by Ligia Houben | Sep 4, 2020 | Blog US
I remember your face as a shining star, reflecting peace, joy, and love.
I remember your gaze like a ray of light, filling any space, any corner
I remember your laughter, like a vibrant, joyous bell, full of life
I remember your curiosity, eager to gain more knowledge and learn new skills
I remember your love for life, enjoying every moment, every experience
I remember your love for others, giving affection, helping those who needed it
I remember your faith in God, being the rock of your existence, being the source of your serenity, being the hope towards eternal life.
Mom, I remember you, and it is those memories that now fill my spirit
Mom, I remember you, and it is those memories that now make my heart joyful
Mom, I remember you, and it is those memories that inspire me to continue living with joy, with love for others, and faith in God.
Your cumiche,
Ligia del Carmen
by Ligia Houben | Aug 15, 2020 | Blog US
What will my future be like, if my present has lost its joy?
What will my future be like, if my present is so empty?
What will my future be like, if my present has lost the light of each morning?
What will my future be like, if my present suddenly feels heavy?
What will my future be like, if my present is surrounded by darkness?
What will my future be like, if my present is full of sadness?
What will my future be like, if my present has lost its illusion?
What will my future be like, if my present feels loaded?
What will my future be like, if my present is only memories?
What will my future be like, if my present is full of unanswered questions?
Wait … I have the answer of what my future will be like
To that lack of joy, little by little I will open my heart
To that emptiness, little by little I will fill it with your love
To that lack of light, I will open the window of my soul so that the sun can come in
To that heaviness, I will loosen the moorings so that it rises to heaven
To that darkness, little by little I will allow the light to enter
Little by little, I will turn that sadness into an illusion towards a future
To that lack of breath, little by little I will turn it into hope
Those memories will be my inspiration to honor your memory
Those unanswered questions, I will hand them over to God.
*This poem was written on 08/07/2020 two months after my beloved mother had died.
My heart is open to love and hope…
Ligia M. Houben
by Ligia Houben | Aug 2, 2020 | Blog US
If the sun dawned so bright, how can my soul be in darkness?
If the sun dawned so bright, how do tears fill my eyes?
If the sun dawned so bright, how does my chest feel so heavy?
If the sun dawned so bright, how does my body feel without strength?
If the sun dawned so bright, how does my spirit feel beaten?
If the sun dawned so bright, how can I lack the desire to take a step?
If the sun dawned so brightly, how can it be so hard to have a smile on my face?
If the sun dawned so brightly, how is it possible that my mind is filled with thoughts of her?
Oh, now, I understand!
Because every morning, that was my mother’s way of waking up, with those words “what a radiant sun.”
Now, I understand how I feel.
Remembering that this was one of her favorite phrases, I will honor her memory allowing the sun to fill up my heart.
Then, every day when I wake up, I will say, with a smile on my face…
“What a radiant sun.”
Ligia M. Houben
by Ligia Houben | Jul 21, 2020 | Blog US
But, if I was feeling better …
Why does this empty feeling suddenly come to me?
But, if I was feeling better…
Why do I suddenly have this uncontrollable urge to cry?
But, if I was feeling better…
Why suddenly when looking at your photo I can’t hold the tears?
But, if I was feeling better…
Why when hearing that song that reminds you, I start crying?
But, if I was feeling better…
Why, when I see your clothes, what I want is just to smell it?
But, if I was feeling better…
Why, when realizing you died a month ago, my heart skipped a beat?
But, if I was feeling better…
Ligia M. Houben
by Ligia Houben | Jul 19, 2020 | Blog US
In life everybody faces difficult times such as the loss of a loved one, a divorce or break-up, or an illness.
We can face a job loss, relocation, economic hardships. As you read these lines you may identify with one or several of these losses, and although you may feel you won’t be able to overcome the pain and be happy again, you can bounce back after a loss and even thrive on grief.
You can find strength and hope no matter what you are confronting in life. It may take time (it is different for each of us), but it is possible. What matters most is to have faith and believe in your resilience. Yes, you have the ability to recover after a loss. You just need to look into your inner self, to bring out those resources.
I won’t be happy again….
Life is unfair….
Why has this happened to me….
These are some of the thoughts you may entertain at moments of grief, despair, or hopelessness. It is natural to experience these emotions. It only shows you are human. Still, you can choose to dwell on your pain or bounce back after your loss.
I have been so touched by many of my clients who have faced painful situations and thrive after a loss, that I wanted to remind you of your possibilities. In my own life I have confronted many losses, and have been able to bounce back. At this moment I am confronting a huge loss …the loss of my beloved mother. I am living my grieving process a moment at a time, with all my love.
Inspired by this love, I am transforming this loss into spiritual growth.
It has to do with faith, hope, strength, resilience, and love.
We have valuable resources in our spirit, mind, and heart. It is up to us if we use them.
We are able to transform our loss and transform our lives!
Ligia M. Houben
www.the11principlesoftransformation.com
by Ligia Houben | Jul 7, 2020 | Blog US
I understand you, if when you want to say her name, you feel like a lump in your throat.
I understand you, when you look at the phone, thinking that you are going to receive a message from her.
I understand you, when you feel that weight in your soul, when realizing that she is not by your side
I understand you, when suddenly for no reason you start crying
I understand you, if you avoid going home so you do not have to face the emptiness
I understand you, if at nightfall you need a good night kiss
I understand you, if at the beginning of the day you need to say that prayer
I understand you, if sometimes you wonder who you are now
I understand you, if the emptiness you feel inside, you feel it physically
I understand you, if in the middle of a conversation a memory comes to you, and a tear comes out
I understand you, if when visiting places, you frequented together, you feel your heart jumping
I understand you, if suddenly you get a feeling of being numb, and you feel floating
I understand you, if you want to turn back time, and even if it was just one more time, receive her hug
I understand you…
Ligia M. Houben
