death and dying.....
@Zelmarq (12607)
Cebu City, Philippines
October 5, 2011 10:13pm CST
I attended the burial of Mark Paul ( younger brother of Ate Ann who just died from bone cancer), felt uneasy with this kind of situation. It brings back memories from the past when my father was there in the middle of the isle in front of the altar ( he died from lung cancer) . I brings back scenes that I have chosen to forget but now its so vivid like a movie flashing in my mind. I love purple and its the color of the t shirts of the close friends and relatives who attended the burial, I asked ate anne and she said its Mark's favorite color and the music on the background makes you miss the young boy all the more. Then, the thought came to mind, what color would I want my friends and relatives wear? hehehe, funny, but its a reality, maybe I'd love to see them all wearing pink of brown and I would ask them to play praise and worship songs and some of my favorite songs rather than good bye songs ( Still, I am a C, Reach by 7 S Club, Ang Huling El Bimbo, When I Fall In Love By Elvis presley, Kiss the Rain, 1234 BY Plain White T's, In a Rush By Blackstreet, and all Beatles SOngs, songs by america, England dan, Jim Croce, and Find Me by David Gates). Well, well, well, thats a long list but I'll add more.
I struggled and gave it all the effort to stop the tears from falling but they seem to have minds of their own. A drop escaped and the tears and there they fell one after the other. Im glad I have my sun glasses to hide my tears, but I realized I left my handkerchief wew, what a day.
The priest talked about life, death and dying and the hope of rising again, and talked of the day when we all meet the Creator. Its a relationship, God said in His word that if we repent and acknowledge that we are sinners and accept Him as our Lord and Saviour he will give us eternal lie. Thats why He died on the cross, he died that we may have life eternal. We may have pains and troubles in this world but we do not lose heart for in the end God will embrace us and we will be with Him in Heaven. Theres always hope, like theres rainbow after the rain and tomorrow is another day. Weeping may last for a night but God's joy will renew us in the morning.
Now, mark is no longer in pain, the family will grieve but his memory will remain in their hearts and minds.
7 people like this
8 responses
@trinidadvelasco (11401)
• Philippines
6 Oct 11
Oh, my goodness. My eldest, a daughter, is named Mary Anne and we call her ate aan or ate anne. My second, a son, is named Mark Rodger. A third, Darwin is the one who is suffering from bone marrow cancer. Now, that must be what people call to be bone cancer.
In our home, we fondly call the boys kuya regardless of their ages and, the ladies ate. However, my children always love to call me mommy but, i call them kuya and ate, too. Funny it may sound but it is endearing to be doing it.
My youngest son was foretold to die before reaching the age of 7 by the doctor who has been taking care of him since the first signs of the illness. Darwin then was only a week old. Now, he is already 23 years old and still doing fine. He cannot be subjected to stressful environment though. He only finished the grade school level.
This son of mine is now under my full care. When he survived that day when he was expected to breathe his last, the doctor told me that i am the best qualified person to take care of my son. Doctors will be there to guide me but, i must never admit my son to any hospital. He recovers best in home care, i was told.
My son lives to this day with God's blessings. He is a miracle of life! But seeing him going through so much pains and aches, so much difficulties just to keep on living, i understand why he once said that i should have allowed him to die by letting up on the way i take care of him.
Yes, God works in mysterious ways. So it was with Abraham and Isaac. I am not the reason why Darwin survives to this day, it is God.
Hmm...you are seeing the lighter side of life in that wake when you started thinking about the way your wake will be carried through in the future. I rest assure you, my friend, your love ones and I will never look forward to that day taking place. Take care because a lot of people hold you dearly in their hearts.
@Zelmarq (12607)
• Cebu City, Philippines
7 Oct 11
What a coincidence with names,ate ann my room mate before is now in the US she married an happy indian american and very much happy with her life. She went through pain but loved mark so much. MArk suffered much but he kept the pain to himself until his last breath ate was there holding him, when he said Im going thank you for the help and for the care you have given. It was a story that brought me and ate to tears when she recalled mark's dying moment. But now i know know will no longer suffer pain and is in God's embrace. Life is a journey and while we are alive we live and learn and thank God for everything. We may not have all but what we have is the best and we just have to offer it to God, the trial, the pains and the lesson that comes with it making us better persons in the end.
I am praying for you and your son and your family. You are a strong person and I pray that God will use you all the more for his glory.
Thank you for sharing and have a nice day.
@soapies1973 (931)
• United States
6 Oct 11
This is a very tough time for you. Like you said at least he is out of pain. I have a tumor in my bone and it is very painful so I am sure he was probably in immense pain. He is in a better place and you will always have you memories.
1 person likes this
@ladygator (3465)
• United States
9 Oct 11
You have a good spirit in regards to this. Its always sad when you lose someone. And are right there looking over the one that has passed away. The life is missed but its also that life that we celebrate. And we all have our lives to live and live it as full and complete as we can. Keeping in mind to be a blessing to as many people we can.
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
8 Oct 11
I am so sorry to hear that. It is never easy losing someone close to your heart.
@JJ4Ever (4693)
• United States
7 Oct 11
Hi, Zelmarq. Beautiful discussion, and a great way to pay your respects to those who have passed on. My aunt passed away almost two weeks ago on September 26, 2011. She would've been 59 next month...so young. She battled with MS (Multiple Sclerosis) the last several years, so this end was inevitable. She was such a sweet lady, and I'm glad she doesn't have to suffer anymore. Lying in bed for several years, she had multiple sores on her, but thankfully, she couldn't feel the sores due to her MS. (MS causes the muscles to numb, and she didn't have very good control over movements in her hands. Her legs, she couldn't move at all anymore.) I'm glad she doesn't have to fight this battle anymore. The best part about it is knowing that she's in Heaven. It's it a peaceful feeling knowing your loved one is with God? What a great way to end life here on earth...knowing that the afterlife will be eternal and full of rejoicing. Thanks for sharing this beautiful memory with all of us. I hope that you find comfort in your loved one's passing as well, and that the mourning process is peaceful for you. It definitely takes time and is hard no matter what, but I'm glad that there is hope for us beyond the grave! Take care!!
@naija4real (1291)
•
7 Oct 11
The life is just a crossing point. Life is not permanent. We have to live this earth one day to give account of our stewardship before the lord. We should give our best!
