It has been five days since my tatay’s cremation and it’s only now that I’ve had the courage to take a look at all the photos and remember once again.
The wake was like a mini-reunion for all my relatives on both my father and my mother’s side. We were all there to show our love and offer prayers to my tatay who had gone to be with our creator.
My tatay’s bff, Mang Pedring and his daughter was there as well as Mang Teddy’s daughter. Kumareng Badet and my bff, Bren also came. I was surprised to see a many of our neighbors and I couldn’t thank them enough for their condolences.
I was touched when Chele and Jerome of my Stratworks Family came, I felt the love and sympathy.
I know I couldn’t thank each and everyone but I’d like to say thank you to all those who offered their sympathy, condolences, and prayers.
January 7, 2016
My tatay’s cremation is scheduled at 3pm. That morning, sis and my tita eva started cleaning out some of the drawers and cabinets at home. Sis found my nanay and my tatay’s senior citizen’s booklet in one of the drawers. We’ve been looking for it for almost a month! My nanay kept it but since she had been having problems remembering things (nag-uulyanin na), she didn’t remember where she kept it when we needed it.
Together with the senior citizens booklet were cards I gave my tatay back when I was still in grade school and some of his photos. Plus a cut out of a poem from a magazine or a newspaper. These things he kept in his drawer for as long as I can remember. I never paid much attention to the poem up until that thursday morning.
Tears came streaming down my eyes when I started reading it…..
It says…
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free,
I’m following the path God laid for me.
I took his hand when I heard his call,
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day,
To laugh, to love, to work, to play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way,
I’ve found that peace at the close of the day.
If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
Ah yes, these things I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow,
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My Life’s been full, I savoured much,
Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch,
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me,
God wanted me now, He set me free.
I didn’t know why he kept this poem. I don’t know if it’s a coincidence that sis found it on the day of tatay’s cremation. It might be tatay’s way of telling us not to grieve and that he is okay….
I know my tatay is in a much happier place now. I know he is already at peace.
We will always love and remember him.
