TALE OF THE THREE LOVES *

I have four great loves - my father, papa ver, tatang and kuya. I consider these four men my 4 great loves and my 4 pillars. I've lost my first three pillars over the years and it was really painful saying goodbye to each one.

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My father died when I was 9 years old back in 1994. My papa ver (my mom's brother) became like a father to me but peacefully joined his creator in 2003. I will never forget what he said before he died. Carefully with the last few steps of his life, he said "Ito na ang pinakamasayang laro ng buhay ko" pertaining to his last set in Tennis. After that, he fell on the ground and stunned his tennis-mates. My tatang (my grandfather from mom's side) died infront of his wife and his daughter. He waited for my tita (from school since she's a teacher) and my lola from the bank (who had funds transferred that same morning) before he had one last look of them and eventually died. That's what he wanted - to die peacefully.

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The most painful was losing my grandfather bcos he taught me many things about life. I remember how puzzled he looked like when he sees me with very big bug-eyed sunglasses. I kept on telling him I was an artista who came to visit him. To this date, I regret not spending the last 4 weekends with him bcos last year I was busy with work. Fortunately, I know my last memories of him were the ones were he was smiling, drinking his daily brandy with peanuts, sneezing with echoes, wearing his famous white sando and shorts, etc. The saddest part of this is the woman she left behind - my grandmother. Losing a husband boils down to the pain of waking up one morning that that he is not there and that he will never come back no matter what. Imagine for 60 years my grandmother saw that face and that she stopped seeing that face one day. I couldn't blame her to this date she has never stopped crying about it.

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Many death stories remind you of how finite you are. Everything around you will be gone in the same way that you will eventually perish. Life is indeed short so let's stop waking up hating someone (Yes, please remind me os this!). Life is indeed short so let's stop waiting for people and making them wait for us. Life is indeed short so let's seize the moment (whatever it is) and just enjoooooy. Wherever my first 3 great loves are, I hope they have finally found The light. May they rest in peace. :)