love we share, and to making more beautiful memories in 2025. Happy New Year to our little family and to all who are walking this journey with us. May we continue to find joy, even in the most unexpected places, and honor those who have shaped our lives.
Thank you for reading this far.
