I was in preschool when I learned my parents were going to die.
Not immediately, but just that they would.
Sitting on the floor at the back of the class made it difficult to see the book Teacher Shiela was reading to us, so I knelt and sat myself on the backs of my heels.
“Wag kang lumuhod nang ganyan, mamamatay ang mga magulang mo.” My classmate said to me. Don’t kneel like that, your parents are going to die. He was probably just repeating some ridiculous old wives tale he heard at home, nothing malicious. But that was the day I was awakened to the concept of mortality, that my parents wouldn’t be around forever.
One day, my parents were going to die. And that realization hit me like a truck.
I burst into tears.
I don’t remember how things happened after that moment. The boy was gently told off (he didn’t know any better) and I ended up on Teacher Shiela’s lap, softly sobbing as she finished reading the story.
Mom and Pops were told about what had happened that day at school and I think they took the time to talk to me when they got home from work that night.
They sat me down and explained to me that death was a natural part of life and that one day, yes, they will no longer be around (I started crying again), but they would always be with me even after they pass on and go to Heaven.
That feeling came back to me today as a 34-year-old woman, bursting into tears over the fact that my parents will not be with me forever.
There will come a day when I will speak to them for the last time.
I will have something spectacular happen to me and will want to tell them about it, but I will not be able to.
And truth be told, that feeling didn’t just come back today.
I think ever since I knelt that day, I’ve never stopped thinking about my parents’ mortality.
So even through my frustration with them at times, or when we don’t see eye to eye, it pushes me to always seek love and understanding in how my individual relationships with them have evolved.
Almost like Little Inka is always there to remind me when I forget.
So I guess Little Inka wants me to remind you that your loved ones will not be around forever. Whether it’s your parent or your child or your siblings or significant other. Even your pets.
Remember this while they’re still around 🤍
I was in preschool when I learned my parents were going to die.
Not immediately, but just that they would.
Sitting on the floor at the back of the class made it difficult to see the book Teacher Shiela was reading to us, so I knelt and sat myself on the backs of my heels.
“Wag kang lumuhod nang ganyan, mamamatay ang mga magulang mo.” My classmate said to me. Don’t kneel like that, your parents are going to die. He was probably just repeating some ridiculous old wives tale he heard at home, nothing malicious. But that was the day I was awakened to the concept of mortality, that my parents wouldn’t be around forever.
One day, my parents were going to die. And that realization hit me like a truck.
I burst into tears.
I don’t remember how things happened after that moment. The boy was gently told off (he didn’t know any better) and I ended up on Teacher Shiela’s lap, softly sobbing as she finished reading the story.
Mom and Pops were told about what had happened that day at school and I think they took the time to talk to me when they got home from work that night.
They sat me down and explained to me that death was a natural part of life and that one day, yes, they will no longer be around (I started crying again), but they would always be with me even after they pass on and go to Heaven.
That feeling came back to me today as a 34-year-old woman, bursting into tears over the fact that my parents will not be with me forever.
There will come a day when I will speak to them for the last time.
I will have something spectacular happen to me and will want to tell them about it, but I will not be able to.
And truth be told, that feeling didn’t just come back today.
I think ever since I knelt that day, I’ve never stopped thinking about my parents’ mortality.
So even through my frustration with them at times, or when we don’t see eye to eye, it pushes me to always seek love and understanding in how my individual relationships with them have evolved.
Almost like Little Inka is always there to remind me when I forget.
So I guess Little Inka wants me to remind you that your loved ones will not be around forever. Whether it’s your parent or your child or your siblings or significant other. Even your pets.
Remember this while they’re still around 🤍