Yesterday afternoon, Tata Rubeng - my Dad's older brother, passed away.
I was not beside him when he breathe his last.
When I paid him a visit last Saturday when he was still confined in the hospital, I wailed like a kid when I saw him. I never imagined seeing him that weak. He was always the courageous man and will do anything for his family especially for his nieces and nephews. You see, although he is married, he never had a kid of his own.
That afternoon, I cannot help but cry because he was so weak that he can hardly talk. He does not eat much and could not sleep well. My cousins and I were praying for God's guidance and it was that afternoon when we all surrendered Tata to God - His will be done. Nanay (Dad's Mom) asked us, her grandkids, to never stop praying for Tata. We never stopped.
Tata was released from the hospital Tuesday morning. He was the happiest, he said,"Ayaw ko mamatay sa hospital". (I don't want to die in the hospital). He fought hard because, "Gusto ko makita lahat ng pamangkin ko na masaya at stable na, pwde ng pakawalan". (I want to see all my nieces and nephews happy and stable, that they can stand on their own).
Tata was fighting hard for his life until yesterday afternoon, when God said that its time for him to go home. Maybe God could not stand seeing him in great pain.
Yes, the whole family is grieving for we lost Tata but we also celebrate his life. He was not perfect but he was one of the best Tito/Uncle that we can possibly have. When our Dads were not around, me, my siblings and my cousins, looked up to him as our second Dad. He took good care of us as if we are his own.
As my fingers tap the keyboard, my tears fall involuntarily too. I am sad that I won't be seeing Tata in my future anymore. Maybe, I will - in the lifetime after this.
"It's never an easy thing, saying goodbye to a brother firefighter, it's not. And this time, particularly is difficult for me because I watched Jack grow into a, well, into one of the finest firefighters I've ever known. He joined this department because he wanted to help people, who knows how many homes are still standing because Jack was there or how many lives were spared. He gave his life for that cause. We'll never forget you Jack. And we're better for having known you. But I make you this one promise, tomorrow when that bell rings, we will be back on the truck, because you were the bravest of the brave. People are always asking me, how is it that firefighters run into a burning building when everyone else is running out? Well, Jack, you answered that question by saving another man's life. Your courage is the answer. And today we will be as brave as you, by not mourning you, but by celebrating your life. So I'd like everyone to stand up and celebrate the life of Jack Morrison. "
- Chief Kennedy, Ladders 49 - Tata's favorite film.
I was not beside him when he breathe his last.
When I paid him a visit last Saturday when he was still confined in the hospital, I wailed like a kid when I saw him. I never imagined seeing him that weak. He was always the courageous man and will do anything for his family especially for his nieces and nephews. You see, although he is married, he never had a kid of his own.
That afternoon, I cannot help but cry because he was so weak that he can hardly talk. He does not eat much and could not sleep well. My cousins and I were praying for God's guidance and it was that afternoon when we all surrendered Tata to God - His will be done. Nanay (Dad's Mom) asked us, her grandkids, to never stop praying for Tata. We never stopped.
Tata was released from the hospital Tuesday morning. He was the happiest, he said,"Ayaw ko mamatay sa hospital". (I don't want to die in the hospital). He fought hard because, "Gusto ko makita lahat ng pamangkin ko na masaya at stable na, pwde ng pakawalan". (I want to see all my nieces and nephews happy and stable, that they can stand on their own).
Tata was fighting hard for his life until yesterday afternoon, when God said that its time for him to go home. Maybe God could not stand seeing him in great pain.
Yes, the whole family is grieving for we lost Tata but we also celebrate his life. He was not perfect but he was one of the best Tito/Uncle that we can possibly have. When our Dads were not around, me, my siblings and my cousins, looked up to him as our second Dad. He took good care of us as if we are his own.
As my fingers tap the keyboard, my tears fall involuntarily too. I am sad that I won't be seeing Tata in my future anymore. Maybe, I will - in the lifetime after this.
"It's never an easy thing, saying goodbye to a brother firefighter, it's not. And this time, particularly is difficult for me because I watched Jack grow into a, well, into one of the finest firefighters I've ever known. He joined this department because he wanted to help people, who knows how many homes are still standing because Jack was there or how many lives were spared. He gave his life for that cause. We'll never forget you Jack. And we're better for having known you. But I make you this one promise, tomorrow when that bell rings, we will be back on the truck, because you were the bravest of the brave. People are always asking me, how is it that firefighters run into a burning building when everyone else is running out? Well, Jack, you answered that question by saving another man's life. Your courage is the answer. And today we will be as brave as you, by not mourning you, but by celebrating your life. So I'd like everyone to stand up and celebrate the life of Jack Morrison. "
- Chief Kennedy, Ladders 49 - Tata's favorite film.
