Until We Meet Again
There are rumors going around in our community, but never I imagined that it was my friend whom they are referring to. I have a gut feel that there is something that I need to know. At first I was puzzled why suddenly he wanted to talk to some people. Then I heard that he also wants to talk to our Superiors: our Rector, Vice-Superior and our former Provincial. I smell something not good is going on.
These times are hard for me, plus the pressure of Philosophy comprehensives this week, I have to cram and read some articles, books and countless essays. I no have to time to listen to hearsay and gossips of "who is next", needless to say, I need to drop all of those things as his upperclass brother and listen to what he is going to say. We talked along the corridors of our rooms and the chapel pathway with the usual exchange of jokes and insults first. Then, upon reaching a certain place, I asked him seriously "so what is it are you going to tell me?" "what do you know?" He answered. "I know nothing, I don't believe in gossips, I want to have a first hand info." Then a few seconds of silence. I was shocked when told me bluntly “bro, I am going to leave the Society tomorrow night.” We silently walked, without uttering a word. Then I asked him “kapatid, masaya ka ba sa desisyon mong yan?” Then he told me about what happened in his discernment for the past Christmas break. He told me his analogy of the shoe “I like this shoe, pare… I have saved up for it, made sacrifices for it to have it in my possession but still the shoe doesn’t fit. Bro, I don’t have any reason to stay here” From there I got his point, we continued walking and discussing what is going to happen to him. After we talked, I assured him that we will remain as friends and brothers supporting him to all the decision he makes.
I went back to my study table and stared on my reading list. My mind went blank and after a few moments it dawned on me what he just said. Some people may not understand this, but in this life we have its really hard to see someone close bid you goodbye. We are used to see each other everyday, and the coming days will be more different. For us, there will be no longer veranda tambay in the evening, the secret meetings near the washing machine at 3rd floor CR, there will be no incensing of ghosts in 5th floor (with Gudam), there will be no teasing (others and ourselves), no long stories while driving from Manila to Baguio and back, there will be no SanMig stories and laughing till our eyes decides to sleep. There will be no more coffee moments at 2AM while finishing our papers. All that will remain is our memory of each other that somewhere along this journey our paths have crossed and made each moment bearable and meaningful for a having a true friend at your side. I won’t pretend that I am not saddened by your leaving, but sure enough I promise that I will support you in your decision.
Bro, may your exit to religious life may serve some good, may it allow us to realize that how mere instruments we are and how God’s grace remains with us no matter what happens. God tell us this through Isaiah, the image of a mother nurturing his child is perhaps the greatest symbol of God’s love for us, but should the mother forget his child, God tells us that He won’t forget us.
Till we meet again bro, with this prayer I bid you not goodbye, but until our paths will cross again.
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
The sunshine warm upon my face,
My the rain fall softly upon your fields.
And until we meet again, may God hold you
In the hollow of His hands.
- Old Irish blessing.
These times are hard for me, plus the pressure of Philosophy comprehensives this week, I have to cram and read some articles, books and countless essays. I no have to time to listen to hearsay and gossips of "who is next", needless to say, I need to drop all of those things as his upperclass brother and listen to what he is going to say. We talked along the corridors of our rooms and the chapel pathway with the usual exchange of jokes and insults first. Then, upon reaching a certain place, I asked him seriously "so what is it are you going to tell me?" "what do you know?" He answered. "I know nothing, I don't believe in gossips, I want to have a first hand info." Then a few seconds of silence. I was shocked when told me bluntly “bro, I am going to leave the Society tomorrow night.” We silently walked, without uttering a word. Then I asked him “kapatid, masaya ka ba sa desisyon mong yan?” Then he told me about what happened in his discernment for the past Christmas break. He told me his analogy of the shoe “I like this shoe, pare… I have saved up for it, made sacrifices for it to have it in my possession but still the shoe doesn’t fit. Bro, I don’t have any reason to stay here” From there I got his point, we continued walking and discussing what is going to happen to him. After we talked, I assured him that we will remain as friends and brothers supporting him to all the decision he makes.
I went back to my study table and stared on my reading list. My mind went blank and after a few moments it dawned on me what he just said. Some people may not understand this, but in this life we have its really hard to see someone close bid you goodbye. We are used to see each other everyday, and the coming days will be more different. For us, there will be no longer veranda tambay in the evening, the secret meetings near the washing machine at 3rd floor CR, there will be no incensing of ghosts in 5th floor (with Gudam), there will be no teasing (others and ourselves), no long stories while driving from Manila to Baguio and back, there will be no SanMig stories and laughing till our eyes decides to sleep. There will be no more coffee moments at 2AM while finishing our papers. All that will remain is our memory of each other that somewhere along this journey our paths have crossed and made each moment bearable and meaningful for a having a true friend at your side. I won’t pretend that I am not saddened by your leaving, but sure enough I promise that I will support you in your decision.
Bro, may your exit to religious life may serve some good, may it allow us to realize that how mere instruments we are and how God’s grace remains with us no matter what happens. God tell us this through Isaiah, the image of a mother nurturing his child is perhaps the greatest symbol of God’s love for us, but should the mother forget his child, God tells us that He won’t forget us.
Till we meet again bro, with this prayer I bid you not goodbye, but until our paths will cross again.
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
The sunshine warm upon my face,
My the rain fall softly upon your fields.
And until we meet again, may God hold you
In the hollow of His hands.
- Old Irish blessing.
posted by r a i m e n d o z a at 10:45 PM
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