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| Joash Maramara Photography (2018) |
And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!” (Revelation 14:13)
August has, for the second time
in a row, proven itself to be a month of grief for me. The last two weeks have
subjected my entire church, and more especially the Maramaras, in deep
emotional turmoil with regards to Kuya Ryan's falling ill. Suddenly, our hands were all filled with tasks and things that we could do for this family who has done so much for us.
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| From entertaining Ethan and Mikki throughout the two very long weeks by playing various board games. (And yes, Dix It is the best.) |
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| To setting up "camp" for everyone, to keep the insects out and to have a semi-adventurous feels despite everything. |
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| To simply just watching the kids. Or, uh, with the kids. |
We Youngles had our shifts and turns in caring for the kids, with Arvie, Hapi, and I staying with them the most. It has truly been the longest two weeks we've ever had so far. And last Saturday, Kuya Ryan's body
was laid to rest in the ground as his soul comes to rest at the bosom of his
Creator.
Throughout those two long weeks I
have spent most of my time with the entire family, watching the kids, cleaning
up the church or funeral place--basically just helping out in whatever way I
can, albeit almost insignificantly. For most people who visited us at the wake,
yesterday was the end of the break in daily routines. Today, things are almost
back to normal. But for ate Hannah and her kids, this day marks the beginning
of a drastically different life. They have, at least temporarily, moved back to
Antipolo with Pastor Rene and the whole family. Life would not be the same
again.
And although I'm sure the
Maramaras are grieving in a level I could not have claimed to be in at this
situation, I also cannot say I am not greatly affected. As what I have shared
to Kuya Ryan’s students when they paid a visit during the last night of the
funeral, the Maramaras have always been like a second family to me. And seeing
Ethan and Mikki, little children, losing their father before they could even
make a plethora of meaningful, significant memories that would last them a
lifetime is just too painful for me. Seeing Ate Hannah losing the love of her
life after but a brief decade of holy matrimony—I cannot even begin to imagine
how heartbreaking that is.
Just seeing these pictures once more breaks my heart all over again. A sweet, sweet family here on earth has just been broken. But one thing I am learning
during this season is that God often so providentially breaks our hearts while
we live in this world, to constantly embed upon our souls that this is not our
home.
Kuya Ryan, having died last Monday night, has
now crossed the River, riding through the Celestial City King’s chariots of
fire. And I can't help but feel envious of him, being taken up by the Lord to
heights of perfect glory. Despite the mourning and pain, I can’t help but yearn
also for the lot that fell on him. Kuya Ryan has been a professing Christian
these four years. And throughout those four years, he has continuously grown in
the faith. He has walked the Narrow Path four years! After which, the Lord, the
King of Celestial City, has Himself sent chariots of fire to take Kuya Ryan to
His side. I have entered the Wicket Gate seven years ago, and by God's
sustaining grace have been treading the Narrow Path since. And though
definitely this journey is well-spent, and so full of priceless lessons that
contributed to my growth--still, I look forward to the day when I would behold
my God face to face. Without a veil. And kuya Ryan is exactly where I've always
wanted to be.
He is Home. And may we all press on like him, Homeward bound.
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