Myopic Thoughts

Today, at 2:12 in the afternoon, our neighbor, Mang Henry de Dios, passed away. He died of a heart attack. I came over as soon as my mom told me, and I saw him, lying on the couch, lifeless, his wife, Aling Carmen, kneeling by his bedside, wailing for what seemed like an eternity. Upon instinct, I walked over to Mang Henry’s body checked for his radial pulse, palpated his neck and with the dorsum of my hand felt his skin for warmth. No pulse. He was cold. Gently, I pulled back his eyelids, one at a time. Both pupils were dilated. Dr. Garcia, who was there minutes earlier told me he probably had an infarct. There was nothing that could have been done. I started to move his head, his arms and his trunk in position before rigor mortis set in. It was the least I can do for the relatives.

Mang Henry lived a good life. I would always see him in the morning diligently sweeping leaves and bits of trash and dirt with my dad, keeping our street clean when no one ever had the compassion to do the same thing. He used to work for San Miguel Corporation, after which he quietly retired, staying with Aling Carmen as soon as all their children started leading lives of their own.

He was a righteous and opinionated guy. At 77, he still cared about what goes on in the government, the economic condition of this country, the lives of employees he previously worked with. He would go about how honorable and ideal it is for me to take up Medicine when most people sought "better" (a.k.a. financally-rewarding) jobs out of the country. In a way, he helped shape my personality, and for that I am grateful for having him as my neighbor.

As with my brother, I didn’t feel sorry when Mang Henry passed away. Yes, I would miss our daily conversations, the nuggets of wisdom he shares just before I go to school, the way he snickers when I crack a joke - yet I am more at ease knowing that he has already found peace in God’s care. I am no saint, but I believe the Lord gives me, gives us countless opportunities daily to be one. Mang Henry may not receive the Papal benediction. He may not be declared a holy man and recognized officially by the Church. But to me, along with JB, he IS a saint. Thank you Mr. De Dios. I’m not gonna say goodbye, just this:   see you someday, old friend.

I think this picture I took two weeks ago was meant for you.

Mang Henry lived a good life.

I’ve decided to have my old kramer pacer guitar repaired and refurnished. It has been a long time since this little baby saw some action. The head/beak’s broken, the paint is flaking, the knobs are loose and incomplete. Still, I want to use it, so I’m sending it to a guitar-maker in Landayan, San Pedro to bring this mechanical Lazarus back to life. Here’s one last look before I bring it for restoration.

disassembled       head fracture (hehe.)

I hope it turns out good. It’s gonna be in white.

No classes today. Decided to go to ATC with my cousins and watch ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’.

One word: BITIN. DAaaaymmm!

And then we watched ‘Superman Returns’. For the nth time.

Two words: BITIN DIN!

I bought parts for my old electric guitar. I’m going to Guagua sometime this month (since the Lumanogs live there) to have it fixed. Needs a new neck. Hope they can restore it. That baby’s got sentimental value.

Whoa. It’s 3am. Gotta get me sum shut-eye, mate. Savvy, eh?

Bleh. That’s all I can say about today. Nothing special. Plain as…a candy wrapper. Saw "The Fast And The Furious: Tokyo Drift" yesterday though. Yes, it sucked plot-wise. Yes, the characters were bland. Yes, it was an Initial D rip-off. Still, it’s about freakin’ nasty and over-the-top cars. That’s all I need.