Today is my brother’s 8th year death anniversary.  In remembrance of his life, his wife scheduled a mass near his grave site.  It was surreal, 8am, and the day started off quite early for me.  Having done my work prior to changing and heading for Greenhills Memorial Park in Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City, I quickly whipped breakfast for my children and took a cab. Ever since my brother died, I have not been to his grave site.  Having...

I have just received news that the mother of my friend Melba has just passed away.  I sincerely know how she feels right now.  This news brings back memories when my own mother died two years ago. Not only that, this reminds me of the death of my older brother Joemen almost 5 years ago.  Death of a family member is not new and for the longest time, I can say that the feeling of loss eventually fade but the memories linger. I hardly remember...

It would be my mom’s first death anniversary next month, and needless to say, since most of my siblings are out of the country, I will be taking charge of the arrangements since my father is preoccupied with someone.  Darn! Since my mother is Catholic and religious, I thought that it would be appropriate to follow her belief and practices with concern to the remembrance of her death.  This would mean, the usual 9-day novena, then the big...

…You may suffer bereavement, but life does not stop. It goes on… Satyajit Ray (1921-1992), Indian Film Director, Deliverance. It would be my brother’s 6th year death anniversary on the 25th. It has been awhile since I have thought of him, but death has been discussed recently and unlike some people I have become comfortable discussing death with my children. Joemen, my brother died at the age of 42. He died from myocardial...

Childhood is the kingdom where nobody dies. Nobody that matters, that is. Edna St. Vincent Millay (1892-1950), U.S. Poet I had a very interesting night. My second daughter asked me a striking question. “Will I die also?” Ofcourse the question did not come out just like that. It started with the conversation about rats and how we needed to keep our house clean so rats will not feast on our crumbs in the kitchen and bedroom (as my...