Cherish Each Moment
Here is a letter from Carlo Cruz, husband of Leslie Cruz, one of the fatalities in the Glorietta 2 bombing. His letter stabbed me in the heart, pierced my soul. Carlo’s emotion is so palpable and sincere. May we learn how to appreciate the people around us more and more.
Good day everyone,
I wish I were writing under different circumstances.
I would like to inform you that my wife Leslie Cruz was part of the casualties in the Glorietta 2 Mall bombing in Makati City, Philippines. She was supposed to have a minor out patient surgery at Makati Medical Center at 230pm.
I had taken a leave from work to accompany her there. We dropped off our daughter, Amber, at my parents place in QC to babysit at around 10am. We then proceeded to Makati and was there at 1230pm. Since she had been fasting in preparation for her procedure, she wanted to move around and listen to some music while I grabbed a bite to eat. We parked at the basement of Park Square 2, and headed for the Glorietta 2 entrance. We parted at the top of the escalator, she turned right towards Filbar’s while I went left towards the restaurants. That was the last time I would see her.
Around 120pm, she had called me so that we can meet at the Glorietta 2 exit just in time to make her appointment. As I made my way there from Glorietta 1 through the connecting hallways, and was about to turn the corner, I heard 2 deep thumps and the shock-wave from the blast hit me. At that moment my heart dropped as I knew that the origin of the blast came from the same place where we were supposed to meet. I tried getting to where my wife was, but the dust was too much and it was as if I was staring at a white wall.
I still tried to convince myself that she was able to make it out, and that after ringing her mobile without a response only meant that she dropped it in the confusion. After 6 hours of searching from Makati Med. to Ospital ng Makati, the blast site, and back again to MMC – with the help of all the people I could get hold of, that I was able to get confirmation in what the state of my wife was.
My Dad and Uncle signaled me in from the ER of MMC. My Uncle (who’s a doctor) asked me to describe Leslie’s appearance to another group of doctors. I saw in the eyes of one that the description made sense. Instead of confirming it to me, they huddled together, then brought me to a small examination room. It was only through a digital camera that I was able to confirm (and deny) that she was indeed gone.
I have so many regrets. I should have met her sooner. I should have ran instead of a brisk walk. I should have not chose to park where I did. I should have braved the dust and went in the blast site. I should have …
Today’s the 4th day. It is still terribly difficult to breathe, let alone wake up realizing that your source of strength, your best friend doesn’t lie beside you on your bed. That my deepest worry is when Amber starts asking for her Mama.
I am glad that Amber’s too young to understand the loss and pain. In time I would like to tell her the details of how her mother died, but more importantly I would like to raise her as how her mother lived – a loving person, strong willed, decisive, caring, and nurturing. She has always cared for her family and friends, and sacrfied her career for being a full time mom and homemaker.
As with all couples we had our ups and downs - none of which I regret not going through. The sweet is never as sweet without the sour. For almost 4 years of marriage, we’ve finally hit our balance in life only to be taken away in an instant. I have no regrets about our marriage. She has loved me and Amber beyond her capacity. I will always love her.
All I want now is that for each of the couples here is to cherish each moment that we spend with our loved ones. Pretty simple to say, very easy to take for granted.
Thank you all for the prayers. I would still like to ask you to please include Leslie in them until her 40th day so that the path to God’s kingdom is well lit and she is no longer in the dark.
Sincerely,
Carlo Cruz
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October 25th, 2007 at 7:14 pm
WHY?
Thats the very question that I asked when one of my family died. I can’t accept it at first because I thought it was so unfair having someone you love go away. They have been good. They have been at their best. But how come God took them away? Why didn’t he take the criminals? Why not the rapist? Why not the evil ones? Why?
I never found the answer to my question. Maybe when I die that’s when I’ll know why.
I’ve just let them go. I am a type of person who prefers to laugh than cry or be sad. I don’t want to remember them with bad memories and heart ache. I prefer to convince myself that they are not really gone, that they are just a whisper away. Because I know in my heart that someday we’ll be together again. Time will come. I just have to live my life for now.
October 25th, 2007 at 7:27 pm
Yet you do not know what your life will be like tommorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. ~ James 4:14
our condolences and prayers to you
October 25th, 2007 at 8:09 pm
my condolences to you Carlo….
as always its true that u should cherish each moment with ur loves ones for u dont know when u will lose them.
as the song goes…”so tell sumone that u love of what ur thinking of, IF TOMMORROW NEVER COMES”
October 25th, 2007 at 10:58 pm
My condolences to you Carlo and to your family
October 25th, 2007 at 11:09 pm
My Condolences to Carlo & Family…I pray for Leslie to be at peace with God.
October 26th, 2007 at 12:11 am
condolence…
thats soooo sad.
October 26th, 2007 at 1:26 am
condolences to all the victims.
October 26th, 2007 at 2:51 am
I share his sentiments. Poor innocent people used just to bring forth changes in our very corrupt government.
Ano ba yan Gloria? Wala ka talagang gloryang maibibigay sa taumbayan. Bumaba ka na kaya?
October 26th, 2007 at 3:00 am
My initial reaction after reading this is to say I’m at a seeming loss for words…
But my heart honestly weeps with you, Carlo…
My sincerest and deepest sympathies go out to you as well as all the other individuals who have suffered unfathomable yet untimely losses brought about by this unwarranted tragedy.
May God sustain and stengthen you as you pick up the pieces and move on with your lives, and may He enable you to discern and trust in His will through all of these.
October 26th, 2007 at 3:19 am
my heart goes to the families of the victims. such tragedy no one deserves. it’s glorietta, for chrissakes.
October 26th, 2007 at 5:24 am
Condolences to Carlo and his family. I will pray that she may find happiness wherever she is.
October 26th, 2007 at 6:33 am
f*ck those people who did the bombing, as well as their ideology.
my condolences to you and you famly…
October 26th, 2007 at 10:12 am
Is he a married gay man? I’d love to be Amber’s step mom.
October 26th, 2007 at 10:28 am
i don’t know why i’m crying just by reading your story Carlo…. my prayers for your wife…. and for you and your daughter to overcome this….. God Bless…. thanks Migs for this…
October 26th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
My bleeding heart and fervent prayers go to Carlo, Amber, their family and friends, and to the family and friends of the other victims. Sometimes, I just cant understand HIS mysterious ways….
October 26th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
Easier said than done carlo but I want you to know and maybe someone already said this to you but I will say it anyway, GOD has plans, we may not see it right away, but there is for sure.
Condolence to you my buddy and I know you will do a great job raising amber.
October 28th, 2007 at 4:59 am
i saw their story in wish ko lang and regine & ogie visited d wake and sung “hanggang ngayon”, may leslie’s soul rest with her creator and carlo be given Xtra strength to go on with life in raising their child!
October 29th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
my condolences to you and to your family.. be strong..
November 15th, 2007 at 1:23 pm
I was listening to Carlo on that particular day as he was being interviewed in an AM station, he was looking for his wife. He said that he went to Makati Med (I think) to look for his wife because he fear that she’s there, but he wasn’t allowed to enter. You can hear in his voice that he’s hoping his wife is not there… and not dead. Condolence Carlo…