This is my first post for the year. While others had a rather loud welcome to the new year, my family and I were quite subdue. If we're friends in any social networking sites, you're probably aware that the last days of 2016 were already a bit sad for us. My uncle was rushed in the hospital and spent his last days in a coma. We prayed and kept vigil but as God's will prevailed we bid Kuya Henry our goodbyes on the 1st day of 2017.
 |
| Family pictures aren't going to be the same without you... |
It hasn't been long since he passed away and it's still hard not to think about him or mention his name in our conversations. It feels surreal that he isn't with us anymore. Since we lived in a compound, we basically see each other every day. I often spend my afternoons hanging out with him or watching volleyball with him. Mind you, it's the only sports I love watching, (aside from soccer for an entirely different reason) since once upon a time I played it and Kuya Henry had been my coach too.
In addition to this, in just a few more days, Kuya Henry and his widow would have celebrated their wedding anniversary. I still feel bad when I think about his family as he wasn't able to say goodbye to any of his children. I guess God has it all figured out, it may not make much sense to us in this lifetime but we are accepting that our loss is heaven's gain. Isn't it nicer to think that God is probably rounding up his angels and all the people that have served their purpose in Earth than to dwell on the hurt and feed our anger on the unfairness of it all? Besides, I don't think Kuya Henry would be happy knowing that we are doing the latter.
 |
| Kuya Henry (far left), Dylan, me and Kuya Al in a family outing years ago |
As I think about it, his family still had a good Christmas, it was simple but more than enough to be remembered. I spent my Christmas with them and was beyond grateful that I didn't have to spend the holiday by myself. I cannot expound much on Kuya Henry's good traits as I as I don't want to sound patronizing. Moreover, I know I'll end up crying a river by the time I finish this post. And it isn't like he's here to appreciate such words anymore :(
 |
| Kuya Henry, Lucas, Dylan and me |
But I tell you this, he was the head of a family for almost 28 years, a husband to Ate Josie, a father to Gine, Cha, Abe and Jake; the youngest brother to my father Jun, my aunt Susie, and uncle Boy for 57 years; an uncle to 'Nang Abby, Kuya Randell, Kuya Al, Ate Jac, Kuya Jesse, Ate Joan, Kuya Jojo, Ate Ka, Pedro and myself; a lolo to Faith, Aedyn, Dylan, Lucas, AJ and Maco.
He was an average man in terms of how he lived his life. He had his quirks and sometimes it was hard to understand his humor, but he was funny all the same. He had his bias may it be in politics or sports. He liked going out, strolling in malls or watching the movies, even if it meant going by himself. He liked browsing the newest appliances, spent his free time either tinkering the broken umbrellas or simply chilling in the veranda with his cup of coffee and phone browsing his Facebook. He spent his mornings reading the daily's and accompanying Ate Josie who sells morning meals and at times, he would go off to see the youngest in our clan, Maco.
 |
| A visit to our grandparents in 2013 |
He renewed his faith and tried to live by God's words. He was a flawed man, just like the rest of us, but he was a good one and he had lived his life the best he could. It is our hope that he has nothing more to worry about, that he has gone with no regrets, no more of worldly things to hold him down. It still makes me teary-eyed when I remember Kuya Henry but I know that what I'm feeling doesn't come at par with what his children are feeling. It would take some time for us to remember him without feeling down or crying but in due time; after all, no parting was easy.
 |
| See, I told you he was funny! Goodbye Kuya Henry, until our next chikahan, let's see who delivers the better punchline, ok? |
― Walt Disney Company
photo credits to: Alpo, Cha, Jia
No comments:
Post a Comment