Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Until We Meet Again...

Many people walk in and out of our lives, but only true friends are the ones who never leave our hearts. Even if they leave for a while… even after years apart, we pick up with them right where we left off. And even if they die they're never dead in our hearts for they leave footprints that will forever remain…

Sept. 29 was a sad day for me and those who have known Engr. Victor B. Sulit. Vic was truly a very good friend! He was one of those people from my UST-EE group of friends who I felt so comfortable with. He was such an excellent confidant, good adviser & expert listener.  He was a very serious yet funny guy. Most of the time he would remain quiet, just listening to conversations then all of a sudden, he would say his punch line which can make us all laugh.  Vic’s house has been our favorite hangout.  Whether from section A or section B, everybody felt welcomed at Vic’s house! It has been our venue for group reviews, post prelims & final exam celebrations, project making, birthday celebrations, plain kitakits and even my despedida party before going to TX. He had more friends than I can count, because he made each one of us feel like his friend. And even after college, even though we had our own families and careers, he managed to get the group together in their house at least once a year.

Vic’s death was so sudden.  I remember when I got the message from Ian. I simply could not believe it. He was too young. I was hoping it was just a joke. But who would use a friend’s death as a joke?  I kept on asking why a good person like him died at a young age. But as it slowly occurred to me, I have realized that Vic indeed lived his life wonderfully. He was a good person. He was well-loved and he had done so many good things. So maybe, he already fulfilled God’s purpose for him….that’s why it’s time for him to go. Or maybe God wanted to spare him the pain of having to go through a severe ailment, that’s why God brought him home at such a young age. But who really knows? We have so many unanswered questions, but God alone has all the answers. For God to explain to us why Vic died at this particular time, would be like an electrical engineer trying to explain the theories of electricity to a 2 yr-old. In a situation like this, when the life of a family member or friend is interrupted so abruptly,  the hardest thing to do is simply to trust God.  And yet, that's exactly what He wants us to do.  He wants us to believe that He has plans for us and He knows what’s best for us. He wants us to accept that even though the death of  someone close to us is a very painful experience, it will give us a new beginning. At this point,  I am comforted with the belief  that God has good reasons for taking him. I know that Vic is now in the most perfect place imaginable…and someday,  we’ll see him  again.

For now,  let us just be grateful for having known Victor Sulit – a truly  compassionate, generous and kind friend.  Each of us knows how blessed we were to share 20 years of friendship  with him.

Thank you so much for the friendship, Vic!  All the good times we have shared with you will forever be cherished and remembered.  You will forever live in our hearts. For all of us, things will never be the same without you… We will miss you more than you’ll ever know…

Rest in peace, my friend!  Your family is in good hands. God will constantly comfort and protect them. He has you in his keeping now…and we have you in our hearts.