My mother died yesterday at around 1:30 in the afternoon. We rushed her to the hospital but she was pronounced dead on arrival. The emergency room staff tried to revive her but it was useless.
She had been dying for some tim. She fell and knocked her head a couple of weeks ago. But that only speeded up the deterioration. It was actually the diabetes that was getting her. She had been refusing to see a doctor other than her last one who retired. She passed away two weeks short of her 83rd birthday.
Since last year I had been bargaining with God to keep her with us until 2015. The reason was practical rather than emotional or spiritual. I was saving up for a nice plot in a memorial park where we would bury her and move my father By then too, my brother would be back here after he gets his master's degree from Yale and my sister's kids would both be graduating from college. She would die happy and we would be more prepared.
God answered me with a question. Was I willing to take care of her for that long a time? I was also looking for somebody to take care of her on a full time basis. My excuse was that I needed to keep working t support her needs and mine. The real answer was no because I was wrestling with issues between the two of us A recent retreat in Antipolo helped me face that and I have resolved it to myself three weeks ago.
On the morning she died, my cousin was still here. She was supposed to leave early while my sister had some things to do so they were supposed to wake me up early to stay by her side. Neither of them did what they were supposed to. Mama was breathing hard. They had placed her on the rocking chair to raise her head. My sister was beginning to cry,
My sister eventually went out to get some medicine and look for a priest. She came back with the medicine and the priest Mama received the anointing of the sick and I was actually answering for her. It was actually at that point that I had decided to give her up.
While we were watching her, I noticed her hands and feet were cold. I looked and noticed her fingers were a bit blue. We tried massaging her arms and legs but it was really no use. The digits were still cold.
Her breathing was getting shallower. Her mouth was open We tried our best to keep her awake but she was slipping. Until we went to the hospital, we exerted all efforts. As the priest said, her mind will want to stay alive even as her body gives up.
I am at peace. I don't know if and when I will cry but I know I can go on
Thank you Mama and thank you God
Today at the Bank
I had a biz transaction to complete today so I made a supposedly quick trip to the bank. When I got there however, I realized that was not going to be. So I took my place at the tail of a snaking queue that was fast becoming longer than two king cobras combined.
.
.
The line progressed slowly even as the counter space for five tellers was fully manned. It would definitely be an irritating wait if I don't do something. I began by grabbing and going through the bank's brochures. I chose to keep one that defined investment terms and returned the rest. Still a long way from the counter. I decided to just observe the people in the line with me.
The first to catch my eye was the lady in front of me. She was wearing a gray cardigan over a red turtleneck with a button clasp at the back that formed a little hole. Her hair was braided so the clasp and the hole were visible. There was a blue piece of plastic sticking out of that hole which turned out to be the cover of a ballpoint. The pen was stuck into it and was hidden under the blouse. A little later, her cardigan slid down revealing a second pen lower down the hole. Interesting, most people put it in their hair.
As the line moved, I noticed another lady. She had on a black blouse with a cut out on both sleeves surrounded by beads meant to look like small pearls. She was wearing cargo shorts in an old rose color with the straps unlocked. What really caught my eye were her tresses. They were the same color as her blouse and went down beyond her shorts. When the curving snake put me directly across her, I asked about it. She smiled and said, yes, they were all naturally hers. I'm impressed, really. I wear my hair short because I like it wash and wear, no fuss. Hair like that must use a lot of shampoo, not to mention a very long comb.
There were a lot more to be seen and occupy my time with. The lady behind me had on a pink blouse with a cluster of glittering black beads in the middle of the chest area. Further behind us was a lady clutching what seemed to me to be a formal bag because it had the design of a barong accented with sequins. There was also the couple who clung to each other; the tall tanned guy in black sando embracing the fair skinned girl wearing a white shirt.
As I looked around, I noticed that the dominant color was reds and pinks, followed by black and grays with white following a far third. Does the color mean anything to these people? I was one of the whites because I just wanted to wear the design which was in yellow.
Whatever the reason for being there or for wearing what they did, I hope the over 30 minute wait in that line did not dampen their spirits. It really did not do that to me because with such a long line, I expected to be there longer. Anyway, . . . .
As the line moved, I noticed another lady. She had on a black blouse with a cut out on both sleeves surrounded by beads meant to look like small pearls. She was wearing cargo shorts in an old rose color with the straps unlocked. What really caught my eye were her tresses. They were the same color as her blouse and went down beyond her shorts. When the curving snake put me directly across her, I asked about it. She smiled and said, yes, they were all naturally hers. I'm impressed, really. I wear my hair short because I like it wash and wear, no fuss. Hair like that must use a lot of shampoo, not to mention a very long comb.
There were a lot more to be seen and occupy my time with. The lady behind me had on a pink blouse with a cluster of glittering black beads in the middle of the chest area. Further behind us was a lady clutching what seemed to me to be a formal bag because it had the design of a barong accented with sequins. There was also the couple who clung to each other; the tall tanned guy in black sando embracing the fair skinned girl wearing a white shirt.
As I looked around, I noticed that the dominant color was reds and pinks, followed by black and grays with white following a far third. Does the color mean anything to these people? I was one of the whites because I just wanted to wear the design which was in yellow.
Whatever the reason for being there or for wearing what they did, I hope the over 30 minute wait in that line did not dampen their spirits. It really did not do that to me because with such a long line, I expected to be there longer. Anyway, . . . .
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!
Of Homecomings
Last weekend, I attended my high school's annual homecoming event. This year we were supposed to be in costume based on a scifi character. There were to be prizes for best costume.
A lot of people joined the costume party (I did not, sorry). The top choice for source of inspiration was, not surprisingly the Star Wars series. The alumni association head came as Yoda. There were storm troopers and androids. I think there were a lot of queens and princesses too (meaning Amidala and Leia). Some of the girls in our batch were talking about going as Leia when he was in the camp of Jabba the Hutt.
Anyway, it's really a great time to get together with old friends and classmates. Over the years, I have attended several of these events. It's always a thrill to see old faces and catch up with everybody else.
These events are also used as a call to give back to our alma mater. We are informed of the state of the school, its concerns and maybe some wishes too. Several batches have put up projects so that these concerns and wishes will be known to more people.
Are we proud of our school? We would not be at homecomings, we would not give back if we were not.
A lot of people joined the costume party (I did not, sorry). The top choice for source of inspiration was, not surprisingly the Star Wars series. The alumni association head came as Yoda. There were storm troopers and androids. I think there were a lot of queens and princesses too (meaning Amidala and Leia). Some of the girls in our batch were talking about going as Leia when he was in the camp of Jabba the Hutt.
Anyway, it's really a great time to get together with old friends and classmates. Over the years, I have attended several of these events. It's always a thrill to see old faces and catch up with everybody else.
These events are also used as a call to give back to our alma mater. We are informed of the state of the school, its concerns and maybe some wishes too. Several batches have put up projects so that these concerns and wishes will be known to more people.
Are we proud of our school? We would not be at homecomings, we would not give back if we were not.
Philippine Science High School, let's continue to search for the untarnished truth.
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