Waking Up to Death

Last Tuesday, I was awakened by a phone call from my mom and my kuya. She was crying. The news was that my lola just died. She's my favorite Lola. Me and my cousins call her Grandma. I can fondly remember how nice she (and also my grandad) to us apos, especially my ka-batch cousins and siblings.

We are witnesses to how apos can be spoiled to grandparents. Its unfortunate for the younger grandchildren of this clan because they almost never experienced this. Before, they were still healthy. They can can match any physical activity that we do, playing in streets such as patintero, swimming the whole day till our skins wrinkle and party like there's no tomorrow. It was kind of saddening to see them age, actually. But the happy memories keep them alive and kicking, in my mind.

When I heard of the news, I cried obviously. I talked to my kuya, to my sister, a few of my cousins left in this country. They too, cried. This is all so sudden for us because of the two grandparents, its my grandad who's really really sick. In fact, Grandma is quite the healthy person.

I then, hurriedly booked a flight to Davao (that's where my grandparents live). I left early the next morning.

My mom was there already. Sadly, she's the only anak available. Most are in the States. My other Tita stayed in Manila to fix funeral stuff.

I arrived and gave Grandad a big big hug. Its so so sad to him cry. I almost felt like he wanted to join Grandma inside the casket. Grandad is so weak now and this blow would only make it worse. After spending most of his life with Grandma, it will be really really difficult for him to get over this.

I next hugged my crying mom. I heard from our maid that when she arrived the day before, she asked to open the casket. She hugged my dead grandma so tight. Our maid said it was so dramatic everyone was crying.

Anyway, right at this very moment, I don't feel like crying. I felt that I've cried all the tears when I first heard the news. But who knows, good luck when we bury her.

Its hard to take in a death of a loved one. I think she's my closest relative who died. I don't think I ever want to see a loved one die again.

But that's life.
We all come and go. Sadly.

(We're flying Grandma to Manila on Friday. Her body will lie in Holy Trinity, Sucat, Paranaque.)