A time to mourn.

This morning my aunt, Chita Braceros passed a way from complications of cancer. The last time I saw my aunt was last September at my brother's wedding. She looked frail and tired. A few weeks later she was diagnosed with bone cancer. It came as a surprise to my family to hear she was sick. It has been a complete surprise to witness how quickly things have progressed since she was first diagnosed.

I remember thinking how unfair it was for her to get sick. She was the backbone, the pillar of her family. I remember her working 2-3 jobs to make sure my cousins, her three children were provided for. I remember the importance she put on their education. She was such a hard worker and amazingly determined in all she did.

I didn't get to spend much time with Aunt Chita since she lived in Hawaii but every time I had the fortune of going to Hawaii I stayed with Aunt Chita and her family. I have very fond memories of her and her hospitality. These are a few things I remember:

* I remember her voice. I remember the tone of her voice when she would call out to me and my cousins. I remember the pitch, the volume the intonation in my aunts voice as she'd call out to my cousin, Natey.
* I remember the smells in her house after she would cook us Portuguese sausage, rice and eggs for breakfast.
* I remember she always had mangos and sweet bread available for us every time we visited.
* I remember her taking me around the island and her pointing out certain important landmarks to me.
* I remember her opening her home to my grandma and her taking care of her, as if she was her own mother.
* I remember her driving my cousin, Charity to ukulele lessons.
* I remember her faith in God. When things seemed uncertain or difficult she'd always share that our trust should be in God and that we must lean in Him for all strength and understanding.

She will be missed.

Today I take a moment to remember her, her life and what she meant to her family.

This is my prayer for my aunt today:

Psalm 116:5-9

The Lord is gracious and righteous;
our God is full of compassion.
The Lord protects the simplehearted;
when I was in great need, he saved me.

Be at rest once more, O my soul,
for the Lord has been good to you.

For you, O Lord, have delivered my soul from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before the Lord
in the land of the living.

How precious this life is! I am intimately connected to that knowledge-- even now as I watch my baby Fiona sleeping. To be so close to the beginning and simultaneously to the end is humbling and amazing. Rest, dear Auntie.

** Friends and family-- please feel free to use this space to share memories or thoughts you have about Auntie Chita. This is a memorial dedicated to her.