“mete ne apu mu”

Got this text from my mom early morning of April 23 (Sunday). It actually means, “your lolo is dead already”. It’s in kapampangan, dialect of Pampanga and Tarlac. I was sad of course but relieved in a way. He has been bed ridden for quite some time now and at 85, I thought he deserves his much needed rest already. But he waited, I really think he did, or was it destiny?

Six years ago, on the same day, almost on the same time, my lola, his better half for more than 60 years passed away. The though of this makes me shiver.

But I’m happy. Weird isn’t it? But I am. He died, yes he did, but I know he had long wanted to end his misery. After all he was too weak to even move and more so talk. The four corners of his room was all he could see. And for the last two weeks, he didn’t seem to know anything at all. He closed his eyes, barely opened them and told his children his time has come. But he waited for the right moment before finally giving in. And it was perfect, the perfect time.

“To my lolo, may you rest in peace. I know you’re happy…you’re with lola already. Thank you for everything. You will always be an inspiration to all of us. We love you. “