Redentor Lavarez Dela Pena
February 8, 1954 – February 27, 2008
I wish I had gotten to know you a little better. You were only 14 years older than I am yet our lives are worlds apart.
I can count the few times we were able to be together.
I was 12 and sick in the hospital when you visited me with your girlfriend.
1987, at the funeral of grandpa.
1990, I spent three weeks with you and grandma before heading to the US to study.
1997, stayed for a week before heading back to the US.
2001 – to attend Grandma’s funeral
2008 – to attend yours.
Dec 2007 when you sent me sms asking me for a tagalog Bible. That was a real surprise. I can still remember that afternoon. Then you also told me about the arrival of your 3rd child.
February 10, I was able to send you that Bible you were asking for.
During the wake, I was informed that when the Bible was given to you, you were really happy to discover that it was a Tagalog Bible.
Someone asked Auntie who I was during the wake. She said “he was the one who gave us the Bible…”
It was a beautiful funeral service. Your fraternity brothers carried your casket and helped lowered it to its final resting place at 2:25 PM. It did not rain and there was a gentle cloud cover that made it very comfortable and poignant at the same time.
Goodbye Uncle. The Lord will take care of Auntie, Precious, Paulino and Sergio.
The Lord has a soft and tender heart for the fatherless, the widows and the orphans.
The Lord bless and keep you – till we meet again. This time, in God’s precious presence in heaven.
