Nudging Forward

Today is my Papa's 24th year of rest.  I was only 10 when he passed and his was the first funeral I ever attended. Although I was young and recall running around after much younger kids to keep them busy on this sad day...I still remember my titas, my mom and dad, and especially my belated Mama's reaction. 

 

I was guiding Mama into the room. She was dressed all in black (a color she wore for one full year that it became her color of choice). While walking her up to the entrance, she stopped, looked over to her husband lying in what seemed like his sleep and placed both of her hands over her face. Then she whispered in Tagalog, "What am I going to do now?" (This sentence resonates with me since it was also the same line my sissy said when my brother passed away a year ago). 

 

I held Mama's arm, nudged her forward, very slowly and said nothing (just like I did with my sissy). To me, this question never needs a response. All I knew was I had to be there for them to say goodbye and so that I can say goodbye too.

In Remembrance,

Myrnelle