To Everyone, to my Family

I wanted to share with everyone a memory of "our mama" that will forever be with me.

Years ago during one of our "many" family get-togethers, with everyone eating, talking and having a good time, I noticed mama sitting down and very quietly looking around at everyone around her. The kids were running around, the Titas (aunts) were at the dining room table sharing stories and laughing, the Titos (uncles) were outside also sharing stories and laughing. I sat down next to her and asked her what was wrong and why was she so quiet?

She looked at me and said, "Michelle, there are so many people here, we have such a big family that we can't even fit in this house!" (But she said it in Tagalog, of course).

And I paused for a moment and looked around and I said to her "Well mama, don't you know that if it wasn't for you, none of us would be here?"

And she looked at me with so much happiness that I could feel it in my heart. And at first I didn't understand why what I said meant so much to her because I truly thought she knew that, but I guess just like all of us, once in awhile we need to hear it.

That was years before "our mama" got sick and I remember that moment like it was yesterday because I feel that now more than ever she needs to hear how much she means to all of us again.

So through this I ask for everyone to tell her, through prayer, "Mama, you are loved! That you are someone's faithful wife, loving sister, tita and cousin. That you are someone's beautifiul daughter, hard working mother, cherished grandmother, and proud great-grandmother. A friend and my hero. Without you, Ma I am nothing. And as I write this email, I have tears of joy because God brought you into my father's life and gave me the strength to go through what I've been through in my life and still be here today and hopefully one day my grandchild can say to me, 'Don't you know that if wasn't for you, none of us would be here too.'

~I love you Ma.

Your Granddaughter,~Michelle