IN MEMORIAM

CONCEPCION CUENCO MANGUERRA (1912-2002)

• biography

• article "Death of A Carnival Queen" by Cecilia Manguerra Brainard

• article "Mother" by Concepcion Cuenco

• pictures

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 What is Dying?      

 A ships sails and I stand
Watching till she fades on     
The horizon and someone at my
Side says, “she is gone.” Gone where?
Gone from my sight, that is all;
She is just as large as when I
Saw her. The diminished size,
And the total loss of sight is in me,
Not in her, and just at the moment
When someone at my side says,
“She is gone,” There are others who
are watching her coming, and
other voices take up a glad shout,
“There she comes!” and that is dying.                         
--Bishop Brent
(poem courtesy of Nadine Sarreal)

Those Who Plant Kindness
Harvest Love

Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there.  I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you wake in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there.  I did not die.

(poem courtesy of Rachelle Benveniste)

Though we are separated, dear mother, in this solemn hour, I call to mind the love and solicitude with which you tended and watched over my childhood, ever mindful of my welfare, and ever anxious for my happiness. Many were the sacrifices you made to ennoble my heart and instruct my mind. What I achieved is because of your influence, and what I am, I have become through you. Though you are no longer physically present, the lessons that you imparted unto me shall ever remain with me.

If at times, I have failed in showing you the love and appreciation which you so worthily deserved, if I have been thoughtless and ungrateful, I ask to be forgiven. I pray that your spirit inspire me to noble and intelligent living, so that when my days on earth are ended, and I arrive at the Throne of Mercy, I shall be deemed worthy of you, and be reunited with you in God. Amen.
(Prayer from the ancient Jewish Yizkor)

Jesus, You wept over the death of Lazarus.
Show me my Lazarus, the one who brings the most tears to my eyes.
Show me my Bethany, the good times I miss.
Show me how you wept with Martha, Mary, and now with me.

Jesus, Your love filled Lazarus with new life.
Show me my Lazarus breathing deeply Your risen life.
Show me my Lazarus together with You, breathing Your life into me.
Show me how each breath fills the empty places within myself.

Jesus, You asked us to unbind Lazarus.
Show me how I can unbind my Lazarus with forgiveness and love as deep as Yours.
Show me how I am to let go and love others with this love.
And show me Your dream to have us grow closer in Your embrace now and forever.