When Death Becomes a Blessing…Goodbye to a Beloved Brother
10th August 2007
By Joy B. Miranda
After almost 20 years of combat against Multiple Sclerosis, my dear brother Jun finally got his long-awaited rest. I should say that part of me is deeply sad to let him go, but another part is happy for him knowing finally that he won’t be suffering anymore…Manuel “Jun” B. Miranda Jr. drew his last breath ten in the morning, Philipppine time last Wednesday, August 8, 2007. He was 36.
I will re-post an article I wrote about him, his battle against his strange, incurable illness, his unrelented patience and perseverance, and most of all, despite of all, his fear to the ALMIGHTY. Published in 2005 in a quarterly magazine of St. Paul’s Anglican Cathedral, Nicosia, I hope that Jun’s story will last a lifetime in all the readers’ minds.
To Jun, be at peace now in God’s loving hands. I will be missing you, we will be missing you. Dimple said that she is sad because she had been a bad niece to you. But you know that your pamangkins cared about you, though sometimes grown ups have had their excuses to spare themselves from taking orders from you. And I knew that you understood it well. And I knew that you cared and loved them well enough to ask our CREATOR to take you in HIS caring hands, because you knew that as you suffer more, we were also in pain especially Mama Terry, and it was just as unbearable as you could imagine.
Our telephone conversation last week had left me in tears, especially when you asked me when am I going back home again. I said probably next year and you replied, “Dugaya pa oy!” But then when I said bye, you just uttered “I love you sis, Im sorry you have to be away for us, for me.” When Tiny told me that you were gone, then I recollected those last words from you. Oh, Im so sorry Jun, I didnt realise that you were preparing to leave us and you cant wait for me anymore. That leaves me weeping for all eternity!
My trip home last Christmas was the most memorable event in our lives. We were all together. Sorry for all our shortcomings bro. Thank you for rendering a song to Bea during her debut party. We will keep that video of yours singing a meaningful song, “I will be here.” It has been a tiring 20 years journey Balong. Rest now my ading in God’s care, take our love and prayers. Amen.