There Must Be a Reason

It's one of those days when the skies are gray and the rains keep pouring incessantly It's one of those days when the skies are gray and the rains keep pouring incessantly. There are no strong winds to accompany it... just the rains as if they were tears falling.

Reportedly the northern towns of the Province of Iloilo are experiencing so much volume of the water making some fishponds overflow and some rice lands flooded. The resource persons interviewed in the radio is giving a down heartening estimate of the damages so far and the anchorperson keeps giving caution to the people to remain vigilant in the monitoring of the rise in the water levels especially with the houses near the rivers. 

Earlier this week, in the central part of the province, a father drowned while crossing the flooded river in Lambunao, Iloilo. Allegedly, the man went to look for some root crops across the river because his family had nothing to eat. Hoping that he’d get enough from their small patch of camote (sweet potato) and maybe more to be sold in the market, he risked the going across despite the inclement weather. He hoped to have money to be spent for the graduation of a son who is graduating on Thursday, March 29, 2012. Seeing the plight of the man struggling with the water current, the wife and an elder daughter also swam to help him which almost cost them their lives too. As of press time, they are still in the hospital recovering from the stress and harm. It is just sad to know that one responsible father of the family is lost when all he hoped was just enough good for the family he had. 

                                                                                  --#-- 

In another barangay, a mother was so overjoyed that an elementary daughter is to graduate with honors. She broke her piggy bank and got every saving there to go to town with the daughter to buy her a dress, shoes and some noodles to prepare for the next day in their celebration. They have to cross the river in order to reach the town.

So, that very morning - the mother, daughter, and their carabao, crossed the river for their errand. In the afternoon, they were back with all that they bought. However, the river seemed to have more water than when they left. The mother, placed the daughter at the back of their beast and she pulled the carabao after her. Unfortunately, the underwater current grew stronger that the mother slipped. She tried to swim but the carabao also tripped thus dropping the girl. By this time they were in the middle of the river.

According to some residents they heard screams (that didn’t last long) but because of the distance and the pouring rain, they mistook it to be just the noise of the flowing waters or the rustling leaves. No one came to investigate the source at that time. That evening the loss was reported to the police headquarters and the search ensued. It was an all night empty search for the missing mother and daughter by the rescue group... 

Early this morning of March 28, 2012, the carabao was found several hundreds of meters from where they crossed. It has weakened but is still alive. About a hundred meters away, they found the child with all the bruises on the face and wounds on the arms and legs. Another hundred of meters away, they found the mother with almost the same bruises and wounds. The police believed that they were dashed to the stones by the current and they were both found the next day - DEAD!

These were two tragic circumstances that could have spelled joy had it happened otherwise. Two parents hoping the best for their children that were claimed by the rivers they used to cross in all their lifetime. 

"Why must it happen now?" was the sad lament of one daughter. No one can answer this, of course.

What a loss!!! May God have mercy on their souls... and may His mercy reign. HE ALWAYS KNOWS WHAT'S BEST FOR EVERYONE ANYWAY.