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Home / Columnists / Veronica Leighton / `Love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation’ (by Kahlil Gibran)

`Love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation’ (by Kahlil Gibran)

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By: Veronica Leighton

 

Every word of the above moving quote about losing a loved one rings true and brings magic to my alone world nowadays. Though he’s now gone physically from my life, my Irog’s spirit and loving memories guide me emotionally every day through my waking hours. And, I say to myself, he is still here with me, and I do love him more.

The last beautiful issue of April 2021 was dedicated to the Celebration of Life of my departed husband, friend, partner and lover, who left us on March 19, 2021. And, in this exciting May issue, we are featuring the just-finished celebration of his 40th Day Memorial, a traditional religious ritual to assure that the dead is now on the right path for his peaceful travel to his new home. See pictorial pages 30-31 of the fun celebration by his family and friends.

Is it just a coincidence? As we received a letter from the Chicago Botanic Garden upon Joe Mauricio’s passing, “A book titled `What It’s Like to be a Bird; From Flying to Nesting, Eating to Singing—What Birds Are Doing and Why’ by David Sibley at the Chicago Botanic Garden Library’s Tribute Gift Program (courtesy of Maria Pappas and Peter Kamberos), saying, it’s waiting as a thoughtful way of remembering him. Many people say that the birds as well as the butterflies are the signs and symbolism of our departed beloved’s “visit” and/or presence around us.

Why the birds? The message about the birds is a mind-boggling for me right now as upon Joe’s death, we’ve discovered a bird egg and a white baby bird (actually a white dove) in one of his plants’ pots in the patio (pictured here). Nesting and laying eggs? Could it be my Joe’s spirit? What could be his message for me? I was asking myself quietly. It stayed there for many days and weeks, sometimes visited by mama and papa birds for nurturing, until he was ready to leave and fly away.

The belief that White Doves carry the souls of individuals to the afterlife has served as a big consolation to me, and has helped me a lot in my grieving period. Now I am asking myself, was that the reason that the little birdie disappeared from his home/pot after Joe’s 40th Day Memorial? Life and afterlife will always remain a mystery to us.

For the great memories, Joe has been humbly honored upon his passing, and we are conveying our thanks and appreciation to the following:

1. The Chicago Botanic Garden (as mentioned above)- the bird book at the Chicago Botanic Garden.

2. The Social Security Administration for Exemplary Public Service Award in recognition of outstanding partnership and collaboration in promoting the Social Security and Medicare programs to the Asian Pacific American communities — for Joe Mauricio & Veronica Leighton (thank you to Doug Nguyen and Phyllis M. Smith, Regional Commissioners)

3. From the Knights of Columbus: “The late Brother Joe is an Honorary Life Member of the Knights of Columbus, a distinction given to a member who has attained the age of 70 years and who has been a member of the Order for 25 consecutive years. On behalf of our Grand Knight, Dr. Henri H. Tikmehdash, I wish to convey our council’s deep sympathy for your loss.” (Edward Brotonel, Financial Sec., KOC Council 182).

4. A Resolution adopted by The City Council of the City of Chicago, Illinois presented by Alderman Pat Dowell, 3rdWard: WHEREAS, “JOSEPH (JOE) MAURICIO, a well-known media personality among the Chicagoland Filipino community, Joe was a Producer of and longtime Interview Host with CPRTV, a Filipino American television program covering lifestyle and culture in Greater Chicagoland. Joe was also an excellent creative write, and was the Co-Producer of the Via Times Newsmagazine, the partner publication of CPRTV; he wrote the monthly editorial for the magazine, and contributed a monthly column called “Objectively Harsh”. (Signed by Lori Lightfoot, Mayor of Chicago, and Andrea G. Valencia, City Clerk.

5. A Memorial Resolution from the Board of Commissioners, Cook County, Illinois: WHEREAS, “Joseph Mauricio was Co-Publisher of the Via Times, a monthly publication considered to be one of the largest ethnic publications of its kind in the United States, with many readers from the Filipino, Asian and Hispanic American communities, and NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of Cook County that the Board does hereby offer its deepest condolences and more heartfelt sympathy to the family and many friends of Joseph Mauricio, and joins them in sorrow at this time of loss.” (Signed: John P. Daley, Commissioner, 11thDistrict and Toni Preckwinkle, President, Cook County Board of Commissioners).

6. The Ateneans USA Group, Jesse Farrales, Manny Garcia, Jr., Riz Villasenor, and Fr. Carlos Llagas for rendering the song “Mama Mary,” Joe’s favorite song, at the wake/visitation.

7. The Filipino American Council of Greater Chicago, Executive Director Elaine Lehman and Board of Directors, for delivering a nice eulogy to their departed board member at the wake/visitation.

8. The Masonic King Oscar’s Lodge for doing the funeral apron ritual ceremony.

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Memorabilia Honoring Joe Mauricio

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