Memories of Ayutthaya and Gene

Beauty and glory in ruins (Wat Mahathat, Ayutthaya, Thailand; 2007)

Going through old memorabilia as I start my yearend cleaning, I found pictures of our trip to Ayutthaya, Thailand.  Ayutthaya was not originally part of our itinerary.  Taking the tour package to Ayutthaya was a spur of the moment decision driven mainly by our exasperation with the crowded and trafficky Bangkok.  At some point it even felt like we were back in Manila as there would always be Tagalog-speaking fellas in almost every shopping center we went to.  Ayutthaya would turn out to be one of the highlights of our trip to Thailand.

A UNESCO world heritage site and Thailand's ancient capital, Ayutthaya was a feast to culture-hungry spirits. Ruins of Buddhist temples abound in this old seat of civilization in Thailand. It was striking how such symbols of beauty, splendor, and gallantry could lose its might and glory. Or did they?  Ayutthaya may no longer be the center of Thailand's life and glory but the beauty of its glorious past in Ayutthaya has remained. People still visit the place with respect and admiration for what it represents.

As I look at the photos today, I not only reminisce the beautiful experience we had in Ayutthaya but also recall with nostalgia my friendship with Gene, dear friend I went there with. This year is the tenth year of Gene's passing. Ten years. . . but there's still a certain sadness and emptiness left in my heart. I guess this is that space that will never ever be changed.  As lessons in healing teach, coming to terms with the loss of a loved one (and healing) means coming to a place where one can accept that empty space left by the loved one as part of one's life.

Ruins of life with Gene will always have that tinge of sadness and emptiness, but like Ayutthaya's ruins, what will forever stand out is the beauty of the friendship and love we shared when she was still around.  The stories behind the ruins will live on.