Death in the time of Christmas

In approximately 4 days, Christmas Day is just around the corner. But, this may be a very sad Christmas for some families, especially those who experienced death among their family members. Most of us were surprised, even shocked, to learn that young actor Marky Cielo passed away last December 7. He was found dead in his bedroom by his mother, lying on the floor. Alot of speculations went around, that he died of acute pancreatitis, or he committed suicide, among other things. There are also talks that he wore a turtleneck undershirt in a suit inside his coffin, which led people to conclude that he committed suicide. Days prior to that, a very deady shootout betweeb the PNP SWAT team and a robbery syndicate took place in Paranaque last December 5, which led to the deaths of at least 13 civilians. 2 of those casualties were OFW Alfredo De Vera and his 7 year old daughter Leah Alyana. Lilian De Vera, wife of the victim, said her seafarer husband, Alfredo, intended to come home just before Christmas, but decided to advance his vacation to grant the wish of their 7-year-old daughter to be home for her birthday on November 3. Alfredo De Vera and the daughter he loved so dearly, Leah Alyana, were driving on a sport utility vehicle along Sampaguita Avenue in Parañaque city at about 9:45 p.m. Friday when they got hit in the crossfire between police and suspected members of two robbery gangs. Last week, I was watching an episode of Wonder Mom (hosted by Karen Davila, airing every Saturday morning), and it was very touching and tearful to see and hear a mother and wife mourning at the loss of her loved ones. She did not expect that it would happen to her, and it was so powerful to see her cry because she loved her family very much. She even told Karen that she doesn't understand what happened, what she knows is that the police killed her family. On a more personal level, I was also shocked to read a text message from my mom that the mother of my sister's bestfriend died of a stroke last Saturday, December 13. Nanay Emma was so close to me when I was in Bacolod, she was like a second mother to me. I was so sad to learn that she had passed away. It was also during the same time in 2005 that my beloved nanny passed away, also because of a stroke. Mare Julie (as I fondly call her) was with us for much of my growing up years, and her loyalty to out family was just amazing. I cried buckets and buckets of tears when I saw her in a coffin, when a few month back she was still the caring nanny I consider as part of the family. She suffered a stroke while she was in Bacolod, when my eldest sister borrowed her from us. It was one of the saddest moments in my life. I always smile and get teary eyed whenever I think of her & all the things she did for me and my family. I miss her alot, I miss her everyday. Christmas is supposed to be a happy occassion, but death is an inevitable part of life. I know that these people are in a safe place right now, and I'm sure, just like us here, they will also celebrate Christmas with Our Creator. May they always rest in peace.