The other day, I learned the passing of Mr. Ben Roderos, the father of one of my childhood friends, Rodel Roderos. He was 74 and died after suffering heart ailment.
"Tiyoy", as he was best known, was a kind and a very good husband and a father of 6. I witnessed how nice he was to Rodel and the rest of his kids. Rodel and I were classmates in Kindergarten. I noticed how responsible Tiyoy was to him. He would fetch Rodel at the school everyday. Up until Rodel was in Grade and Highschool. Unfortunately, during HS, Rodel and I seperated when my family had to move to another place. We then had new sets of friends and lost communications. Although my father and Tiyoy could still often see each other. Tiyoy was one of my father's best drinking buddies. However, my father has stopped drinking alcoholic beverages. He treated Tiyoy as his uncle.
"Tiyoy", as he was best known, was a kind and a very good husband and a father of 6. I witnessed how nice he was to Rodel and the rest of his kids. Rodel and I were classmates in Kindergarten. I noticed how responsible Tiyoy was to him. He would fetch Rodel at the school everyday. Up until Rodel was in Grade and Highschool. Unfortunately, during HS, Rodel and I seperated when my family had to move to another place. We then had new sets of friends and lost communications. Although my father and Tiyoy could still often see each other. Tiyoy was one of my father's best drinking buddies. However, my father has stopped drinking alcoholic beverages. He treated Tiyoy as his uncle.
Tiyoy's family and mine are very good friends. I remember when my father was stubbed by someone and was rushed to the hospital, mum had to watch him all-day. By then, my brother and I were just 5 and 6 years old, respectively, and were not allowed to visit to the patient, as hospital rules. We didn't have any relatives that live nearby our house, so the Roderos took care of us. We live at their humble house for few days and were treated as part of the family.
When my family found out that Tiyoy was rushed to the hospital, we didn't have any thoughts, but go and see him, especially that one of his children told us that his doctor confided that there was no chance of surviving in his case. So my family immediately went to the hospital in the middle of the night. Regardless that mum has to go to work early in the morning the next day.
Tiyoy was comatose in the Intensive Care Unit. Though I didn't go inside the ICU due to the hospital fears, I could feel how hard it was seeing your loved ones unconscious, as I saw the faces of Tiyoy's children. Some were silently crying, others, including Rodel was trying to be strong for their father. The next day, at our house, mum and I were wondering why my father was not still home at 6AM. He used to go home before 6AM from his voluntary job, a baranggay police. But that day, he came home late. He came at 9AM brought the bad news that his once treated uncle passed away.
Tiyoy was a retired Navy. As honor, there was a 21-gun salute during his internment, as the naval marching band played the funeral song. It was so hair raising. Tears fell down, as the remains were pulled down to bury. Relatives and friends sent their sympathies to the family of Tiyoy, and prayed for his soul. May he rest in peace.
Losing loved ones is one of my worst fears. If destiny permits, I would want to be the first to pass before my loved ones. I don't ever want to see the other way around. But then, we do not know when would that happen. That's why with this incident that Tiyoy had, I'm showing more love to my loved ones and I'm now doing my best to make them happier with my company.
"Life Is Hard", as how Miss Julia Campbell entitled her entry which she dedicated to the late father of her friend, which this entry was inspired by.
My family is praying for Tiyoy's soul. May he rest in peace. And, for his family, please stay strong.
What ravages of spirit
conjured this temptuous rage
created you a monster
broken by the rules of love
and fate has lead you through it
you do what you have to do
and fate has led you through it
you do what you have to do ...
and I have the sense to recognize that
I don't know how to let you go
every moment marked
with apparitions of your soul
I'm ever swiftly moving
trying to escape this desire
the yearning to be near you
I do what I have to do
the yearning to be near you
I do what I have to do
but I have the sense to recognize
that I don't know how
to let you go
I don't know how
to let you go
a glowing ember
burning hot
burning slow
deep within I'm shaken by the violence
of existing for only you
I know I can't be with you
I do what I have to do
I know I can't be with you
I do what I have to do
and I have sense to recognize but
I don't know how to let you go
I don't know how to let you go
I don't know how to let you go
1 comment:
My condolences to your friend and his family. They will appreciate your thoughts and prayers.
Post a Comment