Last Christmas
Last Christmas
By: Cherry V. Tubes
I am staring at our six-foot tall Christmas tree for a couple of minutes now. It was decorated with colorful ribbons and Christmas balls. At the bottom of it were gifts of different sizes.
I can’t help but reminisce the past Christmas when both of my parents were still alive. We were a picture of a happy family then. My mom used to cook luscious foods for Noche Buena. My dad on the other hand would help my mom in doing other choirs.
That was eight years ago. Eight Christmas ago before they died on a car accident on their way home for Christmas Eve. What a tragic Christmas gift for me.
For eight years, I haven’t celebrated Christmas. I hated that day to come because it only reminds me of my parents. It reminds me that I am alone. As an only child, their loss has really been difficult for me. Somehow, it made me stronger than I was before. It taught me to fight all life’s battle.
After eight years, it was only now that I decided to observe Christmas again. Why a sudden change? It’s because this would be my last Christmas.
A year ago, I was diagnosed of having a brain cancer. The doctors told me that I only have a year to live. Life has really been so playful to me.
I was mad at first. It wasn’t that easy for me to accept my illness. However, with the help of some friends, I was able to treasure my remaining days. Funny, but I started to appreciate every little thing in my life.
An extreme pain on my head makes my eyes close and stop from staring at the Christmas tree. It was so throbbing and it was as if my head would crack any moment. Suddenly, a very coruscating light comes into my view. I did my best to open my eyes to see what that light was. I was astonished to see my mom and my dad beside the Christmas tree. They were both smiling and handling their hands to me.
“Mom, dad,” I uttered.
“Merry Christmas, Monique!” my mom replied.
I smiled back and reached their hand.
