Goodbye Uncle Welly

Dove This morning I was awaken by my cousin. He rushed in the room and said “Joey, wake up. Let’s go to the hospital. Uncle Welly had a heart attack.” It was 6.30 am in the morning. I didn’t get a chance to even think. I brushed my teeth and put on any clothes I could find and hopped in the car with my aunt and my uncle who I stay with in Jakarta.

The traffic was bad but we managed to find the hospital. We got off the car and were greeted by three of my uncle’s associates. From the look, I know it’s not good. One of the guy whispered slowly to my aunt. He passed away. No no no. It’s not possible. He wasn’t sick. He didn’t have a history of heart attack. No sign pointed to that. How could it possibly be? I held my aunt as we walked to the emergency room. There he was … laying in bed … motionless. My aunt was crying her heart out trying to wake him up. I was lost. It felt so surreal.

I just saw him a little over a week ago. His flight was delayed and he popped in to say hi. Little did I know it would be the last time I ever saw him alive. It kinda put thing in perspective. We see our family, our friends, our associates on a regular basis. We expect to see them again when we say goodbye. Sometimes it doesn’t happen that way. Do appreciate every moment when you see someone. Shelf all the pettiness, the jealousy, and the hatred. They bring you nothing but misery.

We had to fly his body to another town tonight (two hours flight away) so for the time being his body will be kept at the funeral home. When I woke up this morning I never thought I would be selecting a casket for my uncle. I tried to be strong. And finally when a family friend started speaking to him bidding him farewell, I cracked. All these emotions I’ve been holding back finally broke. And when my cousin saw the body and cried, I broke down again.

We have to dress him up in his final outfit. Touching his lifeless body makes it even more difficult to grief; buttoning his shirt, putting gloves on him. Gosh, this is just so hard. I am not ready for this. This is not what I came to Jakarta for. What are we going to tell grandma? To tell her that she has to bury her son? Which mother can ever do that? Say what you want about Cindy Sheehan. I can’t even imagine the pain and grief she goes through daily coping with losing a son.

Kevin and Michelle, your dad is no longer with us. I assure you that I will be the best cousin a person can have. I will be the big brother you can rely on. You can count on that.

Aunt Jenny, I am sorry for your loss. We lost a great man, a kind and caring friend, a wonderful father, and a loving husband.

Goodbye Uncle Welly. We’ll miss you. Please watch us from up above. Rest In Peace.

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7 Comments

Steph Said,

January 29th, 2008 @1:21 pm

I’m sorry, Joey. And to your family also.

Joey Rosario Said,

January 30th, 2008 @6:09 am

Thanks Steph. It’s been hard for everyone especially for my grandma and for my aunt.

Edith Said,

February 1st, 2008 @6:02 am

Take care of yourself… You and your family are in our prayer. When my uncle died, we never told grandpa.. Stay and talk with them. Don’t let think about any silly stuff…

February 1st, 2008 @7:59 am

Thanks Edith.

I am caring for my aunt and her two children at their residence. They are still coming to term with the loss of husband and father. It’ll take some time.