On All Soul’s day, writer and historian John Silva will have one more candle to light. It’s for his friend, Abby Tan, Singaporean journalist who covered the Philippines since the martial law years under President Marcos.
Abby passed away last Sept. 18. John was one of the two persons (the other was arts and culture advocate Maan Hontiveros) who was with Abby all throughout her four years of intense battle with cancer.
In remembering Abby, John chose to write about the five things he learned from her about dying.
Following are excerpts from the article he posted in his blog “John’s Thoughts and Deeds.”
Thoreau once remarked after seeing autumn leaves falling , “I watch these brilliant colored leaves for they teach me how to die gracefully.”
I wanted to learn how to be of solace to a dying friend. But more importantly, when my time is up, I want to replicate the grace, spunk, and love Abby demonstrated till the end. Here’s what I learned.