Acceptance of Death

Dear KNOT,

Itago niyo na lamang po ako sa pangalang Ponggoy. Ako po ay isang masayahing bata. Lumaki po ako sa poder ng aking Lolo at Lola dahil nagtatrabaho po ang aking mga magulang sa ibang bansa. Ngayon ay nasa 1st year college na po ako sa isang diocesan school dito sa Davao. Masaya naman po ako sa aking pag-aaral. Sa katunayan, ako po ang nagiging highest sa mga exams namin.

Ang masayahin ko pong aura ay nagbago nang nalaman ko na may sakit po ang aking lola. Nadiskubre po ng aming pamilya ang kanyang karamdaman nang siya po ay biglang nahimatay habang nagtitinda ng saging sa kanto namin. Halos isang buwan po siyang nasa ospital, at kinalaunan po, siya po ay sumakabilang buhay.

Hindi ko po halos matanggap ang nangyari sa aking lola. Itinuring ko na po siyang tunay kong ina. Minsan tinatanong ko ang Panginoon kung ano po ba ang nagawa ko at bakit pinarusahan ako ng ganito. Normal lang po ba ang nadarama kong ito?

Lubos na gumagalang,

Ponggoy

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Dear Ponggoy,

Death is one inevitable reality in life where no one is exempted. Others may just leave ahead of us in whatever manner — sometimes through illness, accident, calamities, a victim of crimes, etc. But one thing’s sure, sooner or later our time will also come.

Losing someone dear to us for the first time indeed leaves a deep sense of sorrow and emptiness within. Everything around seems to be at a standstill and at times we just could not accept this reality. Yes, questioning God as to why this happens to someone closest to us, or what have we done to deserve this loss, or perceive this as God’s punishment are but normal human reactions to such situations. You are not alone in this experience of bereavement.

You may not fathom the answers to your questions but definitely God will answer them if not sooner then maybe later. He will convey His message through prayer and reflection, persons, events, and other means.

As Catholics, through our Creed, we profess that we “believe in the communion of Saints…”. This signifies that we can communicate with our loved ones who have left this life to join our Heavenly Father. Hence, your Lola is just a prayer away, you can pray for her, or pray through her. You have someone up there who will be watching over you. In fact, she is no longer limited by her physical body just like when she was still in this world, but is much more closest to you wherever you are, at any given time. She will guide you, guard you, strengthen you, etc. Isn’t this a great consolation, a reason to celebrate your Lola’s life?

God bless you.

Love,

Ate Emily Madrona

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