Diary ng Seminaristang Pinoy sa UK...

July 21-25 Encounters with angels

July 21st, 2001

I woke up with another dream of my mother. I was again in my youth when our store was still around. We used to sell clothes. In my dream, I was in the store; my mother was completely well and was displaying some of the clothes. She was very busy and we did not talk much as we were both working. I saw myself going home. When I came back, there were a lot of people in the store, people outside were looking at me with some words in their faces. I realized right away that something was wrong with my mother, that she had another stroke. I was in a hurry, rushing to the store. It was in this situation that I was awakened. I was breathing faster.

When I woke up, I went to the shower. Then I fixed everything, my room, washed my clothes, clean a bit my room. I asked Venant if he would go to Rochdale so that I can have a ride. When everything was ready, I asked Jose if he wants to go with us. Andrew decided that he would go to Manchester or Chorley to buy something.

In short, we went to Rochdale. We were dropped at the bus station while Venant and Sr. Georgina proceeded to the wedding celebration. We went to visit my friends in Rochdale. We do not know the place. We kept asking people how to reach the place. My friends are Michael and Bernadette Kelsall. They live in Lower Longacres Cottage, Whitworth, Rochdale OLI2 8XH.

It was very helpful that I had the mobile with me. It was easy to call them and get the direction. By the way, we arrived in their place so peacefully and safely. ON the way, we had to pass an old road, which at this time is under repair. They are situated at the hill, with only one neighbor. Right away, the view caught my attention. It is an old house and half of it was burnt seven years ago.

Outside was magnificent, overlooking Rochdale. You can see the vast farm of sheep and cattle. Really beautiful, so peaceful and very relaxing! Bernadette greeted us very warmly, like we have not seen for a long time. The couple became our friends when we went to Leeds. They came for the open day of the Comboni Missionaries. They were just invited and they never heard of the Combonis.

Anyway, we had a great talk, starting to recall our short encounter in Leeds, then our families and vocations. I am very happy with Jose because he communicates now, despite the English barriers. The old couples are very warm and welcoming. While they were preparing the food, there were two of their grandchildren entertaining us- Abigail and Toby. They are lovely children. Abigail is a good swimmer, beautiful girl and very talented. Toby is a good singer. He is playing a supporting role in the musicale "Oliver", which is to be shown in Rochdale.

Then the family of Toby arrived. I met his parents and his brothers Thomas and Messy. Thomas is a bit defective as he met and accident when he was eight. It was a car accident that destroyed his brain. Michael told us that Thomas was eight then, but he became like a two-year-old child, starting from the scratch. He is still recovering now. He is already almost fourteen.

Bernadette shared us the experience of the fire. Six years ago their house was burnt. It was an electrical short circuit in the neighbor's house. It happened at early dawned. With them were three of their grandchildren. While she was sharing, I was trying to picture the anguish. She was like Job in her questions.

"Raul, I cannot really forget the day, it was very horrible. My grandchildren were with us, we ran out to the garden while the house was on fire. I was stoned, unable to cry, unable to shout, unable to move and to say anything. I was just embracing the children. When I came to my senses, we ran to the garage to move the cars, or else they will explode. We were all on our dressing clothes, barefoot. We met all our neighbors crying, thinking that we were all burnt inside. It is so painful to see all your investments to turn into ashes. I was asking the Lord always why me. I did not do anything bad. I was like a child, asking why? Why? Why? I was in pain for a time. Then I attended healing masses, have talked with priests, and then my sorrows were turned into deep understanding, thankful that none of us were burnt. Then by and by, I was able to accept everything openly. At first, the sisters in their convent adopted us all. Then, weeks after, we started building up again the house, and cleaning, piece-by-piece. My children had their own houses later.