I wrote the first
draft on August 21, 2010, Saturday, 5:17:08 AM but somehow wasn’t able to
finish it. Was it perhaps because I find it hard to let go or because I
was just never really good at showing emotions? Either way, it shouldn’t stop me from sharing
three greatest I lessons I’ve
learned from Auntie Jackie.
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Lesson no.1: Live. Do what you love to do and be
where you are most needed.
More than anyone
else in the family, she was very much supportive with my adventures. One memorable conversation I had with her was
months after she was diagnosed with cancer. We talked about my discernment for
international missions. Without a blink of an eye she told me to go for it.
“If it will make
you happy and you believe that it’s where you ought to be, God will be there,”
- a very strong statement from someone who was weakened by her chemo therapy.
And so, I rest my case.
Lesson no. 2: Laugh. It was through her that I really
learned about choosing to be happy no matter what.
I heard a lot of
stories from my mom about how Auntie Jackie cracked jokes (even during the
times when she was already bed ridden). Allow me to share two.
Legs paralyzed,
she requested her husband to change the curtains but (for some reason) my uncle
wasn’t paying any attention, so she acted as if she was mad and said “unsa man?
Di ka mo ilis ana kay mo bagun ko dri akoy mo ilis ana?”
Another one was
when she pretended like she’s mad with her husband, because according to her, my
uncle was not taking care of her anymore. It was so dramatic that she even made
my mom and grandmother cry. But when her husband left, she told grandma: “ayaw
lang ug apil ug hilak ma kay ako lang gani to gidrama-dramahan si Alex”.
With her
situation, human as she is, I think it was acceptable for her to be grumpy,
more so complaining, I would understand if she’ll be bitter over life, yet even
with those, she chose to be happy and in the process, brought happiness to
others.
Lesson no. 3:
Dying is inevitable so love while
you still have the chance.
When Auntie
Jackie was diagnosed with cancer, everyone was shocked but nobody gave up. With
high hopes we fought. With prayers, we stood and claimed that she will be
alright. Yet even with perseverance and persistent divine petitions, her body
failed her. Then it hit me: dying is not
a question that is answerable by “yes” or “no” but an issue of “how” and
“when”.
Given this fact
we shouldn’t waste any opportunity. Auntie Jackie’s death was not just a
reminder for me, but for all of us to constantly affirm and reaffirm our
special ones with our love for them.
I would like to
thank my parents who tirelessly cared for Auntie Jackie. I’ve seen how loving
can they be. I’ve never realized how lucky I am to have parents like them.
Passionate, warm and devoted, I honor such love.
**
Did I mention that she was very
instrumental in my missionary life? Well, she definitely was and will always
be. Thanks to her, a year after my last reflection, I
was able to find enough inspiration to pray and write again. Two years after her death and she still inspires me.
She might be gone,
but with all the lessons Auntie Jackie taught me, she will forever live.
May she truly
rest in peace in God’s loving arms.
