An open letter to my family and friends…
First and foremost, let us give God the glory for He is the ultimate healer. He is our God and our Savior, without whom, nothing is possible.
What is it like to be truly thankful/grateful?
There are people who at one time or another will do you a big favor, once or twice. Some times in your life you’ll encounter someone who is willing to get out of their way to help and for that, you’re thankful. There are those times when out of the goodness of your heart, you take actions according to what your heart dictates. There are also times, when just because, it’s already rooted in you, and you know it’s the right thing to do; for that you're grateful.
Not one of these applies to you all, not one, because all of them do.
Because even if it runs in your blood or that we’re related, or that you’re a member of our extended family, you’ve gone far and beyond what it took to help, out of the goodness of your heart, and knowing it’s the right thing to do.
Putting your hearts and minds together, coupling with definitive and decisive actions got this crazy six months to where it is now, to where we can finally breathe, lay our worries aside, smile and say, the worst is over. There were no instructions how to deal with or guidelines to follow, no books or audios to read or listen to, no one to turn to but ourselves because those who have suffered in the same situation have gone beyond our reach, but you did exactly what you needed to do in every perfect way possible. There were no what ifs, should/could haves, and/or not enough. Everything that meant to happen, happened and it’s because of your overwhelming love, generosity and support.
There were lots of sacrifices made, patience tested, adjustments, reshuffling of schedules, and transporting to appointments, accommodating every nuances and needs of this disease but all were done with no hesitations, no questions asked, and nothing expected in repayment or return; except humbly reciprocate with love and gratitude.
It took setting aside your pride to ask and keep asking for help from everyone you know. You spoke to people who has family or relative or someone who has gone through this same ailment and asks for what is expected, what options or treatments are possible, and what can be done to help. You participated in the conversations with the doctors and nurses to make sure that all decisions made were the best ones despite of the odds.
You offered your home as a place of refuge. As in the past, you’ve silently adapted and became accustomed to our ways, your unspoken cares and concerns were always there, duly noted and appreciated. You readily gave up your room so I can deal with my pains and sufferings in peace with dignity.
Then the projects were born.
You crafted delicious jams, sweet concoctions, and put together the finest spices to sell. You created endless menus with nutritional values higher than you’ve done for yourself and others. You talked to a lot of people to let out your worries, your concerns because you didn’t want me to worry about anything else other than what I needed to go through.
People responded with kind words, warm hugs and words of advice. It took guts to go around the neighborhood to sell and have them close their doors to your face but that didn’t deter you because you kept going and asking the next doors over. It brought out a lot of qualities you had forgotten that you had in you. You made it fun with your succulent projects and had a goal which you thought you couldn’t achieve, but you did. It gave you confidence to reach out to people you don’t even know and rally for “a good cause” to where your friends have responded tremendously and have even came up with their own game plan to help raise funds.
You all researched and scoured the internet to find more financial help and organized fund raising projects to reach as many as you possibly can and each and every one of you supported them with such an overwhelming generosity.
You had endless days and nights of sewing, creating, and putting together beautiful creations that people truly appreciated. You reached out to long-time and new friends who responded with kindness and support because of what you’ve sowed and invested in your relationships with them.
Physical distance was not an obstacle; you may be hundreds of miles away but you were never that far. Technology made it easy to reach out, get in touch and made me feel you are nearby that we can talk anytime. You rallied up your partners in crime and your entourage for support and they responded in kind.
Time and distance were not a problem, either. Your offer to have me come home so you can take care of me is such a sweet gesture. You’ve always been there to take care of me no matter where you are, no matter what time.
Time and distance may have kept relations apart but your great love, care, and support went far beyond East of Graceland, South of Niagara Falls, and across the ocean, down under.
You once again picked up the project you abandoned a while ago to take care of your family while life took over doing something you love. Along with your daughters, you created crafts and sold them off- and on-line. With your significant other, individually, you supported me with your time, talents, creativity and financial means.
Along with new found friends living next door extending their kindness and understanding till I can get back on my feet and supported with constant visits from their furry kids.
You reached out and have offered your advice because you were on the same road a long time ago. Your phone calls, texts, and check-ins were very much appreciated.
Prayers are the best medicine. Your Mass offerings and unceasing prayers from the
Banal Na Pag-aaral Chairperson, brothers and sisters, friends, Fatima group and various prayers groups were heard and answered. Your constant checking-in on me, or bringing delicious foods, your generous help, and donation of your time, talents, and effort are greatly appreciated.
Things were taken care of, while in the midst of pandemic and living your own life, and taking care of your own challenges. Kind words, thoughts, and prayers from young minds written out in big bold posters served as inspiration and daily reminder that in this family, we don’t fight alone and we can give to God our weaknesses and hardships so that He can turn them into our strengths. They are not relevant only to me but to all. If you strengthen your faith, not only in the midst of pandemic and chronic disease, you’ll see that God is always with us and will always provide.
This chronic illness not only brought the fears and anxieties in all of us but it also brought out the best version of you and magnified the most wonderful things in all of you; pure love and a giving heart.
They say you can’t choose the family that you’ve got, blood related or not, but I’ll never trade mine, not for a moment.
The life-changing six months may be a blur to some but I remember all the kind deeds, the events, and most of the things that were done behind the scene. And I know there were a lot of things done and have happened that I didn’t have any clue about.
Don’t think that you didn’t do anything for me or you didn’t do enough. You were there for me. You were there with your prayers, kind words, virtual hugs, positive energy and many, many more; battling this disease alongside with me. Believe me, you were there to support me, just by being there.
You may have guessed who I am referring to on each of the occasions but all these things do not pertain to just one individual but to each and everyone in this whole family and friends who have come ever closer together, rallied with a cause, hoped and prayed without ceasing until we have reached the other side of the shore, beyond the “C”.
With eternal appreciation and grateful heart, thank you so much to each and every one of you because of who you are as a person, who you are to me, and specially who you are to God. For the Lord said, whatever you’ve done to your brother in my Name, you’ve done it to Me. My prayer to God is continue to bless each and every one of you with abundant blessings, graces, protection, and healing.
Offering and surrendering everything to Him and trusting in the Lord, He made all things possible and new. With God’s grace, there was no doubt we have overcome what we needed to. May I never go astray to live this life unworthy of the second lease in life lend to me by God.
I love you all.
In Christ, with love
Liza
Aka: Te/Teddy Bear/Ghe