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Thursday, December 21, 2006
Magsaysay: In response . .
By Jo Magsaysay
Whatever
AN e-mail sent to my editor, Jude Bacalso, who passed it on to me, so moved me to tears I want to share it with you.
Carmelita "Millette" Duncombe Joven Dejaresco writes:
Dear Sir,
Congratulations on your 24th Anniversary!
I don't know how to get in touch with Jo Magsaysay. I would like her to read this as soon as possible. Please give this to her
soonest ! ! !
Sun.Star Network Online's 12th Asean Summit watch
Her article today reminded me so much of my mother's complaints. I could not stop my tears nor relieve the grief and pain I felt
in my heart once more after reading her article.
I would like to tell my mom through Jo the things I wrote that could not be read by Mom anymore ...
Thank you for taking time to hand this over to Jo Magsaysay.
God bless!
* * *
The joy of being with the old?
An old writer who has touched and moved me to think, to feel, and to smile! And whose photo I have seen evolved tthrough 50
years in her column, my epitome of a woman of substance, aging in grace, Jo Magsaysay, wrote, " The joy of being old?"
Dear Jo, please allow me to tell you ...
What is the joy of being with the old when I know that death is waiting for her just around the corner?
What is the joy of looking at my beautiful mother knowing that she will no longer be there to watch us grow into better
adults, and she not there to see it?
What is the joy in feeling the pain in her back preventing her from doing what she wants to do, from going where she wants to
go?
What is the joy in watching her forlorn face seeing her favorite orchids blooming in the morning and seeing them die from pests
and dry in the afternoon?
What joy is there to raise our voice to shout at her to be heard?
What joy is there to wake up in the middle of the night wondering if she will wake up in the morning?
What is the joy knowing her insecurities when she is looking at the mirror to see the eye bags under her eyes, the creases
wrinkling her neck, making her think she looks like a turkey, too?
What is the joy in seeing her grasp for air because of emphysema after a meter-walk?
What is the joy in hearing her clear her throat to rid her of a hoarseness in her voice that once sang the angel's Psalm?
What is the joy in being told that another one of her old friends has passed away and that she, too, will go. One day. Soon?
What is the joy in witnessing the darkening gloom of old age slowing down her senses, her eyesight dimming, her hearing
gone, her mind trailing, her hands trembling so she had to give it all up ...
* * *
Dear Jo, please allow me to tell you much more ...
There is no such joy comparable to being with the old. It is a gift of wisdom from God, for blessed are those who are with the
old, for they shall see the mystery of life—and that is love.
There is no greater achievement one can have than being with the old. To be with her when she wraps up her life in style, in
God's grace, and in love.
It scares a great lot when she says her final good-bye through a lingering look, full of sadness. Yet with a flicker of light,
perhaps joy, that she will be met by the Lord and Savior, His arms extended to welcome her into His Kingdom.
* * *
Dolores " Dolly" Duncombe Joven, my mother, passed away last May 20, 2006 in her sleep.
* * *
Yes, indeed, God saves the Best for last ...
The joy of being old!’
* * *
My dear Millette:
I have saved this "for last".
I knew your mother, she was the classmate of my older sister, Dolores "Lolita" Gaboya in STC. I vaguely remember a sweet,
fair-skinned mestiza who had a beautiful voice – Dolly Duncombe of course!
Millette sweetie, I am most certain that your beloved Mom is now singing Psalms along with the angels in heaven.
Merry Christmas! God bless us all!
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (December 21, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
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