Hello everyone!
Hope all are safe and well! 😊❤🙏
Last night was the first night of the wake for my relative's grandmother. I went there to extend my condolences to the bereaved family and show my support during this difficult time. I also brought some coffee, candies, and peanuts to share with them. It may not be much, but it was my simple way of helping and showing that I care.
Here in our province, when someone passes away, the wake can last for a week or sometimes even longer. During those days, family members and relatives take turns staying awake, welcoming visitors, and keeping their loved one company for the last time. It is a time when relatives, friends, neighbors, and acquaintances come together to offer condolences, share memories, pray, and show their love and respect for the person who has passed away.
There are also visitors who stay late into the night, while others come to play bingo, tongits, or mahjong. These activities are common during wakes in our province, helping people stay awake and keeping company with the bereaved family during those long nights.
But behind these gatherings, there is also a reality that we should not forget.
It is expensive to die, and most of the time, the people left behind are the ones who carry the financial burden. Losing someone is already painful, but aside from the emotional pain, the family also has to think about the expenses for the wake, burial, and other arrangements. It becomes even more difficult when the person who passed away did not have insurance, savings, or enough money left behind to help cover these expenses.
Here in the Philippines, families usually try their best to offer something to eat or drink to the people who come to pay their respects. Even if it is only coffee, biscuits, bread, or candies, they still try to accommodate their visitors. These may seem like simple things, but when people keep coming for several days and the wake lasts for a week or longer, the expenses can add up.
That is one reason I brought coffee, candies, and peanuts when I visited the wake. I know these are only small things, and they cannot cover all the expenses the family has to face. Still, I wanted to share what I could instead of going there empty-handed. I believe that even a little help can make a difference.
We do not realize how much a family has to go through when someone passes away. They are grieving the loss of someone they love while also thinking about where to get the money for funeral expenses and how to accommodate the people who come to offer condolences. It is a lot to carry, especially when the family is already struggling financially.
By the way, I only took one picture during my visit. I did not take pictures of the people who came to offer their condolences or those who were playing bingo, tongits, and mahjong. I wanted to respect the family and the solemn occasion.
I stayed there for more than an hour. During my visit, I had the chance to talk with the bereaved family. We reminisced about the moments when grandmother was still alive, including the time when she was admitted to the hospital and the difficult moments leading up to her final breath.
It was a painful conversation because losing someone who is part of the family is never easy. Even when we know that life is temporary and that death is something we will all face someday, the pain of losing a loved one is still difficult to accept. There are memories that we will always carry in our hearts, and sometimes, talking about those memories brings both sadness and comfort.
May the soul of our departed loved one rest in peace, and may the Lord give the bereaved family comfort, strength, and peace of heart during this time of mourning. May He also provide for their needs and help them overcome the difficulties they may face in the coming days. 🙏❤️
Have a Blessed Thursday everyone! 😀😀😀💖💖💖
Thank You Lord for the blessings and love!
Be grateful in every little/simple things and you’ll find happiness you ever wanted! 😀😀😀
Everyday is worth to be grateful of!
Praying for the safety and wellness of all.
Heal Our Land Oh God!
Lovelots,
