On January 1st, we learned that a friend and his son drowned in a freak accident at the beach nearby. The son trued to save his wife but was hit a surging wave. The father seeing that his son was in danger of drowning, took out to rescue his son too. The current though and the waves proved too strong for them both with neither of them knowing how to swim. What should have been a happy outing turned out to be a tragedy for the family. It was simply heartwrenching to hear people talk about how seemingly unbelievable the turn of events were especially because the two seemed strong and able. (the father was only 41 years old and his son, 18).
What made the whole thing agonizing was the fact that the family was reluctant to divulge the incident to the victims' mother/grandma. The latter is just recently recovering from stroke where half of her body is still being under therapy. The kins were afraid that if she learns about the incident, she might have another breakdown which consequently may turn out also fatal. Oh such dilemma!
Eventually, the truth was disclosed and she was able to accept it.. The incident however brought to mind certain realizations, to wit:
• Life can indeed be very uncertain. One moment we frolic (or fight) with our loved ones and the next, they're gone. Just like that. Sadly, our loved-ones leave the least moment we expect it. What do we do?
• That when death claims us, there is no escape. The younger victim was only 18yrs old and he was already abfarher to a six-month old baby. If there was a way for him only to refuse death for the meanttime to e able to stay a lil'longer and be parent to his son, i am certain he would have stayed. But no one, nibody at all can refuse to die. When our moment comes, it comes.
•. That while it's good to plan longterm, we should also make allowance for the present. We must make a conscious effort to make every moment count. While others exhaust themselves planning about the future, the future is still uncertain. There can never be a replacement for time and moments lost.
•. That a father's love cannot be fathomed. May the boy's soul rest in peace but some people in town quip that he was always unruly. He quit school and got a girl pregnant early -- but gis father was always there for him allthroughout. One of my sisters even mentioned the father disclosing that fter his son had a child, he was more convinced to work harder even asking his son to remain nearby so he could guide him as the latter now faces the challenges of starting his own family.. He loved his son so much that when he saw the waves engulfing his son, his first instinct was to go and grab him forgetting that he couldn't even swim himself! Gosh! I am flabbergasted!
And so they were buried side by side, father and son. Talks about the incident are now slowly fading away too. But i know that to their loved-ones and to those who have had the chance to witness the accident, they will always be remembered. It is my wish however that the folks in my little hometown have somehow learned to value their loved-ones more after the tragedy which left two widows, and two grieving mothers...
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