In Memory of Lily

On August 17^th, Luciana Balolong Cendana, my grandmother, died. Grandma Lily had been sick, having a stroke first, while in the Philippines January 2010, and experiencing subsequent strokes after that. Her last stroke occurred in April, and left her unable to speak or move on her right side. She was in two different hospitals, had surgery to have a G-tube inserted, and had to be admitted to a nursing home, where she passed away. Her death has left me with an indescribably painful sense of loss. 

She had always been in my life, and we were close. She took care of me as a baby, even living with us when they first immigrated to Canada. She had a personality, that was more abrupt and keeping it real, than sweet ol' grandma. Even with her badass persona, she was loving, caring, selfless and generous. All she did, was for her grandchildren and children. Even when she died, I learned about her humble desire to take care of her children and her love. In 2010, she pre-arranged her funeral, and began payments on the services. She even purchased her cemetery property, and chose her vault and plaque. All this work meant, when she passed, her family could grieve and not be so stressed. She named me to take care of her affairs, so I had been busy, but it was the best way for me to grieve also. 

As I was putting items together for the slideshow, I found my grandparents wedding picture. Now I have the perfect picture to include the locket I got for my bouquet.

This weekend, I also made the cards that state in memory of my grandmother, a donation was made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. As well, on October 19th, my cousins and I will be running a 5K raising money for the same organization in her honour. She had a long life, but I wish she could be here for more of mine. It's selfish of me to want her to be around a little bit more, but that's love.