Thursday, August 16, 2007

the impact of a goodbye

If you’re not a politician nor a movie star, just an ordinary person, the day you are lowered beneath the green grass, you will know if you have served your purpose in life and how much you’re loved depending on the number of people who showed up for your service and based on what they say about you. If the number is great and the comments are positive, then you rest in peace even happier. Sad if it is otherwise, at least you are gone anyways.

A relative passed away recently. The visitation chapel was full; the church for the final service was nearly full as well. People of different races were there, Catholics and Non-Catholics alike, united solemnly, paying their last respects. How did the departed managed to make all these people appreciate his existence so much? What was his formula for living life in successful harmony with those he came in contact with? He was a genius, smart and capable of doing a lot of things, yet exceptionally humble. He is quiet and private yet approachable and always ready to help. Never a complainer or a critic, he lived simply and honestly. People burst in tears, me included, upon hearing his favorite song played last.

When I find myself in times of trouble, mother Mary comes to me,
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me,
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.
And when the broken hearted people living in the world agree,
there will be an answer, let it be.
For though they may be parted there is still a chance that they will see,
there will be an answer. let it be. Let it be, let it be…
And when the night is cloudy, there is still a light, that shines on me,
shine until tomorrow, let it be.
I wake up to the sound of music, mother Mary comes to me,
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.

The departed left the family with too much crying, he left me with important lessons in life to work on until my final hour. I thought to myself, if only half of the number of people there will show up in mine, if only half of the number of people who will show up truly appreciated my existence, if only half of the number of people who will show up will say I have impacted their lives in a good way, then it will be the happiest passing.

(In honor of Ike...we'll remember)