remembering the death of a loved one

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On November 2, Filipinos are celebrating the All Souls' Day to remember our loved ones who have passed away. Its an occassion where we go to the cemetery to bring flowers and pray that their spirits will find eternal rest. This ocassion made me think of my grandmother who passed away in 1996. It was my first up close experience with the realities of death and man's mortality. She was not in good condition already that time because of some complications in her respiratory system. She stays in our home and I took care of her personally. At some point, she refused to eat solid food and only takes liquid. I know then that she was just waiting for her time. I talked to her and said if she wants to go and take her rest, she has nothing to fear. I reaffirmed to her that we love her and promised her that I will take good care of my mother (her daughter). As a Catholic, I read to her the prayer for the dying. Later that night, she died in my arms. It was really so painful to lose somebody, much more a close family member. But we are all just mortals and will meet death in our own time. The more we recognize of our mortality, the more we should appreciate our gift of life everyday.