It came as a shock. Marlon Robles, my former employer’s son had died at the age of 21. At first I didn’t want to believe it…or I didn’t want to know so I wouldn’t have to deal with it. Not to say that I was close to the boy. In fact the only memory I have of him was when I was assigned to be his voice coach during the production of his sister’s debut. Bottom line was–there was no avoiding it.
Saturday morning I was called by Tina, my former manager. "Conrad, have you heard?" she started. I had a feeling she was referring to Marlon. I was right. "Are you busy?"…and even though I had planned an activity for myself that day, I decided to go to the wake and fulfill my duty as former employee and friend. It wasn’t even a question for me. I just had to go.
I hastily gathered my song pieces and desperately looked for songs appropriate for a wake and necrological mass. It’s a frightening thought that a wedding singer is so skilled at his profession that he forgets about other occasions where his talents are needed. Let’s face it. Weddings are extremely different from funerals. I packed up my keyboard and other equipment, rode a taxi and proceeded to the funeral parlor.
As I entered the establishment, I saw old acquaintances from my days at Royale Homes. Luminaries from the Real Estate were also there. They greeted me and that’s when I realized that I really was a celebrity in my own right.
There’s something disturbing about funerals and death in particular. Death itself being a mystery and something that all of us will ultimately have to face but to attend someone’s wake who died in his prime–and much younger than yourself gets one thinking of each one’s purpose in life. There’s something especially sad about a young person dying. It’s a situation that leaves the parents wondering why things have to be so tragic. I was suddenly reminded of that line from the movie Lord of the Rings where the king Theorden says: "No parent should have to bury their child."
I have seen my employers in all aspects of life however, this was the only time I had seen them directly affected since it was a death in their own house. There simply is no consoling a grieving parent. Death is painful enough but the passing of your own flesh and blood is especially painful.
I couldn’t do anything but hug Ma’am Diding and kiss her forehead in the hopes that she felt how much I empathize with her and the family.
