chiNky tInKeRbeLL's rAnDoM rANts ...

Watching over Francis M's death, I admire Pia Magalona how she handles the death of her husband. She acknowledges the hugs and handshakes of sympathizers with a smile and with not a hint of tears. During her interviews, she never showed any sign of weakness. That is, no excessive show of grieving, no copious tears (even if may of the sympathizers couldn't help it), no Good Friday faces but perhaps Easter Sunday smiles.

Or maybe, just maybe... She has cried more than enough in the seven months that she stayed beside Francis during his brave battle with leukemia. In a newspaper article "Pia smiled, her eyes showing not the pain and sorrow that mark this kind of tragedy but apparent joy that Francis is now resting in peace in the bosom of The Lord, and said, I'd rather treasure beautiful memories or our life together," that is with their eight children, "and that's what I will miss most about him."

Throughout their joint battle with the Big C, diagnosed in August last year, Pia proved to be a pillar of strength. She kept her widely-admired composure because that was how Francis wanted things to be.

I was inspired with her dialogue, "otherwise, if I showed any sign of weakness, it might adversely affect Francis. I didn't want that to happen. I had to be strong for him. With him gone, I have to continue being strong for our children."

I'm also a Mom, and I admire her courage trying to be the good paradigm to her eight children. She has proven that life is tough but she’s tougher.