a life well-lived

80 years of existence is sure long from an average person’s point of view. However, to a disheartened family, no amount of years is long enough for a treasured loved one. Although death is inevitable, eons of getting prepared will never alleviate the feeling of mourning once death approaches and finally, shadows over one’s fleeting existence.

My Lolo Arsenio passed away the other month after a year of being bed-ridden and battling edema. It can be supposed as caused by old age but despite that, it is befitting that this simple tribute be given to the one half-responsible for my mother’s life and a fourth of mine.

My lolo was a good man. He may not have finished high school but somehow, he managed to provide for his eight children. He labored hard in his farm to make ends meet. Season after season, he sowed different crops, rode his ever-reliant carabao and plowed with his bare feet and hands. Whatever academic knowledge he may have lacked, he has well compensated it with every ounce of hard work and sweat.

As father, he may have laid a hand to his children but makes sure he would hurt them with a full stomach. The best whipping he would give is a simple stroke in the hand and shrugs everything off thereafter by laughing. Ultimately, to us, his grandchildren, he never let out a single nasty word.

However, one frustration any father would have is not being able to send his children to school. He was one of them. He may have fallen short of that fatherly aspect but in general, my mom would not pick anybody else for a father. They thrived in simplicity in farm life but their family was nonetheless happy and content.

Through the years, all of his children went on their separate ways as distinct married individuals. Yet, even if his children could already provide for him, he never asked for too much. A simple bottle of beer or tanduay would elicit a genuinely toothy happiness from lolo. He and lola remained self-sufficient tending to their farm, animals and crops.

Around 75 years of age, he fell ill - his hearing and eyesight became diminished in capacity. However, this did not hamper my lolo from doing what he does best which is farming. As years went by, it came to a point where he became bedridden leading to his eventual demise.

I know that lolo is in a better place now. He has finally rested in peace with his Creator by his side. He is a place where only happiness and serenity rules. I know for sure, he loves it there!

To ultimately the hardest working person I’ll ever know in my lifetime, kudos to a life well lived!