It’s been a little over 7 months since my brother passed, but I’m still at the height of my grief. His death was quick & sudden, albeit not pain-free. Visiting him at the crypt still gets me sad & weepy.

I got a call early morning of June 11 – several calls actually, coming from his wife. I normally put my phone on silent so as to not disturb Kap & the kids (we co-sleep). Kap was actually the one who heard my phone buzzing relentlessly & woke me upon seeing the caller. He KNEW there was something wrong because of the timing, and because of who was making the call.

And he was right. :'( Arcie, in a panicked voice, told me that my brother was no longer breathing & asked for help. I told her to call an ambulance right away, she said they were on their way but my brother could not be resuscitated. It was just her, my brother, and their 13 year old young son in the house. She was totally helpless.

I felt my world crumble, a cold feeling washed over me. We were not on the best of terms, but an early death was not something I ever imagined happening! I still had so much things to make right, so many words to say to him, so many regrets to make amends for.

My brother, my only baby brother, was just starting to put things in order & turn his life around. Last February, after 22 years together, he finally married Arcie. He quit drinking, started eating healthy & exercising, going around in his bike for hours. In fact, he lost so much weight & got rid of his beer belly. His relationship with God was at the highest peak, and his faith in God was insurmountable. Whenever we’d get the chance to talk & I would complain, he’d quote a bible verse at me and say “Ach, God is good all the time.”

We were just in the process of making up & getting closer. We were finally communicating like adults & not fighting every time we’d talk. We were texting each other just to say hello, and sending one another random things like food. We were finally on the road to healing.

On his last trip abroad just 2 months before he passed, I asked him to check out the Mission to the Moon watch for my son in Swatch. Normally, he wouldn’t have done it kasi hassle & he doesn’t like going out of the way. But since the pandemic, our relationship got better & we got along more. So he walked the extra mile for me, showing he really cared & was attempting to make up for his side of the shortcomings.

And then God took him home. </3 Arcie told me “parang binangungot Ach. Nanigas yung kamay nya at nangisay, tapos hindi na humihinga.” It was so surreal hearing her say those words. It was a normal night for them just like other nights, nothing unusual. They watched tv, then slept. David even made plans for them to eat out the next day. Then she woke up to his shaking & that was it. He never woke up, and I hope to God that the pain was short & quick. That was how my brother’s life ended, at age 49. So, so young.

Farewell my baby brother, until we meet again. I’m sorry for all the heartaches I gave you along the way. All the mean words I said out of anger & spite. I’m sorry for not being patient enough, for not loving & understanding you more. For not reaching out so many times when I could have. I wasn’t a good Achi to you & I will carry that pain & regret for the rest of my life.

I’ll love you forever,
I’ll like you for always,
As long as I’m living
my baby brother you’ll be.

MARSHALL DAVID CO UY. November 07, 1972 – June 11, 2022. Beloved Son, Brother, Husband, Father, and Friend. Gone but will ALWAYS be cherished, and NEVER forgotten. <3