Rest in Peace, Uncle Albert

A sad moment for my family: Uncle Albert, my grandfather's brother, passed away.

We call him Uncle even if he is my grandfather's brother because that's how we always called him, even as kids. He just celebrated his 88th birthday earlier this year and despite battling illness, his mind was as sharp as a tack. Their immediate family lost two people last year so one wish he had back then was that no one else in the family would go this year so it's heartbreaking that he didn't quite get his wish. That said, he did live a very full life and he was surrounded by love and by the people he loved before he passed on.

I took time off from work to attend the funeral. Uncle Albert was laid to rest next to his wife, Auntie Isabel, who passed on just a year ago. Among the many things he was known for was his predilection for wearing hats. Anytime there was a family gathering, he would always show up wearing one of his many hats. In his memory and in celebration of his life, his family brought his hat collection to the funeral and they asked all the men to wear one of his hats.

During the interment, Tito Chet, who is Uncle Albert's son-in-law, asked me to sing. He said that if Uncle Albert was still alive, he would have asked me to sing (as he did when Auntie Isabel was interred last year). I sang "Lead me Lord" and "Lift up your hands", both songs by Basil Valdez. I selected these songs because they were both hopeful, with themes of trusting in the Lord to help us get through difficult times. After singing both songs, the interment process was still not done so Tita Eileen said I should sing "Hindi Kita Malilimutan." This song is a lot more emotional than the other two I sang which is why I didn't originally plan to sing it. In fact, while I was singing, I heard Uncle Albert's best friend say that it was a very sad song. It did move quite a few people but I guess that's because it hits home: we really won't ever forget Uncle Albert.

It really is very sad that Uncle Albert is no longer with us. He was very vibrant and colorful and had such a life force, and you always felt his presence when he was around. Family gatherings will never be the same without him. We love you and we will miss you, Uncle Albert!