When husbands or wives lose their partners, the person left behind is called a widow.
When a parent dies, the children left behind are called orphans.
When a child dies, what do we call the parents who were left behind?
Nothing. The condition and the sadness is simply indescribable.
Jophiela is a wonderful special child that brought joy in her family's lives. I was reluctant to go to her wake because I was tired for the day and I wanted to rest at home - something I look forward to every time I come from the city. I'm glad that my father insisted that I go.
You see, whenever I see rowdy kids in the malls, or in schools, I think about how bad their parents should be. Why weren't they teaching their kids manners and etiquettes? Why would parents have kids in the first place if they wouldn't invest enough time to make sure that their kids grow up into good people? Then I wonder how I'd be as a parent someday. And realize that I couldn't imagine the feeling of being solely responsible for someone else' life. Then...what if I had a special child? Would that be awful? Would I resent the child? Would I be a bad parent?
Jophiela's mom spoke about their life with a wonderful, special child. She said that many people think they sacrificed a lot of things to maintain Jophiela's quality of life, but the mom says they didn't sacrifice anything at all. That having Jophiela has been comfortable because they molded their needs into a way of life.
Special children are still first and foremost, children. What difference would it be if someone had a special child and if someone had normal child? Normal kids don't always turn out well even though they had all the proper nourishment and nurturing.
Rest in peace, Jophiela.
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