glimpse of miracles

glimpse of miracles

Eulogy
josefina nono lisboa
1928 - 2008


greetings friends and family,
from her loving husband, children and grandchildren...

We want to share the truth revealed by Pope Benedict XVI: spe salvi…
He wrote;

"Death admittedly one would wish to postpone for as long as possible, but then the question arises, do we really want to live eternally? But to live always, without end – all things considered, can only be monotonous and ultimately unbearable. As St. Ambrose (one of the church Fathers) said in the funeral discourse for his deceased brother: Death was not part of nature it became part of nature, God did not decree death from the beginning; He prescribed it as a remedy. Human life because of sin began to experience the burden of wretchedness or in unremitting labour and unbearable sorrow. There had to be a limit to its evils; death is, then, no cause for mourning, for it is the cause of mankind's salvation…"

Our utmost gratitude to Dr. Cunanan, Dr. Leyson, Dr. Paul. Dr. Mons, Dr. Ang and the nursing staff, the attendants and the best of the medical staff, who was not only cared but given Mamang the hope and chance to hang on inspite of all the odds. We are grateful indeed to all her friends who were constantly on her side to comfort her and given her precious moments until the last breath. Also thanks to Governor Reyes and Congressman Alvarez her Co-teacher; the senior citizens; the COG, jong's friends; and john's friends in Kuwait and his church communities there esp. Fr. Windel; Nancy's friends in Riyadh and her CFC community, and all the people/s who gave support in many ways…

Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat!

Almost 55 years ago Mamang arrived here in Palawan from Iloilo to venture into life of services as a teacher, sacrifices as a lone daughter of our grandparents, love for our father Dodoy and everything else that is good and righteous for us her children.

We are all in great pain and full of sorrow for the loss of Mamang. A tragedy for the family, we hardly could bear and accept that she is gone now. But we are able to hold on, to move on. Your being with us today and all these moments of Mamang struggle, that you have been a part of this misery and make our burden a little lighter.

We are not at all wholly saddened by Mamang demise, we are In larger sense full of happiness that God has given us all a lifetime of love, care & understanding thru Mamang, a blessing beyond the other gifts we have triumph in life. The goodness that made us stronger and the bond we continue to enjoy was a gift Mamang has left us that shall transcend on to our children and that we can share to our friends and to others.

Mamang left behind everything and become committed to become a teacher, what could have been an easier life in Miagao, Iloilo as the sole daughter of a landed family. She opted to be a teacher and finally a mother of six children leaving behind all her properties and wealth for our sake. What great love and sacrifice is there to compare?

Mang became part of what was then the greatness of Culion. A true public servant dedicated to the preposition that to live is to let live life in its fullness and giving to others is a privilege beyond doubt.

She has teached us by her simple gesture of concern and love with a ready helping hand.

As the final chapter of Mamang's life comes to an end, let it be ours to share a reflection of our own destiny, with a strong past. We owe to Mamang and a conviction to continue the goodness of the same love & passion she has shown..

Mang's journey in this life was full of joy in the sense of challenging discourses of life itself, as a mother and as a teacher. She can always sense the goodness of a person inside. Yes she has weaknesses too as all humans have, but her kind of action was simply the actualization of disciplined-life of joy and happiness.

Our experience of Mamang's love through her sacrifices were simply glimpses and signs of miracles, the beauty of life amidst the sufferings, because we believed that we also embraced the cross of Christ.

We continue to thank all the people who supported Mamang and the whole family in these times of unbearable sorrow, losing a true mother in all her sufferings that lead us all to realized the real gifts of faith, hope and love giving us the spiritual growth or the gifts of the Holy Spirit not only for the whole family but most especially for Mamang and her preparation and acceptance to meet our mighty father the creator. It was a meaningful journey for all of us a great encounter of the presence of God because we can only put our whole trust in God.

We treasure these trials because we had established a firm foundation of our faith so remained steadfast and at the same time grateful for all the blessings in the guise of pain and sorrow for we have seen God on Mamang.

The whole family cried a lot even until this very moment. But our tears now could also be tears of joy because we all believed that our mother's death is an assistance of grace and the blessings of immortality, that is the salvation of our faith and hope, the fulfillment of Christ death for us in the love of God! Bible defines love of that of a mother. How can a mother forget her child? That is next to impossible, and that is Mamang's love for all of us! She can never-never forget her child…

From Papang to her children and grandchildren our unending thankfulness for this beautiful life she had shown to us all.

Thank you forever Mang!

We will always love you!

Paalam at maraming salamat sa lahat lahat…