Our Tatay Tonying
Filed Under Personal
Last weekend, the whole family went home to Mindoro for the wake and burial of my uncle, Antonio. We fondly called him ‘Tatay Tonying’ and he’s one of the older brothers of my father. It was due to cancer of the lungs, among other complications. He died last July 4. Coincidentally, that day is also the birthday of his older brother, Jovit. The sad news came while Tito Jovit is preparing for his birthday celebration.
But the family wasn’t all surprised. As a matter of fact, the family has already prepared for it. He was diagnosed early this year after he was brought in Manila for a more comprehensive test. During Mamang’s(my granny) birthday last January, family and friends noticed something is wrong with his skin and he was persuaded to take further medication here in Manila. Around early March when the bad news was announced. Additional tests showed that it’s only a matter of time before die.
It was a sad news indeed but in the end, we looked at it as a God’s blessing in disguise. The findings prompted all the people around him to show love while he is still living. And we were given ample time to do that. In the days before his death, people that matters to him were all around him. And at the time of his death, he is lying on his mother’s arms. What more can you ask?
He is also prepared of things to come. It may be mind boggling to think about it but we all know that everybody will go that direction. He, his son(Kuya Adel) and my father just went there ahead of us. More than anything, it is love and faith in God that prepared him. That’s also true for his family, relatives and friends and it made easy for everybody to accept it.
So to my Tatay Tonying, may you rest in peace and bring our love wherever you are today. God bless us all.
p.s.
As I always say, it does not matter how long you lived here on earth but how you lived your life. Life is short and we must make the most of it. With faith in God, happiness is in easy reach. Jesus has thought us well through the Bible and all we need to follow his footsteps.