Death

Death is inevitable. Sooner or later we will be on a permanent slumber, 6 ft below ground. Scary. I don’t know, but in my current state of mind, I don’t think I am ready to die. I have a lot of things yet to do for my family and for myself. Hehe.

It is also a bit tricky. I mean, you will never know when are going to have your last breath. It may come all of a sudden or it will tease you for a very long time. I still can’t decide which one I would prefer. Go back to the first paragraph. I am not yet ready.

One of my friends was on his early thirties when he died of cancer. We came from the same company and were assigned in Japan for a couple of months. He had a very bubbly personality, managed to flash a smile to anyone. I used to call him Idol! After he came back from Japan, I went home months earlier; he had experienced some headaches and later was diagnosed as cancer. After three to four months, he finally left his wife and two children. Rest in peace, Idol!

Kanpai
for Idol 1970-2004

If Idol had experienced a slow pace of death, my other friend, Migz, had an abrupt one. He was an ROTC officer and an engineering student before shifting to a different career. One of his passions is flying and he studied in Batangas for a relevant course. When he was in his senior year (if I remember it correctly), he tried to fly a plane not knowing that would be his last flight. The plane crashed and so his young life at 25. Rest in peace, Migz!

Paper Planes
for Migz 1977-2003

There are different faces of death and all of them are painful. But I think the most painful one is to see the parents mourning and grieving by the death of their child. Parents always say that they should not bury their children or that effect. It is not fair to have their children die before them.

Room for Rent

Reserve this room for me, Daddy,
no Disney characters in it, only
maroon curtains. But it is okay.
Would that be fine?

Anything you ask, son,
I’ll look over you while you rest.
Look at the lights, like the neon stickers;
just relax, tomorrow’s a big day.

Thanks, Daddy,
Would you drive me towards the camp?
I can’t forget the first time I rode with you
in our red Volkswagen.

Just as promised, son,
everybody seems happy to welcome you,
see that green tent
with your name in gold letters?

Very clear, Daddy,
got to go now, the place is dark
but I know the trek on this alley is short.

Hush now, son,
go on, enjoy your new place;
I’ll visit you everyday
on this Camp of Silence.

I hope I will be ready when my time comes. But can I predict when will it be?

/totomai
07/22/07