A Small Table of Thoughts

I remember we were sitting around the dining table trying to recall just how big our family grew since we have been in the United States.  I was still in junior high at the time and I recall having to create a family tree.  We tried to remember a few names and who's related to who, which one got married, separated, had kids, etc.  But Mama just sat there quietly, staring up at us with a smile. 

I looked over to her and asked what she was thinking and she just glanced back at me and asked, "What do you need to know?"

I giggled and said, "Ma, obviously we are trying to place our family together!"

And she said again and even more quietly this time, "What do you need to know?" 

I tilted my head to the side and asked, "Ma, you can't possibly know it all!  There's too many of us!"

She sat straight up, smiled even bigger this time and said with utmost confidence, "I know."

The room stood still and we all looked over to her.  I had a blue pen in hand and a long yellow pad of paper in front of me.  Then she spoke carefully and began to list the names of people I didn't know before she got to the names of the people I knew.  She spoke of people who passed on, remarried (even if this was considered unholy in her eyes), had kids, and even those kids' kids.  She spoke of families that are connected to ours, but are not technically connected by blood.  Detail by every detail including where they live (or lived), how they lived and who they lived with and how much of that tied into our upbringing and created our history.  She knew everything even every single one of their birthdays.  My birthday.  All of our birthdays.

Mama remembered without jotting it down.  She didn't need a calendar.  She didn't need a minute.  She just said it all until she reached the last of us.  She knew it all because she held her memories tightly until they were taken away. 

Until this day I still don't understand why it was taken away from such an amazing woman.  I don't see how any of this makes sense and this is why I stand.  I walk.  And I fight.

We are calling on all of you to help make this year just as successful as the last 4 years. This battle won't end unless we continue our fight. It's once a year that our family and friends (as many of us that are able to do so) gathers together to show our support against a disease that took away the life of our beloved Mama. Her memories.

Please know that we wouldn't ask for your help if we truly didn't believe it would make a difference. We would carry on this torch on our own if we knew it would be enough. But we can't do it all without every one of you. Our Mama believed in coming together to make things happen for the good. Our mama was good...is good...and will always be good.

Mama was proud of what she left behind and of all the accomplishments she carried with her up until she couldn't carry it anymore.  This was a story of just how proud she was and how I almost doubted her for it and how by such a small conversation around a small table my mind was quickly changed.   I will never again question the power of a strong memory. 

Please check out our website http://act.alz.org/goto/teammama and fight with us to remember.

Thank you.

With all my gratitude,

Myrnelle

MABUHAY MEMORY WALK 2012!

Hello Pamilya & Kaibigan (Family & Friends),

It's that time again! In just a few weeks, it will be our 5th Annual Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk in memory of our beloved Mama!  For those of you who were not able to join us in the past, it’s a non-competitive 5k walk (about 3 miles) that raises money for Alzheimer’s research, education and support to those currently with the disease and their families. More importantly, it’s the annual exercise for all of us!  We all know how much Mama emphasized how much she can walk and made sure our backs were straight all the time.  Also, it's yet another opportunity for us to spend quality time together and be able to share our experience with our friends.

 

EVENT INFO:

When: Sunday, November 4th, 2012
Where: Century Park, Century City
Time: 7:00 Registration, 8:30 AM Opening Ceremonies

HOW TO SIGN UP TO WALK:

1. Click here: http://act.alz.org/goto/teammama

2. Click "Join Our Team”, Click “I Agree”

3. Enter all required information. There's no need to donate upfront or a fundraising minimum. You are not required to meet your fundraising goal. However, Alzheimer's Association will give you a free T-shirt if you raise at least $100 on the day of the event.

HOW TO DONATE:

1. Click on: http://act.alz.org/goto/teammama

2. Click on the team member’s name.

3. Donate!

HOW TO SPREAD THE WORD:

1. Click on "edit my page"

2. Click on "URL settings" and type in your first and last name.

3. Edit what you have to say (optional)

4. Click on "View My Personal Page" and email the link.

T-SHIRTS:

1. I hope you still have last year's t-shirts! Remember, don't put them in the dryer and no ironing!

2. If you would like another t-shirt, please let Bea (Maribelle Dizon) know ASAP by emailing her at bella839@hotmail.com.  

 

For additional questions, you can also reach Nelly (Myrnelle Dizon) at myrnelledizon@yahoo.com.

Please forward this info to ANYONE willing to help! If you have questions about how to sign up please let us know.

Thank you for all your support!

 

Your Team Captains,

Bea & Joan (Nina Aves)

Legacy

Dearest Mama,

It's been a long while and there is no excuse for our absence. Please know that your memory will never disappear even when these posts are few and far between. Know that it's because your family is out creating new ones and living life the way you hoped we would: Filled with love, joy and spirit. Know that we are making the family bigger and one day as strong as we were with you.


I wanted to stop by to give you these beautiful flowers because they reminded me of you. They're colorful and not at all ordinary. Their natural beauty is appreciated and admired so much so that the attention they receive goes without saying. It made me take time to notice and this is again, what I'm doing now.





I'm in your space day in and day out, feeling your presence surround me. Please know you will never be forgotten. We will continue to notice and with this small blog, we will make an attempt to cover your enormous legacy because just like these flowers, it's vibrant, unique, and deserves recognition.

Missing You,

Myrnelle

Thank You Team Connie!

Thank you for supporting Team Mama at the 2011 Memory Walk! Tita Connie did an awesome job recruiting new and very energetic members to our team. This dedication reflects the strong characteristics of our beloved Mama: Leadership, Determination, Willpower, Devotion, and the importance of Togetherness. Let us hope that more will follow and continue to follow in Mama's footsteps.


Thank you again!

The Dizon Family

Thanks for Supporting Memory Walk!

Team Mama would like to thank all of you who generously donated to Memory Walk 2011. We have raised over $1200.00 on the fight against Alzheimer's and it is because of you that we made this possible:

Froy & Maria Dizon
Connie Aves
Fred Estrosos
Maribelle "Bea" Dizon
Raeceen Ueki
Myrnelle Dizon
Aurora Dominguez
Krys Strong
Anthony Dizon & Family
Miya Villanueva
Alex & Norma Querido
Erlyn Dizon
Walter Cruz
Trixie Gurrea

Team Froy raised over $250.00:
Michelle Crawford
Faran Taher
Juan Hernandez
Anna Lorelei Ibe
Meon Espina
Mariano Llerenas
Dorothy Mejia
Van Truong
Katie Ho
Esmindo Martinez
Ella Daigan
Yenny Mac
Ariel Molave
Mae Pelino
Amphone Yang
Asher Patak
Lance Amantia
Arlu Dela Pena
Daisy Goto
Dee Dee Waterson
Cristi Carrillo
Joseph Adair
Irma Vasquez
Gino Buenaventura
Andy Ramirez
Andrew Aladjadjian
Fairooz Kader
Ehsan Ahmed
Hilda Antanis
Gevorg Grajian
Perla Long
Robert Rocha

Team Lisa Oaks raised over $550.00:
Candice Camp
Christina Harri
Shirly Bubany
Bernard Sharf
Jeanelle Smith
Jo Ann Frederiksen
Dan Tam Lung
William Awty
Todd Wilson
Cristina de Leon
Timothy Tandon
Karen Halaby
Roger LaPrairie

And to those who donated anonymously, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts!


http://golfforcathy.webs.com/individualdonations.htm
http://relay.acsevents.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=408938.0&dlv_id=0

A BIG THANKS to TEAM MAMA 2011!

Awesome Job Walkers!
Captain Nina Joan Aves
Captain Maribelle "Bea" Dizon
Froy & Maria Dizon
Thelma Mangahas
Myrnelle Dizon
Joe Wigginton
Aurora Dominguez
Lisa Oaks (in memory of her great-grandmother Bella Fisher)
Neil Aves
Jose Baldivia
Jeneelyn Santiago
Joel Cordova










Thank you Tita Connie for your Team Recruitment!
Connie Aves
Erlyn Dizon
Cesar Cruz
Fred Estrosos
Trixie Gurrea
Ernie Morales
Menchie Oreta
Joy Roque
Fermin Rosario
Bert & Rose Yambot

Honorary Walkers:
Princess Rose Amontos
Fred Santiago
Cherry Santiago



http://becolorful.typepad.com/becolorful/2010/07/life-doesnt-stop-when-the-kids-move-on.html

SIGN UP for Memory Walk!

Hello Pamilya & Kaibigan (Family & Friends),

It's that time again! In just a few weeks, it will be our 4th Annual Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk in memory of our beloved Mama!

For those of you who were not able to join us in the past, it’s a non-competitive 5k walk (about 3 miles) that raises money for Alzheimer’s research, education and support to those currently with the disease and their families. More importantly, it’s the annual exercise for all of us, we all know how much Mama emphasized how much she can walk and made sure our backs were straight all the time. Also, its yet another opportunity for us to spend quality time together and be able to share our experience with our friends.

**EVENT INFO:

When: Sunday, October 9, 2011
Where: Century Park, Century City
Time: 7:00 Registration, 8:30 AM Opening Ceremonies

**HOW TO DONATE:

1. Click on:
http://2011walktoendalzheimersla.kintera.org/teammama
2. Click on the team member’s name.
3. Donate!

**HOW TO SIGN UP TO WALK:

1. Click here:
http://2011walktoendalzheimersla.kintera.org/teammama
2. Click "Join Our Team”, Click “I Agree”
3. Enter all required information. There's no need to donate upfront or a fundraising minimum. You are not required to meet your fundraising goal. However, Alzheimer's Association will give you a free T-shirt if you raise at least $100 on the day of the event.
4. Set up your personal link so you can send this link to others: http://2011walktoendalzheimersla.kintera.org/_____
NOTE: If you have registered in the past, click on: “click here to autofill this form” to use your login from last year.
5. Once you're up, you'll have your personal webpage to track your donations (if you'd like) or to spread the word to your friends and family.
6. Get your walking shoes ready!

**HOW TO SPREAD THE WORD:

1. Send your family/friends this link: http://2011walktoendalzheimersla.kintera.org/teammama or your personal link.
2. Invite them to donate to the cause and/or join our team and spend the day with us =) There's no need to "sign up" to walk to donate.
3. Call, email, text, Facebook, or tweet!

Thank you for all your support!

Love,

Your Team Captains,
Maribelle & Nina (aka Bea & Joan)