The below letter is a tribute I wrote and read for Ninong during his viewing on May 12th on behalf of my Kuya, Nicky, and myself ...
* * *
Dearest Ninong,
It is hard for me to believe you are gone. For the past few weeks I have been replaying the past 30 years with you in my mind.
I've been remembering
- our camping trips
- our vacations to California, the Philippines
- your trip to Europe with my parents and Ninang Luz and Ninong Cesar
- our traditional Sunday night dinners
... one of my favourite memories was when i was a little girl sleeping at your house. I had an awful tummy ache and i was sitting on Ninang Lu's lap crying. you offered me a glass of milk ... but it was a glass of spoiled milk … you said to me, "oh, we'll just add chocolate syrup" ... and Christine looked at you and said, "but dad, it'll still be spoiled". It's funny memories like these that still make me smile and laugh.
It’s memories such as your Hawaiian dance at my dad’s 50th birthday that still make me laugh … they are beautiful memories that I treasure …
... Ninong, I remember your laughter, your hugs, your jokes, and your tender kisses I do not know how to express in words how much you mean to myself, my kuya Randy, and Nicky. You are not only our Ninong, but also a father to us. You opened your heart to us, and loved us as your own children. I thank you Ninong for waiting for me before you went home to our Lord. Ninang said that you waited for all your children … and I thank you Ninong.
We love you so much, more than I can say.
To my parents, Ninong Cesar and Ninang Luz you are not only their best friend of 30 years, but their brother.
Our 3 families became 1 family ... we grew up together, laughed and cried together ... we shared a lifetime of love and joy as one family.
We thank you Ninong for sharing your life with us ... for providing us your strength, your guidance, your prayers, and most of all your unconditional love.
Ninong, I thank you also for sharing your faith with us. You taught us by example how to live and walk a Christian life. You inspired us with your faith these past 30 years, but especially these past few months when you lifted it all to our Lord Jesus Christ. I know Ninong that you are with God now. I know that our Lord has brought you home.
I will not say goodbye to you, Ninong, because in my heart you are not truly gone. I know that one day when the Lord calls us home, you will be there with your gentle smile and warm embrace … I know you will be there for me, just like you have always been there.
Ninong, from my Kuya, Nicky and I … We love you dad …
posted by JCandKim @12:23 AM
... thank you God for our family ...
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