The Power of Goodbye

Many of us have been through a series of goodbyes and hellos in our lives. That which tells us when a door closes, a tiny window opens.Whatever life takes us, we just have to go with the flow.


People have differing opinions on how to deal with life's struggles. Just this afternoon, I chanced upon a compilation of sorts of uplifting emails by a Filipino writer, excerpted from Bill Gates article, "Life's never fair. Learn to live with it."
Indeed.


I have seen it. I have felt it. I am a living testament of such. More so with my family.
As we have carefully wrapped up the commemoration of my brother's second death anniversary in the last week of August, his actual passing date Aug 31st, but we have had a requiem mass held in their honor last Sept 19, 2010, I can't help but feel bad and sad.
Thinking about his death, would always mean a heart-wrenching pain unequal in its intensity and depth. Aside from the gruesomeness and the macabre associated with it, and excuse me for sparing you the details since his murder case is still being heard at our local judicial circuit, it is doubly painful to reminisce that God had called him soon after we have lost our father in his fight with the Big C (and I was fortunate enough to share his last 9 days with him just as I resigned from my Qatar ordeal).
Sometimes, we can't help but question our faith. It is but human to seek for answers; for we have been created to be inquisitive and learn about the world with which we live in. Yet, how can we ask for an answer when God doesn't answer us back?
You know, as my mother had impressed upon me, God may not give a sure YES in every prayer. He may even answer it with a NO.
Worse, you may feel He has turned his back on you. You know why, it's because He wants you to be carried by Him and ride via piggy-back. That's when you feel solace, because He can only be the answer to your problems.
So whenever I reminisce our painful existence, I always feel a tug in my guts. Not because I am angry at Him, but because I feel their transcendence.


Their death is a stirring reminder of who I am. A significant factor for what I can be. A powerful memento to what I ought to be.

And as I venture again into a new chapter in my professional life, I too, shall leave and be called upon again to serve.
It is my duty to be of service to my countrymen. It is my duty to serve my fellow people, irrespective of social class, economic stature or even physical attributes.
This is what they have shown me all throughout their lives.
And as I say goodbye to the people whom I have come across with, whom I have called as my professional family, I am filled with the spirit that I left a mark of genuine service they can emulate and be proud of.
This is my goodbye. This is my hello. AD78