The day Patsy died

Patsy went missing after lunch on 3rd August 2009. Yesterday morning, I was told she was found dead in a drain in the neighbourhood and the authority came, put her in a black garbage bag and took her away. I went round the neighbourhood (all dressed up as there was a funeral mass to attend in the afternoon) checking through every black garbage bag hoping to find my dead dog until I came to a house and the owner came out and wondered what I was looking for in his trash. He told me the dog has been taken away…

I called up AVA, incineration plants and by the time I contacted NEA, I was already in tears. Thanks God they managed to locate Patsy and even arranged to deliver her back even though I offered to go and pick her up. I went from tearing to weeping to crying and it must have shock the seminarians to see my expression of grief. Many asked why I did not cry when the two priests died but was absolutely distraught over a dog. Perhaps I took the opportunity to cry my heart out after months of emotional scuffle. Someone offered to give me his German Shepherd, his name is King. I like German Shepherd (man and dog alike, I like only intelligent ones) but no other dogs can replace Patsy, my Queen.

Patsy is not just a dog, she is my companion. She stayed with me in my office all day, walked with me to lunch; hide under my table when it rained. In her younger days, she ran after my car when I come and go. She never barks, never get angry, always loving always there for me.

I came back in the evening to see her before burial. No one dare open the bag, blood was oozing out. I tore it open but there were many layers and I have no strength to lift it up. I told the guys to do it as I wanted to see her for a last time. I could see how frightened they were… of a dead dog, blood, whatever! We said a prayer and buried her. I stayed behind to tidy her grave… the Archbishop came to the garden and asked if I am grieving over the dog… yes I am grieving not just over Patsy but many, many other issues as well.

This morning, no one dare to come into the office. They knew I am in a foul mood. When Patsy went missing, I told the staff and seminarians to go to the four corners of the earth to find her… every room, drains, neighbourhood even the jungle out there… must find her as she was very old and sickly of late but they did not . Yes, it hurts to see her suffering but it’s certainly unimaginable that she died in a dreadful way… alone in a drain or worst still end up in the incineration plant like a piece of trash!

When death comes knocking

If there is one thing we can be certain of in life, it is death. It is not death per se that most people are afraid of, after all once you are dead, you won't know and feel anything about it. What is frightening to people is the process of dying and another potentially frightening event is the death of a loved one which is certainly very sad and painful.

The causes of death range widely from terminal illness, sudden death, accidental etc. Whatever the cause, the outcome is the same. A loved one is no longer with us. When death touches us, it is multi-faceted and there is no right or wrong answer.

Yesterday, Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett died one after another. Today, it’s someone else and tomorrow is may be you and I. Death will come to take us away and there is no escape death comes every day. We can choose how we want to live but we cannot choose how and when we want to die. So, don’t bother running away cos death will find you whether you like it or not.

Life is not eternal and death will come when our responsibilities on this earth are completed. We may not know when but the end will definitely come. Young or old, be ready to die and accept death with total submission and gratitude to God for a life well-spent. Live wisely and authentically, love sincerely and whole-heartedly, give without expectation, be grateful for everything good and bad, so that when we die, there will be no regrets for some of the little things in life that we often take for granted until it is too late.

To live is to die and to die is to live. He who die before he dies does not die when he dies.

Looking at death

Today we are and tomorrow we are gone. When we are taken out of sight, soon we pass out of mind as well. Hence, we ought to master ourselves in every act and thought as if we were to die today. If we have a good conscience, we would not fear death so much, If you are not prepared today, how will you be ready tomorrow? Tomorrow is an uncertainty and how do you know if tomorrow ever come?

What good is it to live long when we improve so little. A long life that does not make us a e better person often adds to our problems. Would that we could spend even one day well in this world?Many people are afraid to die but yet make no attempts to change their lives.

Blessed is the person who always has the hour of death before his eyes and who is daily prepared to die. Always be ready and live authentically so that death may never find you unprepared. Many people die suddenly and unexpectedly for no one knows when that final hour will come. When that final hour does come, you will begin to think quite differently about all your part life and you will be exceedingly sorry that you were so heartless, unkind and remiss.

How happy and wise is that person who strives now to be in life what he wished to be found in death. He will die happily if has lived for God and not for himself with a burning desire to advance in virtue, love of discipline, spirit of penance, self denial and the strength to bear any hardhip for the love of God. Strive to live in such a way that in the hour of death, you may rejoice rather than fear.

Will you live or will you die?

Suicide: An Unnecessary Death is an interesting book that addresses all the major areas of concern and interest. This is a subject that makes us feel sad and to some extent still remains a taboo in society. Suicidal behavior is a leading cause of injury and death worldwide. A cold look at data collates and disseminates by WHO on mortality and morbidity indicates approximately 1 million people around the world take their life every year and at least 10 times as many attempted suicide. It is regrettable that only a handful of authorities realised the economic and human burden suicide caused. Do they care about the suffering of families, friends and loved ones left behind? Are there sufficient ongoing efforts to decrease the significant loss of life caused by suicidal behavior? Do men live and die in vain? How sorrowful to approach the end of life without any accomplishment or closure.....


The past is but the beginning of a beginning, and all that is or has been is but the twilight of the dawn -H.G. Wells