21 Sep My Brother Maurice

Tonight, I talked to my brothers and sisters from Manila and LA. We were discussing the end of life of my brother Maurice. There is a deep sadness. Flashbacks of memories revisited my mind. Where did the time go? It felt like we were still all children living in a huge home with 9 siblings and my parents. This is back in Manila, Philippines where I grew up. It was in the 60’s and back then life was much simpler. I remember playing in the street with a lot of neighbors and we grew up together like a community. We belong to each other. We climbed trees, played hula hoop, and danced in the rain. 

Growing up in the Philippines is different from the western culture. You know you neighbor and family, not just your playmate but the whole clan. We were tight. I witnessed my brothers and sisters get into fights and I became accustomed to dramas in the family. I tend to cry a lot and go inside my room when they were fighting. I was a very sensitive child. But growing up as number 10^th gave me a lot of challenge especially in voicing out what I want. I needed a lot of attention. And to get some points I needed to please my family. I became an entertainer of the family. They will put me on top of the round table, and I will grab a cord to pretend that it was my microphone. There, I was performing, dancing and singing for everyone. They will start laughing and will give me money for my entertainment. That was my role. I wanted to be an actress, but it only lasted for few roles in the stage plays in my school at St. Paul’s Paranaque. Because my Mama who was very strict will not allow me to be an actress. 

One night after our dubbing in the city, my brother Mike and I went home at midnight. My Mama was waiting for us and when we opened the door, she literally had her slippers flying off the wall to hit my brother for taking me in the film industry. That was the end of my dream. 

Maurice my brother who was diagnosed with Lung Cancer in stage four lives in LA. He is 62 and two yrs older than me. We grew up very close. But when we migrated to LA as teens, we became estrange to each other. We were both depressed for being pulled away from our friends in Philippines. Like a plant being pulled out from its soil, we felt alienated in a new country. We were both lost in our teens. 

He did not have a very good self-esteem. He resorted to drugs as medicine to heal his void. He went with the wrong crowd, and it was kind of late when we found out that if affected his brain function. He became homeless. My parents who are in their senior years took care of Maurice until he was in his 40’s. My parents were his security to survive this world. He was happy living with them and became their dependent. 

When my parents passed away, we knew no one will be able to take care of Maurice. He ended up living in a group home. We visit him as much as we can. But my brother Marty takes him out every Saturday for lunch and Maurice felt loved. He had accepted his life in the group home and made friends with his roommates.

I asked the Akashic Records, “what is the lesson or gift of Maurice to our family?” The answer that I received was beyond my imagination. It was about his soul incarnated to experience poverty, loneliness, homelessness, and addiction in order for our family to learn the lesson of compassion, kindness and humility to those who are suffering. It was deep and meaningful; I was humbled to receive this gift. With Maurice suffering, we became a better human. We lost judgement to those who are suffering because we have a brother that suffered. 

The pain of others is truly our own suffering. It is like a part of our DNA receives this and we become more aware and conscious to help those who are suffering. Indeed, we are one. Tonight, as I contemplate on my brother’s gift to my soul. I am grateful for his presence in my life. I know he will be free from this body soon and he will be a strong guiding light to us all in our spiritual journey. 

May you be free from any suffering. May you be surrounded by leagues of angels in your transition. May you be at peace, with ease and divine grace Maurice. I love you!