At the age of 49 my uncle Jun died…
It was a sunny Saturday afternoon when my cellphone rang receiving a terrible news from my sister. When I’ve read the message, I couldn’t wrap my head around the thought that our uncle just died. My mind then suddenly takes me to the last time I saw him, circa 2017. He was full of life and he always throw jokes here and there. I couldn’t picture him lying and lifeless. I’ve asked myself, “How can someone be here and then the next day they’re totally gone?” I’ve snapped myself out from that thought and send a crying Pusheen sticker to my sister instead. I don’t know what to say. I don’t know how to sugar coat the incident and make us all feel better specially for my father as I know it’s far more difficult for him. I thought of saying that at least now he’s at peace and doesn’t have to painfully battle all the complications, physically and emotionally. When you thought about the death of a love ones in that way, it somehow eases the grieving. But what about the things that he still wants to do in this life? What about the things left unsaid?
Uncle Jun was a son, a brother, a husband and a father. He might have lived his life quite differently from the others. It has been a precarious escapade I would say, based on the facts stated within our family. It’s difficult to comprehend that someone like him died by that age and in that manner. But I guess life is life. It’s unpredictable how you’ll live tomorrow, how and when your last day will be. His death was moving for our family as it is also crucial for others. Everyone has their own take of what happened. There are a copious of striking lesson learned through his life and death.
It taught me not to take anyone and anything for granted. I may be the least affectionate person, but I came to realize that it’s very important to show act of kindness and love to everyone who matters to you as much as you can. Sometimes someone existence will not struck you until they’re permanently gone. And it surely does sucks to live with regret knowing that you could’ve been there for them. Again, everything is uncertain we don’t know until when they’ll be here so it’s important to be grateful of what we still have. No one is perfect, and I believe that we should always be thankful for how each person made us feel whether it’s good or bad, as along the way you’ll come to realize that you are who you are now because of that.
I’ve also learned to make everyday counts. To wake up each day fully geared to make it as one for the books and be present. Be spontaneous but decide wisely. This life is temporary but the impact that you have to others doesn’t have to be. It matters more how you live than how you left. We’re only here for a finite of time and tomorrow is not guaranteed.
If there’s any good thing about losing someone it is the epiphany on how to live this life and how to give more love before anything is too late. My uncle’s death made me think twice about my every action. What am I doing about the people I love and how’s my relationship with them? Am I putting effort in making sure that I’m present? And so on…
Everyone does know that it’s tough to cope up with grief and is also crucial not to succumb to it. Let this be a lesson about life rather than death.
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