The past two weeks had been both happy and sad for our whole clan. He went to the big city for his monthly checkup with his cardiologist. He felt chest pains. He was immediately admitted in the hospital and within two weeks he died.
He struggled with diabetes for years. This coming April was supposed to be his kidney transplant. A new life. A better life. That is what we all dreamed of. What happens now then? It's sad because after Grandpa died, he became the whole clan's father and now that he's gone, life as we know it will never be the same again.
We all dream of having a better life at some point. In our case, we wanted a better life for Uncle. A life where he is not restricted by his medicines, by the food he eats or by the activities that he do. We wanted to spend more time with him and why not? He was kind, gentle, humble and smart. His smiles were precious and his admonitions were authorities.
Uncle was the quiet, reserved type. They say no one really knows what goes on in his mind. But this is what we all know- he had a good heart, he fought for justice and for what is good, he cared for the poor, he loved his family and He loved God.
Before going to bed last night I chanced upon an old article about making an
Ethical Will. Ethical wills are often written documents made to pass on values and wisdom to the next generation. These are your legacies, your own personal manual on life sifted by your experiences which you share with your family or other persons close to you in the hope that they may preserve and even follow what you value. These may be stories of your family history or simply letters of love to your loved ones.
Think not of evil, for evil thinking leads to evil doing, (Eleazar of Worms)
Avoid bad society, make thy books thy companions, make thy book cases and shelves be thy gardens and pleasure-grounds. (Judah Ibn Tibbon)
Never turn a poor man away empty handed. (Eleazar the Levite)
Uncle believes these things and if he had made a written ethical will, I'm pretty sure I can find these words there.
We have days left before his funeral and we are spending these times remembering, reminiscing, crying, laughing, and praying. We are all truly going to miss him but we are all also happy that he is now home with the Lord. God bless you, Uncle. We love you so much. May you rest in peace.
So, you see, it's not
always about having the best or the latest, not even the most expensive
phone out there which gives one joy or gives life a sense of beauty.
It's about having what you need at the right time and for the right
reasons until it's time to say goodbye. By the way, I actually didn't
pay for my new phone. It was bought for me as a gift. :) 
