Calling, Calling

Recently, people we know have gotten seriously ill or have passed away. My parents, on their way to a wake, told my son Adi, that they would be going to the "patay" (the Tagalog word means dead). My son then replied by saying: "Why are you going to a wake? I had been to a wake before." My father just laughed and kidded my mom about not using the word "wake" in the first place.

Such situations have given me the chance to explain the concept of death to Adi. "Why do people die?" Adi asks. I tell him that maybe they got sick or are old and that God has already called them home to heaven. "How does God call them?" Another bright question from a bright son. Mommy Angel, not being as bright, decides to make up a story: "Calling, calling...insert name of dead person here." Adi gets the picture.

My bright hubby realizes early enough what I have done. He warns me that one of these days, we will be at a wake and Adi will say: "Calling, calling..." True enough, as we get off our car (we were on our way to mass when we were having this interesting conversation), Adi goes: "Calling, calling...insert name of a live person here." I had to quickly point out to him not to do that again.

Anyway, we go through life waiting for God's final call. My only wish is for all of us to live well enough for us to hear God's "Calling, calling..." when the time comes.

By the way, does anyone know why we call it a "wake" when a dead person appears to be sleeping?