Christian Living

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I have experienced death… of a dearest cousin of late. He has served his country as a Philippine Army military officer… and died the most honorable death… in battle. I remember him to be the most protective cousin defending me from annoying playmates. As long as I have him by my side, I knew I can not be harmed. When he was in the military academy, our family would visit him every time we get the chance. I recall my mother, his mother, my cousins, and other Aunts cry when we see him all thin and sickly, his eyes and cheekbones almost popping from the skin on his face. My family wanted to get him out of the constraints of the school and into the nurture of our home. In their native tongue, my mom and his mom would tell him to go home the very instant he feels he can no longer endure the hardships of military school. My Uncle, his late father, couldn’t even look at him out of compassion. But he didn’t budge… always looking straight, always looking forward… as if telling us that everything’s fine… even though it doesn’t appear so. During times when we can bring him home to our Baguio residence, we would serve him his favorite food, and watch him grapple through them barely chewing, to the amazement of my little nephews and nieces. He’d manage a few interesting stories in between. My favorite was the time when he was ordered by his seniors or his upper class (as they are referred to in mil school) to get some pepper. He carefully handpicked the chilliest peppers smilingly hoping his upper class would appreciate. When he came back, they asked him to eat it. His other experiences include being electrocuted in his sleep and eating bathroom tissue for dinner. At first, I thought this was getting out of hand… but Kuya Charlie thought otherwise... saying it’s just part of the training. On his graduation day years later, to the delight of our family, we were greeted by this fine young military man. There’s a confident smirk on his face, his unshaken stance, molded by the years. His passion to serve the country is almost visible on his face… articulated by his words. Finally, we thought, he has achieved what he always wanted. He brought our family tears of joy and relief… pride beyond compare. Our happiness that time have blinded us from the peril that he is about to embark.

I am so loving the newest addition to our family – Baby Melo. He was born just two days short of his mother’s / my sister-in-law’s birthday. I love his protruding mouth always groping for milk. He smiles in his sleep, perhaps dreaming of a world full of milk. He loves his daily bath, exploring and enjoying the feel of warm water on his body. His grandparents are so fond of him, and so is his Auntie. It’s always fun to play with and talk to him, although he can barely see me yet. Can’t wait for the time when he can utter “Tita” or “Jo-bee” (Jollibee). But, as they say, patience is a virtue. He grows up real fast, though. He can barely fir in his little bath tub anymore. He has managed to outgrow most of his clothes in just a short period of time. And he gets very heavy everyday, I think. Ate’s hands are always sore from carrying him. His pedia says he’s almost overweight, probably about four months heavier than average.

Kuya Charlie died on the 15th of June 2009. Come June 16, baby Melo was born. I can’t imagine, how, in less than a week, my family and I would experience emotional extremities. How I mourned Kuya Charlie’s death, I couldn’t get myself to write a eulogy for him, much more deliver one. I still shed a tear for him from time to time but I tell myself that he’s in a better place now, content of accomplishing his mission in life. God has a way of comforting my family with the birth of healthy baby Melo. The happiness we experience whenever we see Melo is indeed, beyond words. I remember Ate was scheduled to give birth on the first week of June, but since my brother had to be out of town on official business that week, they opted to wait. And so, did Melo arrive in the perfect time… bringing joy and comfort to his family when they needed these the most.

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