… ngunit ang tahanan ng isang biyuda ay iingatan ng Diyos.

Kawikaan 15:25

Three years nang biyuda si Erna Llorente pero fresh pa rin sa kanyang ala-ala nang biglang mawalan nang buhay ang kanyang asawa due to hemorrhagic stroke. At the age of 39, she lost her husband, best friend, father of her children, helpmate, colleague, confidante, source of strength and inspiration.

She wrote on her Facebook:

I was there when it all happened. I remember the day when B drew heavy sighs to steady himself. I was there when time moved in slow motion, simultaneously flying by in a blur; like that of a light trail snapshot.

I remember when his absence filled the waking hours, and everything was a reminder of the new reality. The mere thought of going into his office caused sorrow that outweighed all the good. I saw grief‘s morphing capabilities: haunting, stifling, disruptive and paralytic.

Perhaps, widows can identify with the deep sorrows that Erna felt. Widow or not, we realize that besides having to cope with loneliness, widows are anxious kung paano magpatuloy sa buhay at itaguyod mag-isa ang kanilang mga anak. It’s comforting that we have a God who cares for widows. Isaiah 54: 4-5 (NLT) records God’s vow: “Fear not … you will no longer remember… the sorrows of widowhood. For your Creator will be your husband, … your Redeemer … the God of all the earth.” At sabi pa sa Kawikaan 15:25, “… ang tahanan ng isang biyuda ay iingatan ng Diyos.”

Kaya damang-dama ni Erna na special siya kay Lord. This time, she wrote from the point of view of God and how He has sustained her:

I was there when it all happened. I caught and bottled every tear, strengthened your tattered spirit. I was there when you surrendered your confusion and anger, when you laid down your whys and frustrations. Watch me redeem your circumstance … I will cause you to be fruitful in the same room that reminded you of death’s desolation.

I was there when it all happened.

I am here in your present.

And I will be with you always.