Blogs from Jupiter

An uncle, my mom’s brother, passed away a few days ago. He succumbed to cancer of the pancreas and liver. According to my mom, my uncle died a happy person, with jokes and funny conversations, and surrounded by his family. Their youngest brother even joked if he was already seeing numbers, numbers that my younger uncle were considering betting in the lotto.

My sick dad has no idea that my uncle passed away. They were classmates in sickness. My uncle learned of his cancer in August of last year. My dad learned of his cancer sometime July this year. There were no exchanges of notes on their part, but our families got closer because we are each other’s support group.

When my dad was hospitalized, it was my uncle’s family who helped us. A son of my uncle was the one who arranged for my dad’s hospital accommodation as he was working in that hospital as a nurse. My auntie and my cousins never failed in visiting my dad in the hospital.

When my uncle died, my mama was present to comfort him and his family. And at the moment he passed away, I received a call from my sister, and I immediately followed my mom to the hospital to comfort them as well, and in helping them with the funeral arrangements.

My cousins were really sad. But nevertheless, at peace because my uncle’s physical suffering has finally ended, plus the fact, that he crossed over to the other side a prepared and happy person.

A few hours before uncle died, my mama whisphered to him: "Ginahulat ka na nila mama kag papa" (Mama and Papa are already waiting for you). And my uncle responded by nodding his head.

As for us, I know all will be well. Dad is now a bit okay. Mom’s tired. But all of us are here to take turns in taking care of dad.