A Happy Death

I have 5 articles that is due today so I turned on the PC and started writing as soon as I woke up. I was already on my second article when my son Joma woke up and turned on the TV. It was then that I learned that our former president Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino passed away early this morning. I can’t concentrate on the article I am writing. I have to express my mourning over the passing of our former President Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino.

I do not have any personal experience with Tita Cory. We just have the same last name although my husband’s relatives say Ninoy, her husband, is their distant relative. My husband grew up in the same community in Quezon City where Tita Cory, as she is fondly called, lives. They also went to the same parish.

Tita Cory led the Philippines to regain its freedom. I was only in high school then. A teenager who was unaware of the country’s current events. I must admit that I was clueless what was happening then in EDSA. I only realized how important that EDSA People Power was when I reached college… a few years after the event itself.

For me, she was the best leader the Philippines could have, next to her husband who was shot dead in his arrival to the country. I was saddened by the news that she was diagnosed of colon cancer. Over the past month that she was confined in the hospital, I kept on praying that God will give her a peaceful death. I did not pray that she will recover from her illness anymore… to stand up and go back to her usual activities. No, not anymore. I am just being realistic. You see, I have seen a lot of cancer patients. I have friends, relatives and family members of my friends who have been victimized by cancer. They all succumbed to death. I knew all along this will come soon. So, I was just praying for her family to be prepared… for acceptance that she will soon pass away… for Tita Cory that she may have a peaceful death, less pain and agony because I understand how physically painful cancer is.

While watching the news and updates regarding her burial and interment, I heard somebody read this poem she wrote last 2004. I searched the Net for a copy of this poem and I found it here.

Prayer for a Happy Death
by: Corazon C. Aquino

Almighty God, most merciful Father
You alone know the time
You alone know the hour
You alone know the moment
When I shall breathe my last.

So, remind me each day,
most loving Father
To be the best that I can be.
To be humble, to be kind,
To be patient, to be true.
To embrace what is good,
To reject what is evil,
To adore only You.

When the final moment does come
Let not my loved ones grieve for long.
Let them comfort each other
And let them know
how much happiness
They brought into my life.
Let them pray for me,
As I will continue to pray for them,
Hoping that they will always pray
for each other.

Let them know that they made possible
Whatever good I offered to our world.
And let them realize that our separation
Is just for a short while
As we prepare for our reunion in eternity.

Our Father in heaven,
You alone are my hope.
You alone are my salvation.
Thank you for your unconditional love, Amen.

To you, Tita Cory, your battle is well-fought… from being a housewife to regaining our freedom and leading the country. You are a pillar of strength. No more pain, Tita Cory… no more pain. You are now at peace with our Creator. Iknow you left this world knowing that not only the Filipinos but the whole world loves you. Goodbye, Tita Cory!