We remember Joel especially today and always…..Joel will always have a special place in the hearts of all the people whose lives he has touched….in small ways and in big ways. I have heard many positive remarks from many friends and acquaintances about Joel. Thank you for having great memories of Joel and for keeping him close to your hearts. We love you Jo and we miss you!
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The last time I talked to Joel was late July 2000, outside Lola Charing’s house on Pili. It must have been 2 am in the morning.
Lola Pacit jut died that morning and it was the last night of my father’s wake in San Antonio.
We were outside by the cars while the Soriano women were finalizing plans for Lola Pacit’s wake and funeral.
Despite the obviously somber and even depressing circumstances, Joel was his usual calm and comforting self. We chatted for a while. It was not small talk. Light but not frivolous banter.
He did most of the talking. And he didn’t speak of death. He spoke of life! Of what he wanted to do, of what he wanted to achieve. And he quickly got excited, becoming animated about his dreams. We ended up smiling. And laughing. An unspoken commitment to go on enjoying life despite the difficulties, despite even the possibility of an early death.
We parted ways an hour later. And I never saw him again.
Thank you, Joel, for that short talk we had. Thank you for being with me during a difficult phase in my life. And thank you for rekindling that love of life that I thought I’d never experience again.
Thank you, my friend. I will always remember you with fondness in my thoughts and prayers.
Free from your earthly mind, your heart now takes its rightful place as king.
The noise of human reason no longer denies your spirit.
Through the illusion, you now see.
Once again you delight in union with the source.
Remind me of its wisdom.
Share with me its divinity so that I may awaken my own.
When you return, may you be more free and fearless than you were before,
so that humanity will be that much closer to bringing back Heaven to Earth.
Happy 1st Rebirthday Manong Joel! I see you frolicking in the sand with very gorgeous angels.
P.S. These days Mom tells people, ” I have 7 children. One is in Heaven.” Where would the other 6 be?