To God, the Almighty Father,
I remember the first day I met him, Rafael. I mean, it wasn't the first time I had seen him. It had probably been months since we started school. During the first few months, I barely talked to anybody, so it was understandable that we had never really talked to each other before, besides class stuff. And then, suddenly, after all those months, we just happened to talk. And I remember that day. I went to the chapel before going to sleep, and I said to You, "I don't really know this guy, but I really don't know what is going to happen between us in the future. All I want is for You to be the one to guide our journey together." That's what I said the first time we talked to each other, and it became my everyday prayer before sleeping. And even through everything we've been through together, I still always say those words to You before sleeping, because I knew I was not the one in control. I knew that love controls itself, and I didn't actually know what happens when it controls everything. So I always asked You to guide whatever was going to happen. Even though I prayed for that every day, it didn't mean that our everyday life was paradise. We had our moments, like the really bad moments, but somehow, they became the source of the better ones that we have today. And I'm very thankful to You. You give me more than I deserve, and I don't know why You do that for me every time. But all I know is that You love me, and I'm very thankful. For now, what I want is for You to keep guiding us, to continue guiding our future like You've always been doing. And I'm also thankful for the people and everything I've learned that has changed me and made me who I am today. Actually, I had a friend. I mean, he always told me that if you want something, you have to fight for it. And if it's meant for you, then you will have it. I always thought he was crazy, and I was always afraid to go after what I wanted. And maybe that's because it wasn't the right time yet. And when the real time came, and I felt like he was really staying, I thought, maybe he's staying because he's meant to stay. Because I've always said to You, "If he is meant to stay, let him stay. And if he's meant to leave, just help me let him go. Help me know how to just be myself." I've lost myself so many times, and You know that. There were times when I couldn't take it anymore, when I felt like I had completely lost myself, and it was all because of love. But You still helped me. And most importantly, You helped me choose myself without feeling guilty for it. And I think that's all I wanted. Maybe that's all I ever wanted. And now, during these college applications and all the future planning, I want You to be with us and our families, wherever they are. I want You to be with all of us, with the whole world, through all these wounds, scars, and sorrows that we go through every day, because You are the only One who can truly hold on to us through everything and help us hold on to each other until the end. So thank You for this love. Thank You for everything You have taught me. And thank You for helping me find myself again.
Amen.