A Tribute to Elsa on her first Birthday after death

by Val Mapé from his book of “Reflections”

written on June 5, 2016

Elsa Q. Ballesteros, you celebrate your first birthday,

We are joining in emotionally since you passed away

And today brings to our mind your endearing face

The natural smiles that came from you with grace

Along with your always relaxed and welcoming spirit

Uplifting our weary hearts and darkened souls to lit

 

I find myself wondering how this day would have been

Had you lived onward and heaven had stayed unseen

For sure you would attract new friends with great ease

For you had a gift of character that was aimed to please

And you always sang so beautifully... like a nightingale

Alone, with a group, a choir, or duet with Marc, we hail

 

With your pure heart of gold, you were ever most kind

Notwithstanding your own penance, you were not blind

To the plight of the less fortunate around us and more

Not excluding cats and dogs, also God’s other creature

We miss your comely face and your ready warm smiles

Your affable and supple spirit to travel the extra miles

 

To hold your heart open and unlocked as a sanctuary

As a true friend, unmindful of the burdens you carry

I wish you were here to know that I am truly grateful

For being your friend, for being a beneficiary in full

Of our inheritance from your incredible generosity

A vivid expression of love you had displayed heartily

 

I joyfully join your countless friends and your family

In wishing you fondly and sincerely, a Happy Birthday

And with sadness in our hearts albeit with no regret

To say you were truly a one-of-a-kind friend we met

With whom we had many years of memorable times

Memories we are reminded of when our clock chimes

They are plush reminders of when and what it was

Of the fun life that you bequeathed on your demise

Ones to cherish as a rich legacy from you, dear friend,

For which we are, and would be, grateful to no end

Paalam hangang sa muli nating pagkikita, dear Elsa

You entrenched up there, and us down here uma-asa

 

Na ikaw ay manatiling namamayapa by God’s side

That He would always make the path safe for our ride

In our own journey to where you are happily confined

As we continue to pray for God to bless us and send

His love and message in our direction with abundance

To be kind to one another like you, always, not once

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