Death is an inevitable pat of life. We cannot say we live unless we die. We know not white if there is no black; day without night and right from wrong.
Death comes in the most unexpected time. At times we cannot comprehend or accpet why its has become of anyone.
Though this is an accepted logic of living, the pain that death brings can be sa hurting to the point - unbearable.
We grieve for the death of people we love becuase we have to. But after that we have to move on.
I have seen, like anybody else, a lot of death in my life, each has unique hearting-tearing story.
My close encounters
Not once did I come close to it, I could still clearly remember when I was little (I was not even at school then; I attended school at grade 1) my sister and her friends were playing on top of piled wooden planks which will be used for the renovation of our house. I was watching their frolic at the same time watching over my baby brother on a stroller. Suddenly a thud was heard and I could see the planks piling over me. Then, strong thud, and another one, and then some more. It was a series of deafening banging of wooden planks piled against my frail body.
From the outside, I could hear fain shouting, “ang bata!” (the baby)” I don’t know if that holler of concern was for me or for my baby brother. Inside, I was lying real straight, breathing normally, surprised at what happened and how quick things were happening. I could see the planks of woods piling like dome or a niche barely touching my skin. I was unharmed.
There was panic from outside. People, including my father and mother, pulled the planks as fast as they could. When the last piece was removed, we were awed at how not a scratch was on me. (Unbelievable, is it? Up to now, I still wonder how it happened.)
Here’s another one. I was grade 5 then, very active, very playful. We had a mango tree right at the back of our kitchen. Some of its branches reach over the kitchen roof and its leaves touching the roof. The mago tree was high and heavy laden with golden fruits. Those “golden” mango were very attractive to my eyes that I volunteered to watch over it until they're big enough for eating.
So the day came, when it was good enough for our “harvest.” Since it was I who "guarded" it I was granted to do what I wanted to do. Because of my high level energy I volunteered to climb and do the harvesting. I was excited. The first branch was no hassle. Everything looks juice, sweet and the green once sour enough for the Filipino taste buds. Then next level, all clear. Up and higher I went. At this point the branches were thinner and it sways a lot. I was overly confident that I’m good at climbing, people below me were shouting, drop some more. And I shouted back, ok reserve for me the best, ha. Then there i saw one "golden harvest" naturally ripe near the tip of one thin branch. I “assessed” the situation, then decided to go for it assuming that I was light enough. I inch in, closing to the mango which was an apple to my eye. An arm reach away, I heard some crackings… eehhkk… ehhekkkk says the branch. I did not mind it.. so closer I moved in. Then, BOO! I was falling at a speed of gravity with only leaves between my legs…. BANG! I hit the ground! Their mouth and eyes wide open though some were close, I stood up and shouted “ako tong manga nga hinog!” (That ripe mango is mine.) What a big laugh it was.
Later did I realize how when my mother talked to me how tragic it would have been. Despite what happened, I never feared of climbing trees, ever… wanna challenge me… next time na lang I still have a lot stories to tell.
Next. When I was little I used to play alone. I read alone, I watch tv alone. It’s not that I don’t like to play with other children. But I just like to play alone. That simple, ok. So one time I was alone, I saw a candle and a match. The spark of the match was really enticing, so I scratch it, the tip burned and gone out. Then I scratched another, it sparked, it burn and went off… Then I lit the candle. The candled looked meek, it was gentle, its light swayed to the mild blow of air, it cried. I placed on a glass, its foot at the corner bottom of the glass and the body slanted towards the kitchen wall. Our kitchen wall was made of old wood. But not the hard ones, when the it caught the light of the candle, It flared up. To my surprise, I wasn’t able to move. I was shocked at how meek and genlte “light” has turned into fire. I was standing there when suddenly a gush of force jolted me out of where I was stading, it was my father.
So our kitchen was half baked, or for meat, rarely done. The ceiling was black with sooth and some wholes were carved in. I… I was scolded to sleep.
Grade 6. It was the most horrifying experience of my life then. We were aboard in one of the M/V Princesses of Sulpicio ship lines on our way to the first asean Jamboree for the boy Scouts to be held in Laguna. We left
Night came and I learned we were already traversing the Surigao trench said to be the deepest trench in the
When we were about to sleep. We felt the boat shook a bit, and ride along a wave. Then some more ups and downs… It rained, as we were at the economy class, I could feel the wind and the droplets of rain. The gush of wind went stronger and it become stronger as we cruise along. The ship swayed more and riding along bigger waves this time.
On our bed, we felt tossed to the left, then to the right,left again.. some bags from top fell, emplty soda cans run left to right… we waves were getting bigger and bigger, the splashing of seawater stronger too.. our scout master prodded his way towards us and distributed life vests.. I received mine but did not put it on.. I just embraced it. Then we heard the captian of the ship, leading us to pray the holy rosary. Some aged women responded more moudly to the prayer. I was seated in the corner of my bed, as we were tossed left and right, up and down.. some bags and cartons were also running to and fro… left and right.. Then there was wave when the ship sided to the right at longer time, there were already shouting somewhere. Then side to the left a little longer this time.. more shouting was heard…. It went like that the whole night through.
I could not remember whether the captain included the Litany of the virgin Mary but I'm sure it ended with a big amen. After the prayer the sea was not pacified… we were still tossed left and right… but people were silent to death as in no human sound was heard except to some interruption from the captain through the PA calling some names of presumbaly ship crew members. I wen to sleep curling up in the upper corner of my bed clinging to one of the the four bedposts.
Morning came. WOw, it ws totally a different day! (Gushed everyone, i guess). No signs on big waves were eveident on the clear blue skies and deep blue waters.
Later that day, we learned that we indeed went to a typhoon.. good for us the captain was able to maneuver the ship to a safety cover in one of the islands in southern leyte.
And near death stories are counting...
