Hands-on

The Death

August 25 is the death anniversary of our beloved aunt, Indo Simay.  She died last August 25, 1998 at the age of 83.  I can still remember when I was  in the private school.  An office staff called me saying that I had a phone call. My niece was on the line and she told me that my beloved aunt, Indo Simay passed away in our province.  I could not imagine myself when I got cry.  Tears were flowing continuously on my face when I remembered the good memories of my late aunt.  Everybody in our family felt very sad when she died. Everybody knew that Indo Simay was so nice to all of us. She loved our family.  She loved her sisters so much including their siblings and grandchildren.

The Discovery

Beforehand, Indo Simay did not know her birthday since she was born.  Due to massive damages brought about World War II.  no listing of her name in the local registry records.  Ever since, she was not celebrating her birthday. She only estimating her age then. When one of my brothers incidentally found her name in the records of the Church when Indo Simay was baptized   in the Roman Catholic Church. It was stated in the record when and where she was born.  That was December 10, 1917 in Santa Cruz, Zambales, Philippines

The Very First Birthday Party

As initiated by my brother, members of Indo Simay’s extended family which include all her relatives had planned to have special event for her very first birthday party that was held last December 10, 1997.  She will be 83 years old that time on her birthday.

The very first Birthday Party of Indo Simay was very memorable moments to everybody specially for her.  All elders and living sisters with their own families were there to witness the special occasion.  It seemed that everybody was happy.  Indo Simay as a single lady and never been married was so happy that time.  She prayed first.  She did a lot of conversation with the guests and relatives.  She laughed and felt so excited what was going on that day. She even danced with the beat of the music that kept on playing in a loud speaker.  Indo Simay started to cry when each one of us danced her one at a time in the rhythm of a waltz music. Indo Simay cried because she felt how everybody really loves her in that moments. The party was accompanied by a country band. My brothers and I had rendered some folk songs with the country band.  We served a lot of foods to all the guest who attended the party. There were a lot of gifts received by Indo Simay.  All the relatives and friends gave certain amount of money to Indo Simay and pinned the money bills on her birthday clothes as they danced with her at the center of the floor.  It seemed like her wedding day.  People felt mixed emotions of happiness, love and care.  It was a whole-day event.  The following year, we did not know that the very first birthday party would be the last one for Indo Simay because it was on August 25, 1998 when she died due to pneumonia.

Indo Simay’s Legacy

Indo Simay was a very nice daughter of her parents, sister of all her sisters. She did a lot of sacrifices to all of us.  Indo Simay helped and supported her parents and sisters in various ways. She spent most of her life with her parents and sisters. She was a very hardworking person.  She worked from early in the morning until late in the evening.  Indo Simay loved us unconditionally.  She was worried so much when one of us were suffering from any illness.  She was crying when one of us was missing.  Indo Simay was a religious woman.  She never lost faith to God.  She kept on praying to God in the morning, afternoon and evening with the Holy Rosary on her hand.  Indo Simay was attending the weekly Holy Mass even she was working seven days a week.   She never left my mother while we were growing up. Indo Simay served, cared and loved us with all her efforts, skills and abilities.  We treasured so much all her advises and kindness.  Indo Simay can be considered as the unsung hero in the modern world. I know you are in heaven now, Indo Simay, because you really deserved to be there with the Almighty God forever.  We keep on praying for your soul. We love you so much, Indo Simay.

Tags: birthday, birthday party, care, culture, death, death anniversary, family, Indo Simay, love, mother, Philippine tradition, Philippines, reunion, sacrifice, single woman