PRAYERS REQUESTED

I started this day in a melancholy mood. Then I received news just a few minutes ago that really started my tears flowing. One of my former students passed away yesterday morning, October 20, 2005. His name was RUSSELL FRANCO, he was only 12 years old. He was my student when he was Grade 3. He was a shy boy, but had enough kalokohan in his system to be a normal kid. As I try to recall his face now, the picture that comes to mind is a small boy, with slightly disheveled hair, small eyes, with a shy smile on his face. And it hurts me so much more, because he was the best friend of my inaanak/surrogate brother, Christopher.


My sister, Gogi, broke the news to me just a few minutes ago, chatting on Yahoo Messenger. The tears just kept rolling down my cheeks. It seems Russell fainted in school about a month ago. He had to be hospitalized, and there they found out he had a heart condition. Chris had been wanting to visit Russell in the hospital, but because of adults' busy schedules, they never got around to doing it. Chris wanted to bring some baked goodies, for which his mother is famous for, but he never got around to doing it. But I was told, that Chris got to call him in the hospital, and he told Russell that he dedicated his participation in a Science contest to Russell.

I cannot imagine how devastating it is to lose your best friend when you are only Grade 6. At this stage, kids' concerns are usually their quiz scores, cartoons, some may start to notice girls and become curious about sex, but never losing your best friend! I am so sad. But I told Chris that what was important was that he got to show Russell that he was important to him, and he showed that he cared for him. But it's got to be tough, being 12 years old, and trying to understand death.

This made me wish, again, that I was back in Xavier. I wish I was physically there for Chris, to help him get through this. Again, I feel that I really belong in Xavier. A big part of me is still there, I tell you. Can't Xavier just move here to Sydney? Or anywhere in Australia? I'll move to wherever they decide to migrate to! Promise!

Anyway, if you are reading this, please say a prayer for Russell Franco, his family, and for his best friend Chris.