The Day Lola Tele Said Goodbye

One of the sad reality in life is death itself. It is probably one the hardest way of saying goodbye to someone we hold dear. The thought that the person who's going to pass to the other side might not even have a chance of coming back is such a mother of heartbreakers.

It was after lunch of July 24, 2009 when I got a message from Sheril telling me she'll pick me up in a couple of minutes. She was at work but she had to go to her Lola Tele's house in Paranaque. So in just a few minutes I already packed a few clothes and some stuff. Indeed, she was already in my apartment in less than 10 minutes. But I noticed she was all teary-eyed.

Her mom let her know that they had to go to Lola Tele's house since it could be the day lola will breath her last.

On our way to Lola Tele's place I've been trying to prepare Sheril for what might happen. But I thought, "Who am I kidding, for sure nothing will comfort her once the dreaded moment would come for Lola Tele to say her goodbye to the people she is gonna leave behind." Lola Tele has become my only lola left since both my lolas from my parents have long been gone. And now loosing the last lola I know could be one sad and painful experience me too.

We were already near Lola Tele's house when Sheril's cellphone rang. She was driving so I had to check who the person on the line was. Her cousin's name registered on the phone and it was then that my heartbeat raced like hell. She grabbed the phone from me and answered it. And there it was, one of the agonizing pain Sheril might ever feel. She was almost drowned in tears while she was screaming in pain for her lola and kept asking why Lola Tele didn't wait for few minutes more. There was nothing I could do since I was also in tears and fighting to control myself not to drown in the sorrow since we were still on the road.

Lola Tele's body was still warm when we arrived at her house. Some of her children and her grandchildren were already at her side, lamenting and crying their heart out, grieving for their beloved lola. One of the tita's even suggested that we try to revive her although they've already tried several times even before we came. Then after a few minutes, all the children came one at a time, rushing and crying.

Later that afternoon, we had to prepare for her embalming and funeral services. I had the chance to be there for the family and glad that I did considering they are my second family here in Manila.