Tita LILING 1931-2011



Tita Toyang,Mamang,Tita Liling and Tatang.

Van,me,Mond,Doc Totoy,Cleng,AC.Seated:Mang,Tita Liling,Tatang

 In a lifetime,there would be many goodbyes. Most of us has death as the greatest fear.As written by Fr. Jerry Orbos,death is the big LETTING GO, and the big LETTING GOD. In spite of the pain of losing a loved one, we must continue living and go on loving. We must accept that in the end, the people we hold dear belong to GOD more than to us.

Tita Liling,Mamang's older sister joined our Creator on April 10,2011. It came soon after Mom and I left her place. Two days before,I came to visit her in the hospital. She was complaining of pain.Difficulty of breathing was evident because of pneumonia and pleural effusion,that oxygen had to stay in place. I was glad she recognized me. I burst into tears when she mentioned she wanted to go home and see "Curasing", my mother.I read her chart,talked to her cardiologist,and I knew the prognosis is not hopeful.
I tried to talk it out with Mamang,explaining so carefully that Tita Liling's condition is not good.I told her,"Baka di na s'ya gumaling." Her firm reply was" Dapat gumaling s'ya," which left me speechless.

I have witnessed many a thousand times the care the siblings(Tatang Batman included) had for one another.Under the scorching heat of the sun,Mamang would ride on her three-wheeler to see Tita. No long chats,just them physically close to each other already brings them happiness.They would sometimes visit Tito Batman and Tita Toyang.These two old sisters will then make "lambing" to Tatang and ask for money.I told Mom to refrain from doing that.She wouldn't listen and reason"Bakit?Koya ku ne man." No wonder I am her daughter.

With Mamang's health condition,she continues to think about Tatang's walking ability and Tita Liling's fracture and hospital admission. They worry for one another. I would ask Mamang every now and then why she loves her siblings that much and she says,"Kasi kapatad ku la." A constant answer.Just that.

I must really be a strong girl.I waited for the elder members of the family to break the news about Tita Liling,to no avail. Doc Totoy was suddenly nowhere in sight,Kong Gie was beside Mamang yet he seemed catatonic. Ati Peng was sobbing. Tita Nora was babbling incongruent statements. No choice to me. I had to do it. Seeing Mamang's reaction,she repeatedly trying to wake up her sister,was beyond pain. In that instance, I wished my brothers were here.

I know in my heart that Tita Liling is in heaven with their parents and other siblings. I will remember her in quite a number of ways. Her fascination with dangling earrings and wide belts,her addiction to baby powder just like Mamang,the crayons and paper pads she gave me when I passby in her store in my elementary years,the annual dinner she prepares for the family every All Saint's Day.But most importantly,I will always cherish and relinguish the moments she and Mamang spent together. I am not yet ready to imagine the next days when Mamang might ask for you. Coming to your place has been her practice.

Thank you sooo much Lolet for loving Mamang,for waiting for her to see you before you finally rested in peace.Thank you for being my mother's ATE.

Enjoy your tour in heaven. Guide us from up above.