Tita Paz walked with the Lord last 22nd of August, It wasn't a sudden loss because we all knew one way or another this will happen. Last year, she was diagnosed with Malignant Breast Neoplasm a.k.a Inflammatory Breast Cancer stage 3, she underwent several chemotherapy sessions to kill the cancer cells and prolong Tita Paz's life.. Months passed, Tita has lived her life as normal as possible, the last time i saw her and bonded with her was on Rika's Debut at The Bellevue, she was happy and content and beautiful, not a slight stain of weakness in her eyes, she was strong.
Early February, her condition got worse, she was confined several times, went under several blood transfusions and again more chemos.. then the doctors confirmed that yes, her cancer cells has metastasized and has reached her bone and a part of her lungs causing her to bleed even more and yes.. more pain. but again, my tita is a fighter, every time we visit her, even if she's not feeling ok, she will still smile and prepare meryenda for us. She is one with God now and I know that she is happy.
I am trying hard not to cry when i first visited the wake, i was one of her closest niece after all, she was the closest to my dad, and the closest to everyone i guess, because she has my 'Nanay Tess's warmth and affectionate personality, i remember spending summer vacations with her family, her cooking and the way she would braid my hair when i was young, i can still vividly remember the Bagtas-Ignacio reunion we had, she even told me, "anak, wag muna magboyfriend ha, magboyfriend man, wag sayangin ang ganda, maging matalino'. she has the best kare kare in the whole wide universe.
We will miss you, I will miss you. I love you Tita, you will always be in my heart.
Let me just post this letter from my Tito Manny, my dad's brother, he's in Canada and will not make it to the burial because of all the complexities, he wrote a letter for Tita Paz instead.
Dear Ate Paz,
I wish I could see you one more time but, I know that is impossible I will hear your voice no more. I know you can feel my tears and you don’t want me to cry , My heart is broken because I can’t understand why someone so precious had to die. I pray that God will give me strength and somehow get me through as I struggle with this heartache that was caused by losing you..
O Lord hear my prayer,Keep my sister in your care i love her so much. I will miss you so much..
Love and Care,
Manny