Goodbye Tatay Jose…

I started reading chapters from the book of Psalms. I read Psalm 23 very slowly to make sure that the words would be heard by the person on the other end of the line. I was calling Tatay Jose upon his request. I had asked if I could talk with him but I was told that he was already unable to speak. Her daughter-in-law Brenda sent me sms because Tatay Jose indicated that he wanted to hear my voice.

I was slumped on the ground outside our house. Our two dogs, Toepy and Beans, sensing the significance of the event and maybe even my emotions associated with it – came next to me. Toepy even had her face resting on my lap, while Beans was sitting on my right side.

“The Lord is my shepherd… I shall not want…’
I finished Chapter 23 and started reading other chapters for him. Tatay Jose was not responding to me – and it felt like a one-man monologue on the phone. But he was listening. I could hear him coughing on the other line.

Then I read chapters in Isaiah. And then ended with Romans 8…. “nothing could separate us from God’s love…’ there are times when my voice would break…and I struggled to keep on. I was reading the Bible and giving my small commentary to someone who in less than 24 hours, would pass away.

I started praying. Thanking God for the life of Tatay Jose and as much as I could remember, recalled the events (mostly youth camps) where I had seen him in action. I thanked Tatay Jose for the many years of sacrificial service to our denomination. For their selfless generosity and love for the Church.

Tatay Jose was our senior pastor in Bahile, 2 hours away from Puerto Princesa. The last time I saw him was during the church anniversary of our church in Puerto Princesa. We then went to their house in Bahile where 70 people were waiting for us. Tatay Jose was the father figure of our churches in Bahile and Puerto. Her daughters are now married to our pastors there and his sons are in our pastoral teams.

I ended the prayer expressing my gratitude to Christ for allowing us to have our Tatay Jose… and as if on sync, the connection got disconnected.

That night I was told that it was really getting hard for him to breathe. His wife eventually told him of the reality of the situation and I was told that Tatay Jose started to cry. I have always wondered about the wisdom of telling or not telling someone about their true situation. I had seen on two occasions where the dying persons were not told that they had very limited time left.

Personally, I would prefer to to be told of that when it is my time. So I could make amends and finish any un-finished business or even give my proper goodbyes to family and friends who mattered a lot. Or even say my parting words of encouragement to those who will be left behind.

At 3am on thursday, I got the sms “He just passed…just a moment ago. Thank you for all the prayers”….

Thank you Tatay Jose for loving the Church. Thank you for serving the Lord with all of your life. Thank you for loving us. I am not your son – but you definitely made everybody feel like they are your children.

Thank you very much. We will see each other in the presence of our Lord.