Be prepared

It is said that wisdom goes with age. As we grow older we become wiser. Persons really acquire more knowledge and erudition as time goes by because they have more experiences in life. Older people act with prudence and circumspection than the younger ones. They are more intelligent and have a greater capacity of forming true judgment. This is a generally accepted truism clearly observable in the more senior members of our society. Hence, in the judiciary of some countries like the US, the justices of the Supreme Court serve until they become physically or mentally incapacitated or when they opt to retire or when they die. There is no retirement age as far as they are concerned.

One of the distinguishing signs of discernment in older people is that they have a stronger “intimation of mortality.” Somehow they are more aware that sooner or later they are going to die; that their life in this world will have to end. This awareness becomes more distinct when they learn of the demise of some of their relatives, friends, contemporaries and well known personalities during their heydays.

This is especially true of septuagenarians like me who are already considered to be at the “sunset of their lives.” At age 75 going into 76 (God willing), my intimation of mortality becomes stronger as I learned of the death of some friends, contemporaries and leading personalities during my earlier period of greatest vigor and vitality, when I was still “sowing wild oats” as they say. 

One of them was former Congressman Antonino Roman who died yesterday at the age of 75. Tony was a schoolmate at the Ateneo Law School and former senior partner in our law firm who also excelled in public service.

He once served as Deputy Finance Minister before becoming a Congressman of Bataan for several terms. His most recent stint in the government was Presidential Liaison Officer in Congress.

We became close when he and his wife Minia, the incumbent Bataan Congresswoman, and my wife Josie and I joined the Christian Family Movement (CFM). Besides that, we were also neighbors residing in the same Barangay in Cubao.

One of Tony’s memorable traits was his sense of humor and his “coolness” under fire. He seemed to really enjoy life and always looked happy. In fact when we used to have poker sessions with other CFM husbands, it was hard to discern whether his cards on hand were really that good as he keep on smiling and bet all his chips, declaring “everything must go.”. As I now ponder on his recent passing away, this unforgettable expression seemed to acquire a new meaning. Maybe Tony was really telling us that in this world, everything must go; that we cannot bring anything with us into our grave.

Another friend who recently died was Bobby Viray, a co-Rotarian in the Rotary Club of Cubao West, who became a District Governor in District 3780 covering the entire Quezon City serving for two terms.

One of Bobby’s distinguishing traits was his readiness to help others especially those he thought need it most. He was also a good strategist and tactician especially in winning friends and influencing people. Indeed this became useful when he decided to run for District Governor and won the race hands down. He also helped in the successful campaign of my son Jopet when he first entered into politics in the fourth district of Quezon City, giving him some useful and effective advice on campaigning. As they say, the good really die young because Bobby died only a few months after his 60th birthday. 

Of course there were also the recent deaths in the Mathay family, the brothers Mel and Ponciano that somehow caused us some sense of loss because they have also contributed a lot in public service. Mel was a former Mayor of Quezon City who served for several terms while Pons had a stint in several important positions particularly as Executive Secretary and Secretary of the Department of Justice.

One way or the other those of us they left behind especially their family could not help but feel some kind of regret in their passing away because of their contribution to the betterment of our society.

This intimation of mortality therefore reminds us once more that life in this world is only temporary. Indeed we are only here as pilgrims on a journey towards another life of eternal bliss. It reminds us that life is short and death is certain although we do not know when it will come. This is a reminder that should really spur us to spend the rest of our life doing good and preparing for the next life.

We should prepare by living and enjoying our life to the full so that when we meet God, He will tell us “well done good servant.” In this preparation we should also see to it that whatever maternal possessions we leave behind, as we really cannot bring any of them with us, should not be the source of rancor and division among our loved ones. We should see to it that when we are gone everything is in order so that those we will leave behind will live in peace and harmony. Since life is short and we really do not know when it will end, we should be prepared to go at anytime. 

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