Rest in Peace ,Tita Cory!

As I hear the news today of the former president's passing away, I can't help but feel really sad. Despite the fact that we all know about her condition -- stage 4 colon cancer. It still does not make it easy to accept the fact that she is gone. However, just like in my prayer we need leave it all up to the Lord.

President Cory Aquino has definitely made a difference in a lot of people's lives. After the assassination of her husband, Senator Benigno Aquino, she became the first woman president of the country through a peaceful "EDSA People Power revolution". I was still young then, but I can already remember the occurrence that had transpired during that time. My mom watched every episode of that historic event. It was observed all over the world and was acclaimed internationally and gave her the the title "icon of democracy" but to her, she was a plain housewife who could not refuse her country's call to service. She is truly and exceptional person.

Why do I call her Tita Cory? I don't know her personally but I feel that she is a "Tita" or an "auntie" whom you can go to whenever you need her. Her aura replicates that of a mother, not only the mother of democracy, but a real mother that you can rely on whenever you are down.

Now as she joins our Creator, the whole nation mourns the loss of a great leader and a mother, but not for long for we know that she is at peace where she is right now. She has prepared herself for this as evidenced by this prayer that she wrote ...

Prayer for a Happy Death
by : Maria Corazon "Cory" Aquino
Almighty God, most merciful Father
You alone know the time
You alone know the hour
You alone know the moment
When I shall breathe my last.

So, remind me each day,
most loving Father
To be the best that I can be.
To be humble, to be kind,
To be patient, to be true.
To embrace what is good,
To reject what is evil,
To adore only You.

When the final moment does come
Let not my loved ones grieve for long.
Let them comfort each other
And let them know
how much happiness
They brought into my life.
Let them pray for me,
As I will continue to pray for them,
Hoping that they will always pray
for each other.

Let them know that they made possible
Whatever good I offered to our world.
And let them realize that our separation
Is just for a short while
As we prepare for our reunion in eternity.
Our Father in heaven,
You alone are my hope.
You alone are my salvation.
Thank you for your unconditional love, Amen.


Photo is courtesy of Wikipedia