with apologies to Robert Schumann and Franz Schubert
Today, I woke up early and attended the funeral mass for the dad of a good friend of mine.
Azrael was kind this time around. It was the time of the moon when he decided to minister his angelic duties to Tito. It was a peaceful passing. Tito was reposed in sleep, and quietly slipped into the night.
-----
The service went beautifully. Two of my favorite choirs, the Philippine Madrigal Singers and the Ateneo Chamber Singers jointly sang my good friend's compositions and arrangements. To say that it was touching is understating it. Their intermingled voices caressed the aching heart; a balm for the weary soul. Though I refrain as much as possible from all matters concerning singing, I couldn't help but join them in raising my voice in song.
It was my own simple offering of thanks to Tito, and a gesture of genuine support for my good friend.
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When the sermon started, I let my attention wander around the chapel. I couldn't help but notice that there was a copious amount of flowers. They all bore tidings of condolences to the family. However, there was one particularly large wreath that caught my attention. All the flowers in that arrangement were still fresh-looking save for single daisy. It was starting to brown at the edges, its petals bended and wilted. I was half-tempted to pluck it out of the wreath, but I held back my impulse. Despite the wiltedness, the daisy was still needed to complete the whole arrangement. If I took it out, there would be a conspicuous gap, and the arrangement would be obviously incomplete.
For some reason, a poignant realization crossed my thoughts.
Death is but part of life. No matter how it leaves a mar in the lives of those who have been bereaved, it is still an integral part of the whole.
Life begets Death, and Death, in turn, begets Life.
Life and Death, Death and Life - two sides of the coin that bookmarks the cycle of the cosmos, and our journey as well.
Sighing, I turned my attention back to the sermon.
Life begets Death, and Death, in turn, begets Life.
Life and Death, Death and Life - two sides of the coin that bookmarks the cycle of the cosmos, and our journey as well.
Sighing, I turned my attention back to the sermon.
wow. interesting post. it seems like i've read an entry of the daily bread.
ReplyDeleteto eternal repose. i feel you.
Beautiful, placid reflection, mein herr.
ReplyDeleteDanke.
I wish to think that the wilting Daisy reminds us that in loss and in grief, everything is equal.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written entry Ternie.
Andrei: i think i'll burn if i write for the daily bread wahahahahaha
ReplyDeleteRuddie: bitte, mein heiß Freund ;)
Galen: you've succembed to the pressure and are now calling me ternie, too!
ugh. engel, i swear, this is all your fault.
hahahhaha
thanks galen :)
i remember what my college prof said about death and dying,
ReplyDelete"it is only natural for man to fear death. for it is natural for man to fear what they don't understand"
well, this is with regards of to the point of view of the one who's dying or dead.
but yeah, life and death are two parts of a whole. a whole which we call existence.
one more thing, this is a busilak, mayumi and dalisay post. :) me likey.
Max: i AM dalisay, busilak, and mayumi.
ReplyDeletewhy do people have a had time believing that?!
lolz
plucking the wilted daisy off the wreath?!
ReplyDeletePakialamero!!!
Hahahaha.
Nice entry Ternie
sorry naman.
ReplyDeletelumalabas lang ang non-existent pagka-oc ko,
wahahahaha