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Monday, May 25, 2009

Today We Mourn The Loss of A Friend


A friend of ours (mine and IT Guy's) passed away yesterday around 1:30 PM.


Edna works with the IT Guy, she's the City's Accountant. Though I have only known her for a couple of months, I have found a strange attachment towards her. She is a beautiful person, inside and out...very witty...smart...and full of life's enthusiasm despite her circumstances.

It was one of those December nights last year when I asked IT Guy to invite them to dinner. There were only four of us, Edna, Agnes, IT Guy and myself. Just four of us...but the gladness that swept me off that time is unbounded. It was one of those precious moments with precious friends...for my case, new found friends. It was so much fun that we promised ourselves to do it again...and to make it something like a night out activity for group every now and then.

January I was told by the IT Guy that she got sick and is going through an executive check-up. For someone who gets sick and to be asked for that thorough tests, I was sensing something must be wrong, yet I kept my optimism the whole time. I sent her a message asking her how's everything and if there is anything I can do for her...

She seems fine then...

After a few days, we were informed that she has cancer. Apparently the cyst in her tummy was not just an ordinary one. Her cancer was already in it's final stage. She was into Sutent...and she was suffering a lot. I have known so many people who are into Sutent treatment and are doing fine...so as I was still optimist about the whole thing. After all, she's a strong woman and I have always admired her strength.

Few weeks ago her illness got worst to a point that she's having difficulty breathing. We visited her in the hospital and that was my last personal encounter with her. I told her I am sharing with her a year of my life so she gets to do the things she needed to do. My last visit at the hospital was both heartbreaking and inspiring. Heartbreaking because I know anytime we can lose her...inspiring because I did not see any trace of fear in her eyes. She was calm...ready and so peaceful.

They say life is hard but death is harder. Especially when we refuse to give in to that crushing weight of emotions rolling in our mind, like what I did. All this time, I keep telling people, she will live and she will survive...as she always do.

This morning, IT Guy called me up and informed me about her death.

I have to hold back tears and try so hard to sound fine on the phone...while my mind search for an answer to so many questions. Why? How come? Why so sudden? Is it real? Why did she not take that 1 year I told her I'm willing to share with her? What about the things she just started fighting with? So many questions...but I have no answer.


Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5



So while I sit here blinking my tears away Proverbs 3:5 flashed before me. And I remember my last talk with Edna...her calmness, her strength...how she lifted it all up to the Lord.


Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men,
who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14



Death comes to us like a theft in the night...and I have learned this the hard way. So everyday I try to live my life as if it is my last...and try to learn life's lessons as if I'm going to live forever.

To Edna, you may be gone for us you never left...for you shall always stay in our hearts. Please be at peace knowing you have touched so many people's lives and have inspired many of us to be strong amidst adversity and trials.

We will miss you for sure!

8 comments:

IT Guy said...

Everything was a big shock to me this morning. I can't imagine she's gone. She used to head this department before I came in and took over. Today we mourn the passing of one hardworking woman who always made a difference wherever she goes...

We will miss you Ed and we will always remember you...

Unknown said...

What a loving tribute to a friend. It is not the length of time that we know a person, but how closely we hold them in our heart.
My thoughts are with you both at this sad time.
This is a reading that gave my mother great comfort and peace.
1 Corinthians Chapter 13:4-13
Emma

Mariposa said...

Emma - Thanks so much for the kind words, we really appreciate it!

And yes 1 Corinthians Chapter 13:4-13 is always comforting, thanks for the reminder at this time when we need it most.

Jen said...

I'm so sorry for your loss, both IT Guy, Mariposa and for all of those who were touched by Edna's life.

She sounds like she was a wonderful woman.

Anonymous said...

She sounds like a wonderful woman. I'm so sorry for her passing and the loss of a friend. My thoughts are with you Aloha

Kittie Kate said...

Two people I know are on the third strike. One is lymphoma and one is leukemia. They're on the third strike.

The lymphoma has been through Chemo and radiation twice. She's my friend's child. She's only 24 and just graduated college.

The one with leukemia is a parent I know from work. He has a two-year-old daughter and he probably won't live to see her 5th birthday.

Cancer is very sad, but death is peaceful. They're both in so much pain. I can't visit them because I'm exposed to everything. Both of them are at a point where if they got a common cold, they'd die.

I can't visit them. I can't visit my friends.

Wish you best. There is nothing worse than the death of a loved one.

sbwrites said...

Dear Mariposa,
I'm so sorry for your loss and the IT Guy's. It sounds like she truly made a difference in your life and his. Know that my thoughts and prayers are with you both!

Love,
Susan

Marites said...

i just recently lost a former co-worker and blogger-friend, full of promises and dreams it was really a shock to know that he's already gone. All we can do for now is pray for him and know that he is with God.