Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

"The one who grasps the thousand contradictions of his life integrates them into a single whole, that man, joyous and grateful, drives the hooligans out of the mansion, celebrates in a different way, and you are the guest he welcomes in the still of the evening. You are the second person in his quiet space, the still center of his conversations with himself; and every circle he draws around you raises him out of time on the legs of a compass. " Rainer Maria Rilke

Each Sunday, I would wave at Dra. Charito Sison, elegantly dressed in her cashmere orange sweater and beige tailored pants with her signature sunglasses. She carefully picks from the bounty of vegetables and fruits at the Farmers’ Market.

She resembles Parisian women I ‘ve seen, dressed in their colorful sheath, a single strand of necklace, carefully selecting oranges and strawberries.

I walked towards her and she waved back. That was my cue -- to keep my distance.

A year later, I was given a firsthand look at her spouse, Ramon’s paintings while I listened to Ramon’s original compositions being played impeccably on their grand piano. She was still dressed in her signature bright orange sweater and beige tailored pants.

In sickness and in health, their love endured

Recently, Charito narrated her ordeal to us -- a group comprised of a professor/historian, a violinist/photographer, a writer and publishers, --during the last few years of Ramon’s life. She and Ramon went on a cruise August of 2008. He even climbed up three flights of stairs to explore the viewing deck.

A few days later, he was rushed to the hospital, unable to breathe. Ramon was diagnosed with advanced stage of lung cancer and 2 ½ liters of bloody fluid were drained from his lungs.

He opted for chemotherapy, with no surgery or radiation. Charito described the process as " a simple technique, it is easy to do, but to drain the fluid every two days was most difficult." She cleaned out the cathether daily to prevent bacterial infection. She found it difficult seeing her spouse go through so much, especially since they’ve been emotionally connected for five decades as a married couple.

Dom Magwili understood this bond, being Ramon’s lyricist for his original musical compositions.

" After a long time together, I believesuchlove songs carry some element of the spouse in the creation. It is hard for me to strain out [my wife] Sachiko’s presence in my work. She is always there. I …suppose that was true for Dr. Sison [and his wife.] That song is his [Ramon’s] presence [in her life.]"

His song, his presence, his love

As we spoke, Charito began playing one of Ramon’s compositions on the grand piano -- A Rose for a Rainy Day.

While she impeccably played, I looked at some of her family’s photos. In one, Ramon was tightly hugging Charito while their young, bewildered grandson looked at them as their now grown-up children smiled at the camera.

There were more photos of them as a couple and the way Ramon wrapped his arms around Charito was clearly indicative of his palpable love for his wife.

I believe that being profoundly loved by another human being is a special gift. And it is even more endearing, when this love endures for five decades to create a clan of sons, a daughter and grandchildren. It is also inspiring to know that all their children engaged in the practice of medicine, along with their spouses.