She's gone, and we all know it. We gather now to celebrate her life and to mourn for her death. We are here to be with you, as you live another day without her by your side. "Lolo Munti" as we call you, but now all I can see is a man bereft of his priceless treasure.
You are here in this earth with a purpose, as we all are. You may not have been so open sharing your thoughts or opinions, but we all can see it clearly, you have found your purpose in her, Lola Oleng. In sickness and in health, you were together. When all people declined to accept your relationship, you eloped to everyone's horror. You endured everything, and through the years you have succeeded.
Yet as an old song say, "Sometimes love just ain’t enough". Life is short and we are all going to die someday. We can never say when or how but we all end up the same way, back to what we used to be, ashes. When sickness claimed her and the prognosis presented a slim chance of recovery, we all witnessed how hard it was for you to bear. We are hurt, but I know it is nothing compared to the pain that you feel. Your heart might have not been able to contain it, and so the mild heart attack. You cannot know how hurt we are for you and concerned at the same time.
You are now in the sunset of your life, seventy eight to be exact. Most men would still be alert and strong, but maybe poverty and hard work not proper for your health and condition advanced your years physically. You seldom recognize us anymore, you sometimes may not be able to comprehend what we are saying, and you cannot take care of your basic needs anymore. But as you were asked, "Where is Oleng?" your answer was, "she went away, rode a jeep." It was all I can do not to take your moment and cry.
My heart ached when I saw a single tear escaped your eye, and trailed down your cheek. It was like the moment was suspended and I can see everything in slow motion. Each second slits my heart and makes me realize that this is something about love and life. I can almost feel the hurt that you feel. You may not recognize everyone around you, but the pain surpasses all. It was there, in your mind, in your heart, and in your life. She's gone, something we cannot do anything about.
As we all travel to the place where she is to finally lay, we were separated by cars. But as we arrived and she was put to rest, each cinder block was attached - I can see your heart breaking. Your face was red and you never took your eyes off each block. Everyone was chatting and everyone complains about the weather and the hot mid day sun, but you were so silent and steady. Leaning against the wall with your cane on your hand, you were looking straight at each cinder blocks put into place.
I never saw you shook or shiver, but the firm resolve to be strong was in your aged eyes. Resolve to stay strong until the last piece of rock was in place. Strong to see her safe inside and know she is resting forever in the kingdom of our Lord. Strong enough to go away and leave her physical body in its respective place.
I saw you leave and we went straight for home. But the pain, the experience, the realization would last me forever. I have learned about love, about being human, about life, and about wisdom. Love is eternal even we –humans - aren't. It may separate us through death, but it would always be there. It may diminish to a small flicker of fire through the years of not being together but it shall always be there, ready to be rekindled. Just remembering each precious moment is enough to relive the glory of being in love. Your memory might hinder you, but the heart never forgets.
Being human is like a coin, it has two faces. Good and bad, success and failure, and beginning and death. But everything we accomplish in between our beginning and end makes it more than enough to look over death and be happy for what we all become. We love, lost, fought, and live again. Each moment a precious peace of gold. And every experience and lessons learned is as precious as being alive in this world.
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