I wrap my fingers around a string
Holding on to the memory of your smile.
Your laughter still rings in my head
Your booming voice still throbs in my heart.
I used to tell you I loved you,
A grin would break upon your face and
You’d pat me hard on the back.
I still feel the jolt of that pat.
The head of the table is now empty,
So is the living room chair no one dared sit on.
I will no longer see you waving goodbye to me
As I drive away from your home.
My fingers clasp the string more tightly
Remembering the warmth that emanated
From such a stern demeanor.
Only you could carry that off.
Words are tangled in my heart.
Nothing can capture the breadth of sentiment I have for you.
The memories are too many,
The memories are too few.
I will miss you deeply Wowo.
I let go of the string and watch my silver balloon
Soar into the sky
Finding it join many others of its kind.
They rise among the clouds,
Into the hands of little girls
Whose angelic voices only you can hear
Whose angelic voices sing your welcome.
I can no longer see you
nor the silver balloons.
But I rejoice in your peace.
I rejoice in your journey back home.
Col. Jose G. Ignacio. Feb. 4, 1922 – Oct. 15, 2004. Crossword puzzles. Statistics. Thick novels. Brick games. College blue books. The Book of Knowledge. Dolce. Pancit with tokwa. Cheesy garlic bread with extra garlic. An extra loaf of that one too. A glass of brandy. A bottle of Pale Pilsen. The biannual Carlos Primero. Big, bold handwriting. His walk outpacing all others. The blaring television. The sound of a rusty typewriter. I shared your love for a lot of things. And now nothing will ever be the same again.
I was asked to write a short piece for his service but I’m still unable to get my thoughts together. Maybe later, maybe this afternoon, when my thoughts are more organized. I’ve cried all there is to cry I think. I’ve spoken to my Grandmother, who sounded so broken. She used to speak of being lost if ever Wowo goes away. It must be devastating for her and I pray that she is given the strength to get through this.
He went peacefully and bravely. The best has come for him. I am happy that he is finally free of pain. He’s in Heaven now, with his friends and siblings who have been preparing his welcome party. I pray that he is resting well. I am out of words now. The silence of tears overwhelms me and my heart aches with each memory. I worry about the piece I have to write for the service but I know the words will come again. For now, they fail me. I hope he knows how much I loved him. I think he does. I will miss you, Wowo.
Hi! I'm Toni Tiu,
and I've been blogging at
at Wifely Steps since 2003. This started as a blog to help newly weds adjust to married life. It has evolved into a home and parenting blog. I write about things close to my heart -- good eats, good reads, family, marriage, and the little things that make everyday happy.