Rest In Peace Papa Mike

Today, my Uncle passed away...  it is a very SAD day for all of us who got to share our lives with him.... Though I did not see him much most of my years in the US - I have nothing but FOND memories of him...   I remember before heading to the US, we always spent my school summer vacation at his family home in Batangas....   He was always fair, loving, and generous - not just to his own kids but to us, nephews and nieces, as well....   and he was always willing to help family generously and positively...  I know that from my Mom's stories, he was always helping her out, throughout the years while he was still working...  most of the time secretly, so as to not upset others... 

He worked many years in Saudi Arabia....  brought up and provided for his wife and 4 kids and kept his family very much together.....   this he did happily for so many years, till he suffered an accident that left him a bit paralyzed for a little bit....

Over the years I got to see him now and again, as I visited Manila from the US....  and of late, from Taiwan..... sadly, not so much the last few years but did get to see him last Oct (2011)....  he came with us to visit my Mom - along with their youngest sister, Tita Yvonne....  a mini family reunion... it was one of the Happiest day of my life.... seeing all of them - together - chatting about their families, lives and even their childhood friends....   All three of them Sharp as Nails!!!   Papa Mike even talked with me for a bit about traveling...  working abroad.....   the things he misses about life in a foreign land.....  and yes, told me some stories he remembers of my childhood....  for these, I will be Forever Grateful....  the chance to have spent a bit more time with him will stay in my memory and in my heart....  He was happy chappy chatting up a storm with us all....   I never even knew he had Cancer...  none of us really did....   we just knew about the mild stroke from many years ago but nothing more....

To the end, he proved himself strong....   he knew he had cancer and he accepted this and just chose to live his life as well as he could - happily....  he thought at his age, he had lived and did not want to suffer the family and cost them more grief and more pain - emotionally and financially...  so it was a shock to me when I found out about the Cancer a couple of months ago - we were told as the Cancer has started really kicking in and damaging/ affecting his health even more....  this past week, he was in a state of coma and today, he passed on....  Truly a strong and generous man - till the end....

Rest In Peace Papa Mike....  

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Now for my Biggest Dilemma:  to tell or not to tell my Mom....   I know that she should know - even if she is not able to attend the funeral because of her health....  but am so worried what it will do to her mentally, emotionally & physically.....  AM LOST!