Last night I watched a re-run episode of one of my favorite programs on tv, Cold Case. This episode, entitled “A Good Death” was about this ruthless rich man named Jay, who had all the money,the power, but no cure for his malignant brain tumor. He was suffering in pain, he was dying. But he was a cruel man. His words caused deep pain to anyone who displeased him. Everyone around him seemed to hate him, and probably even wished for his death. His untimely death was caused by an overdose of morphine, and it was done deliberately. And that was the cold case mystery. The investigators had to find out who did it.

In this episode, I was so moved by his wife, Caroline. She seemed to despise him so much, and yet, she seemed to care for him too. It was like, no matter how callous and cruel he was, she was still around for him… especially at this time he obviously needed her most. Despite the fact that she was one of the prime suspects in the case, I couldn’t see Caroline as the criminal because she cared for him. She took all his humiliating words in stride, and remained by his side no matter how hurt she was. Because of his illness, Jay was having hallucinations of an event he could not recall in his life. No one could tell what he was seeing until he finally realized that it was actually a special day in their family life… a day he set aside his work just to spend time with his family on the beach.

The episode had a sad, but meaningful ending. It turned out that it was the wife who gave her husband the morphine, just to end his excruciating pain. He asked her to do it for him.. as he could not bear it anymore. And she couldn’t bear his pain either. Before it all happened, she showed him a picture of them as a family on that beach, on that very special day they had together as a family. He requested her to remember him the way he was when they were at the shore … and then told her that he loved her. It was so emotional that I almost cried on that particular scene…

Anyway, as I watched the previous scenes where the wife Caroline would bear the harsh words of her sick husband, I could recall how things were with some people that I cared for so much. For me, Caroline is such an admirable person. I don’t think I could do what she did. She forgave him, even if he did not apologize for all the pain he caused her… she was wonderful.

Last night, while hubby and I were exchanging thoughts about certain people and events in my life, he made me realize how much, much more fortunate I am now, and will ever be, than those who have hurt me in the past. Our talk was like an eye-opener to me, that maybe it’s time I opened my heart to start forgiving without waiting for an apology. It was a realization that maybe they just can’t say it, who knows. Maybe they know how much pain they’ve caused, and just maybe they are, deep inside themselves, embarrassed for what they’ve done. Well, who knows, right… We’re all human. We all make mistakes in life. And I guess it would be a nice thing to be able to forgive and to straighten up things while we’re still alive and have a good death at the end… isn’t that a wonderful thought?

 watch this episode at casttv.com

GOOD DAY

Paul Westerberg

Good day doesn’t have to be a Friday
Doesn’t need to be your birthday
The next one then you won’t survive
Sing along hold my life
A good day is any day that you’re alive
Yes a good day is any day that you’re alive

Asked me mmmm, you had to ask me
In the dreams you tell me
Tell them only you were tired
Sing along hold my life
A good day is any day that you’re alive
Yeah, a good day is any day that you’re alive

Hold my life one last time
A good day is any day that you’re alive
Yes a good day is any day that you’re alive
Yes a good day is any day that you’re alive
These are the days

Last night was the concert of Peter Cetera at the Araneta Coliseum.  A few threads back, I mentioned that  I was looking forward to this event on valentines day…

…and yes… we were there!  Hubby wouldn’t let me miss this concert!

You shouldn’t have either…It was simply awesome!  Peter Cetera serenaded the audience with his beautiful songs, together with the FILharmoniKA.  The FILharmoniKA, by the way, is the most in-demand orchestra in the country today. Composed of the country’s finest musicians, it is lead by music director Gerard Salonga, who, if I’m not mistaken, is the younger brother of the famous Filipina singer, (and my idol too!) Ms. Lea Salonga!   You can read more about the FILharmoniKA in their site http://filharmonika.multiply.com/  

The concert began with the FILharmoniKA’s beautiful rendition of the different songs of Peter Cetera, and I have to say that they were outstanding! I was also able to record a portion of their performance at the beginning of the concert… 

It was soooooo wonderful!  I just can’t describe it!  He sang several of his hit songs, "Glory of Love", "After all", "If you leave me now", "Next time I fall", etc.  We were  totally blown away!

The best part of the concert was when Peter Cetera sang the song You’re The Inspiration, where he asked the audience to sing along, and for everyone to light their cellphones as the chorus came along… sooo beautiful!  The whole coliseum was surrounded by little sparkling lights like stars in the skies!  It was such a moment of love for everyone!  The concert was such a success, I really wish Peter Cetera would come back again soon!

After the concert, we went out to have our late dinner at Burgoo’s.  Then we had coffee at Starbucks, where we hung out, relaxed and talked silly sweet nothings till 1am.  It was a wonderful evening for both of us… I just loved this day!

Before I finally end this post, I’d like to thank my new facebook friend Ms. Jacquelyn Vargas, who allowed me to post some pictures of the concert from her facebook profile.  You’ll find these pictures below the videos… thanks again, Ms. Jacquelyn!

 More Pictures of Peter Cetera & the FILharmoniKA!

THANK YOU, MS. JACQUELYN!