It's been over a week since she was shot dead over a cell phone weeks before graduating with a nursing degree. I remember that day when I arrived early for the day's work and the night duty rad tech was explaining how things were when she was brought to the E.R. while the rest of the staff and I were looking at her chest x-ray film on the view box. Incidentally, an hour or so later, I was attending one of the radiology consultant's readings and her chest x-ray came up again. We fell into the discussion of the events, which somehow lead to concern over the safety of this lone female resident as the secretary mentioned the dim lit road I pass through on the way home every night. The official reading was delayed to clarify some matter. Since I happened to have my missal with me that day, I said the responsory prayers for the dead for her.

Past forward to today, when i overheard the receptionist mention that an official result was needed for documentation to file cases against the accused. I found myself later that afternoon being handed by the secretary her chest x-ray film for a preliminary reading to be approved by the radiology consultant. I showed it to two of the medical interns/senior clerks rotating in our department which lead to another discussion of the circumstances of her death.

Death can come at any time, in any manner. Cases like this remind me of that fact. One has to be ready at any moment to face the end of life here on earth.