Multiply was flooded with farewell messages for Marianne Mari. From close friends to acquaintances to other batch mates who just knew her after the news spread out. Some were pondering on how the cliché lines “life is short” and “time is gold” are factual. Some were dedicating song lyrics to Maan. As someone who did not have a chance to know a precious soul, it was a relief to hear stories about her goodness from her close friends and loved ones.

In a span of 3 hours, I learned that she was a sweet and a kind person who will not say no for answer. Give her a report due tomorrow, she will accept it with a smile and give it to you tomorrow morning. A soul so pure and clear.

It is a poignant thing that I never got a chance to know Maan.

After Maan’s death, I went online to seek for comfort. I searched what Aneurysm means. Looked at Maan’s friendster account. But the thing is, when I went to visit Yahoo.com, I saw some of the news. I wanted to shout “WHAT?! ARE’NT YOU GUYS EVEN A TINY BIT AFFECTED THAT MAAN DIED?!?!” A certain emotion showed among others: Indifference.

How can you be indifferent?! How can you not be affect that Maan died?

How can your world not stop?

Then it hit me. The world will never stop. Even if at one point in your life you will experience much more pain and suffering. The world will never stop.

If you felt the world has stopped, you are insane. It is you that stopped. You stopped to eat, you stopped to talk to your friends and family members, you stopped to live. It is your choice if you want it to begin again. But keep in mind, that the world won’t stop because of you.

Life goes on. I know Maan wants us to know that she is safe with our Father. She is happy where she is now.

We cannot do anything bring her back. But there is one thing we can do: Pray for her. It’s the most thoughtful thing we can do.