“Eli, 68, Had Breast Cancer… Never Lost Her Zest For Life And Love And Care For Friends And Family” – Katherine Lopez

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As an 82-year old teacher, today, Sunday, 23 Jan 2023, I received a lesson on living from a surprising source, Filipina  Katherine Lopez, who is visiting the Philippines from IITA (Ibadan). She is a not-close friend, but with today’s Facebook post, I consider her now more than a friend!

Kath posted the above Facebook image with these words:

We want this page, Celebrating The Life Of Eli Libas, to serve as a platform for all of us to share the beautiful memories we have with our dear Eli. Feel free to post your photos and messages to celebrate her remarkable life.

I was led to that page by Kath’s own Facebook post I saw earlier today that said:

It is with sadness that we would like to let you all know that our dear friend Eli Libas quietly and peacefully left us to join our creator this morning. (22 Jan 2023)

Eli, 68, had breast cancer and other health issues but she never lost her zest for life and love and care for friends and family and those around her despite her deteriorating condition. She had many loving friends and a huge family. She had a life well-lived and was a bright ray of sunshine and hope to many.
(“Celebrate” from hazelosbornecounsellor.com)

“A bright ray of sunshine and hope to many.”

Eli would not want us to grieve long for her. Thus, friends have created a Facebook page to celebrate her life through posts, messages, and testimonials. Here is the link: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=100550919618632&id=100089911711328&sfnsn=mo&mibextid=RUbZ1f

A teacher and at 82+, I have never heard a lesson like “would not want us to grieve long for her” and “to celebrate her life” – I now realize death is only once but we have opportunities to celebrate life each day!

Let us celebrate life! Here are some “death & life” pickings from the Internet to help us along:

Pamela Boyce, one of the rescuers from the deadly attack on the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers, said before she died, knowing the dangers: “Don’t mourn my death, celebrate my life” (Scott Martelle & Christine Hanley, 19 Sept 2001, “Don’t Mourn My Death, Celebrate My Life,” Los Angeles Times, latimes.com).

Yoda of Star Wars said, “Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into the Force.”

Quora question (quora.com): “Do you want your friends and family to mourn your death or celebrate your life?’ This is the response of Rachel Jerdin, who worked as Director of Social Services in a hospital:

Perhaps a combination of these. I think people will mourn you when you die, but I have been to a celebration of life of one, who died which was a lovely gathering.

Now, a parting shot from American celebrity Oprah Winfrey: “The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.”

Death happens to each of us sooner or later; so, while we can, let us find time to celebrate life!@517

 

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