Friday, November 30, 2007
graveyard shift to grave
Graveyard shift work a.k.a. working on Psych method papers is linked to cancer!
Ano, shift na ba? Shift na? ;)
Monday, November 05, 2007
A grandchild grieves
He wrote her a note before he left: "I'm going to church at 6:30 to read the Scriptures. I love you. I'll miss you."
So he went on to read the Scriptures. After mass, just a few moments after he stepped outside the church, he was run over by a drugged and drunken nineteen-year-old. He was dead on the spot.
Hadn't 911 called, she would have just sat there waiting.
***
She was on life support for a few days and would not respond to medications. Her family had already signed the waiver to put her out of her misery. Just a few moments after they let go, she let go too.
***
He was one of the icons of my childhood. I have always known him as one of the gentlest, kindest people on earth. He was American, married to my mom's Filipina aunt, but they would always visit the Philippines when I was younger. He, along with Lolo Tinny, stood as one of my grandfathers when Daddy died. I was never left without a Lolo figure from my mother's side.
They were here last May. I remember how eager I was to attend my uncle's wedding just because Lolo Norman and Lola Baby came here after nine years. (He had been sickly for the past nine years, holding them back from visiting the Philippines often.) I remember when he saw me for the first time after all these years, he said, "Chesca, you've grown to become a beautiful young lady." I hugged him tightly, keeping the image of his kind eyes inside my mind.
I had summer classes then so I wasn't able to spend time with them. I don't know why, on that particular Sunday before their flight back, I wasn't able to come with Mama to bid them goodbye. As a kid, I was used to spending a lot of time with Lolo Norman and Lola Baby. I just wish I could find a reason why I didn't go.
Somehow, I'm consoled by the fact that I got to see him six months ago for one last time. I got to be with him, even for a very short while. But still, I wish I had more time with him before he left us.
I'll miss you, Lolo Norman. Please be one of my angels when you get there.
***
Lola Coring, we weren't really close, but I'm thankful that all my life you've been nice to me. We may not have shared meaningful conversations or "big" moments, but I will remember you. How you'd stop by and listen to me play the piano. How you'd always smile when you see me. How you'd welcome us whenever we'd come to visit, even if my dad was just one of your nephews.
The Tayabas home will never be the same without you.
***
My heart is still heavy and my eyes are tired. But it's so difficult to stop grieving. I wish I could stop.
