Susan left this memory on 28.09.08:

Around same time last year, I was there with you. I will never forget those days and memories we shared together. I had very high hopes that day when I said good bye to you that we still have a lot of time together. How I wished I stayed longer and was able to spend my birthday with you. I then called you on my birthday so you will greet me and you had a very good laugh about it! I wished I can call you and talk to you and hear your laughter once again especially on my birthdays..

I missed you so much, Inang.

Tetez left this memory on 26.08.08:

I lived half of my 43 years without Inang beside me. Inang and Tatang migrated to Canada in 1987 that is why, I cannot relate to the wonderful stories of my friends who had their mothers by their sides in the 2 most precious moments in a woman’s life, i.e. getting married and giving birth. And, Chloe did not also have the pleasure being taken cared of by a Lolo & Lola, as most Filipino children did.

“Inang, I envied my brothers and sisters, whom you were with and whose children you helped raised for those 20 years. You often told us that you spent your most enjoyable times when you were either in Canada, or San Diego, or Los Angeles. Your pictures show those picnics, parties or pot-lucks you went to with them. Your pictures show how healthy and fit you were still then, that you loved going to these fun activities. During those times, we would only talk to each other on the phone, oftentimes to greet each other happy birthday, merry Christmas or Happy New year! Yes of course, you would come home to the Philippines every now and then. You mostly arrived in November in time for cooler climate, but then you would always leave in January, before my birthday.

When I started to travel to Canada to visit you & Tatang, and later Claudette joining me in those regular visits, you didn’t have anymore the zest to go to the places you used to go to and do things you used to love to do. Oh yes, we did go to the Peace Arch, Porto Cove and to this Monastery. Later on, you chose to stay home and never wanted to go out, even to eat in your favorite restaurants. But of course, I knew you have gotten older and having health problems.

So I would ask myself then, how come it was your “bunso” who was called to take care of you, when it should be my brothers and sisters who enjoyed your prime years with you, whose children you took care of, and whom you prepared your super delicious “pancit palabok” for, during their birthdays. How come it was me, who had to leave Claudette for months to accompany you in your flights, when you can no longer move on your own? How come it was me, who had to stay with you, had to take a leave from work, every time you were in the hospital? How come it was, me who had to prepare your milk even if you had caregivers at your beck and call? How come… when half of my 43 years, we were not together?

How come, Inang? Is it because, you knew you were going to leave us soon? When you told me in the hospital that if not only for me, you would end your life, I knew then Inang, that the pain is unbearable. And I asked myself, how much time do we still have together? Is 1 month enough? What about, 2 months?

And when the inevitable and dreadful thing came, I was saddened, because I was not again beside you! I envied Ateng, the caregiver, the doctor, the nurses, who were there when you took your last breath.

Yes, I lived half of my 43 years without you beside me. But, Inang, it took us only 10 minutes to make-up for all those lost years! And those 10 minutes I had with while you surrendered your body to everlasting peace, was more than enough! And no one among my brothers and sisters had that moment with you – a moment you gave only to me, your bunso. Although we couldn’t talk to each other anymore, I felt your presence in the room and saw in your beautiful face the blissful state you are finally in. That was indeed a precious moment of my life!

Inang, I know that even if you are no longer here with us, you will still continue to look after us. And as I will live the next 20 years or more of my life, I know this time, that you will always be beside me and will never leave me again!”

Rico left this memory on 15.07.08:

July 16, 2008 - Sixty two years ago, you made a commitment before God and Tatang to love and behold. I was fortunate to share 48 of those wonderful years. Although, this is the first year that we will celebrating your wedding anniversary without you, we know that you will be with us in spirit.

Happy 62nd anniversary....

Rico left this memory on 01.07.08:

you sheltered me from harm
kept me warm, kept me warm
you never said too much
but still you showed the way
and I knew, from watching you

the finest years i ever knew
were all the years I had with you