Love is Stronger

10080001 (Photo credit: moodboardphotography)

My uncle‘s dog is sitting comfortably on our front lawn, waiting patiently for his owner. The dog accompanies him wherever he goes. When he goes to our house everyday to chat with my dad (as if it has been a long time since they last saw each other, they just never run out of things to talk about), the dog sits on our lawn, observing the surroundings or sometimes taking a nap while the siblings continue to bond. It’s such a nice picture, my dad and uncle laughing out loud on the porch and a furry friend on the lawn.

It would have been a pretty normal thing to have the dog around but not today. It’s my uncle’s birthday.

My mom had goosebumps when she saw the dog sitting comfortably there, it has been a long time since my uncle’s buddy did that. Dad said that it reminds him of the times when he and his younger brother would spend time together talking about anything under the sun. No, they did not have any falling out of any sorts, they remained the best of friends. But then my uncle has left, the Big C took him away. 😦

The diagnosis came out in 2011, it was summer. None of us expected that someone full of life, always laughing, energetic, rarely gets a cold, and still at the prime of his life, in fact has an illness called Prostate Cancer. It’s already in the late stage. According to WebMD, “Prostate cancer is typically a very slow growing tumor, often causing no symptoms until it is in an advanced stage.” That’s exactly what happened to him. The cancer has metastasized to his bones, at first affecting his mobility and then later on his whole body. It was painful to see him go through such suffering, his energy depleting each passing day.

I can still vividly recall the last time we visited him at the hospital, his eyes were dull, gone was the spark and the teasing glint. His sadness permeates, his hands holding on to the railing of the hospital bed, as if trying to hold on to life. The atmosphere that day seemed so heavy, that even the hospital elevator felt like it was grieving. A few days later, less than a year since the diagnosis, he left us.

We miss him very much. He may no longer be physically present but he will always stay in our hearts.

I strongly agree with the person who said that, “Love is stronger than death even though it can’t stop death from happening, but no matter how hard death tries, it can’t separate people from love. It can’t take away our memories either. In the end, life is stronger than death.”

I Know You’re There by Casting Crowns

What if you only have a single breath left? A single song? A single moment? How would you spend it? How would you make the most out of it?

-Casting Crowns-

If all I had was one last breath
I’d spend it just to sing Your praise
Just to say Your name
If all I had was one last prayer
I’d pray it ’cause I know You’re always listening
If I could live a thousand lives, bind the hands of time
I would spend every moment by Your side

’cause I, I know You’re there, I know You see me
You’re the air I breathe
You are the ground beneath me
I know You’re there, I know You hear me
I can find You anywhere

If all I had was one more song to sing
I would raise a noise to make the heavens ring
If all I had was one last chance, I’d take it
I would stake it all on You

If I could raise up high and catch a glimpse of every eye
I would make them believe
What I feel inside

If I could live a thousand lives and bind the hands of time
If I could rise up high and catch a glimpse of every eye

I know You’re there
I know You’re there
I know You’re there, You’re there

Silence

god (Photo credit: the|G|™)

It was the first time I saw you, sleeping peacefully. It was as if nothing in this world could harm you, nothing can disturb you nor hurt you. You looked so calm, it was as if you were finally home. That moment happened years ago, and all I can recall were fragments of what happened during those two days that we spent time with you on that particular summer.

I cannot describe how I felt that day, it was a mixture of awe, regret and sadness. The next day was even worse, for your daughter was trying to call your attention but you would not answer, no matter what she said or did, you did not give her the smile or the hug that you usually give her. You did not utter anything or made any move to approach her and comfort her so that she would stop crying. You did not do anything, and I know it was not what you wanted but there was nothing you can do about it anymore.

Perhaps that moment was too painful, that only fragments remained on my mind. It was your wake when I saw you, I would like to think then that you were just sleeping. But sadly, you were gone, I can say your name a million times but you won’t hear it. I could never get to hear you call my name. That chance no longer exists. We were denied a lot of things. We came for your internment and how I wished the reunion was a happier circumstance, but it wasn’t.

I remember seeing the following words on a card that day:

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free
I’m following the path God laid for me.
I took His hand when I heard Him call;
I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day,
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way;
I found that place at the close of day.

If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared a laugh, a kiss;
Ah yes, these things, I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life’s been full, I savored much;
Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.

Perhaps my time seems all to brief;
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me,
God wanted me now, He set me free.

Perhaps that was your message for us or it was God’s way of letting us know that you were finally home; free from pain, sorrow, and all the things in this world that has hurt you.

It was the first and last time I saw you. You were too young to die. Under circumstances that were beyond our control, we lived separate lives. You were the brother I never met but you are greatly missed.

Inspiration

Image via Wikipedia

Most of us have icons that we look up to, people whom we want to be like. They can be famous figures, persons who are well-known ages ago or at present, they can be simple people we admire for certain reasons, they can be our parents or someone from the family. Some people look up to their teachers, others want to follow the path of influential historical figures like Plato, Aristotle, Hemingway, Mark Twain, Gandhi, Thomas Edison, Mozart, or Einstein to name a few. The list of names are endless.

It is okay to have an icon, someone we can take inspiration from in order to succeed. BUT we must consider certain factors in choosing.

1. VALUES

Does/Did this person have positive values that can help me become a better person?

2. LIFESTYLE

Does/Did this person promote a healthy and positive lifestyle ?

3. RELATIONSHIP

Does/Did this person have healthy relationships with his/her family, friends, and colleagues?

4. LESSON

What lesson/s can I learn from this person that can help me achieve my goals?

5. CONTRIBUTION

By having this person as an inspiration, what can I contribute to the fund of knowledge or the world (even in my own simple ways)?

6. IMPACT

What positive impact did this person have in my life that I want to be able to pass on to other people?

7. SPIRITUALITY

Does/Did this person live his/her life to glorify and honor the Creator?