Better that the light cloud should fade away into heaven with the morning breath, than travail through the weary day to gather in darkness, and in storm. - Edward George Earle Lytton Bulwer-Lytoon, 1st Baron Lytton

On October 2, 2007, a few minutes past ten, our angel was taken away from us. His name is Aiden, my youngest cousin. Remembering how this child used to play around and entertain us all during family gatherings, his death felt surreal.

Almost two weeks ago, we got news from Manila on Aiden's freak accident. He was running after his kuya when he suddenly stumbled. His tongue got the first hit. He was immediately rushed to the hospital. Due to the sensitivity of body area affected during the accident, he was confined at the hospital's Intensive Care Unit. All the while, we thought he was going to do fine as the boy was showing progress and responding well with the medication.

Thus, we were surprised when we got a call from Manila a week ago. It was twelve midnight here in Calgary when my crying aunt gave me the bad news. Aiden was only given twenty four more hours to live. We were shocked and devastated. We simply could not believe that this was happening...

...Aiden is the kid who can easily compete with the Energizer bunny. He simply doesn't run out of energy. It was always a challenge to look after him and yet a pleasure to do so. For one, he is the ultimate entertainer. While most kids would be forced by their parents to perform, Aiden dances and sings with gusto the moment you ask him to. He can effortlessly do impersonations of Mr. Bean or even the Undertaker - of course complete with eyes twitching. His talent in impersonating comes from his very observant nature. He is also a fast learner and we were all expecting him to do well once he starts school. More than anything else, Aiden is the most cariñoso of all my cousins. While the rest would be told to "O kiss tito and tita first," he would hug and kiss you the moment you stepped in the house and you would feel the warmth and sincerity of his actions....

Apparently, Aiden's accident affected his brain and subsequently his other organs. To even make matters worse, we found out that he had a congenital condition as his skull wasn't fully developed. Slowly, he lost consciousness. Then, we knew that he would only be with us for a few days. It was painful not to be able to bid him goodbye. However, I felt at peace knowing that all our relatives back in Manila have showered their support and love as they all watched over him in his last few days.

Even the nurses and hospital staff were smitten by his charm. When he was still conscious, he told the nurses how pretty they were. ¡Mi primo es un adulador! He also told them to serve his favorite chocolate ice cream once he gets well. They would always drop by his room to clean him up and to make sure that he was comfortable.

Though the doctor told us that he was only given twenty four more hours to live, he lasted for a few more days. On his last night, it was my uncle's birthday. Supper was prepared and Aiden wasn't left out. They set aside some pancit and his favorite chocolate ice cream on his side. Though his heartbeat had been slowing down for the past few days, it suddenly throbbed faster. He wasn't leaving us until he got his wish.

On October 2, 2007, a few minutes past ten, Aiden died peacefully. It was the feast of angels.
Thank you for sharing yourself to us, Aiden. You will be sorely missed but it sure is good to know that we have one more angel above guarding over us. 'Til we meet again.

Think of your child; then, not as dead, but as living; not as a flower that has withered, but as one that is transplanted, and touched by a divine hand, is blooming in richer colors and sweeter shades than those on earth. - Richard Hooker