Life is short

Mike stayed at his uncle's house when he worked in Laguna. There was always food on the table, his things were kept clean, and he was never forced to do any chores. His aunt was like his second mom during his stay there. It was early in the morning when her husband came from work, and she collapsed right after she opened the gate for him. She died August 30.

The lady across the street used to iron our clothes. She was very efficient with her work and gets along with the neighbors. My mom told me she was rushed to the hospital around noon last week, but was only given medication late in the afternoon because they didn't have money. She died September 6.

A friend's sister-in-law had goiter for as long as I can remember. Everytime my mom sees her, she'd always asked if she had herself checked up. She was only 26 years old. After being in the shower for more than an hour, her husband forced the door open only to find her lifeless on the floor. She died yesterday, September 9.

"Ang bilis lang ng buhay," my mom said. I'd always sigh when I hear that from her. Death is surreal when it happens to someone you know, more so when you see it 3 times in a span of 2 weeks.

As if defying these deaths, Mike's cousin had their second baby yesterday.

As if defying life, I'm reduced to solving error tickets as if my existence depends on my fixes.