You Raise Me Up on violin

I didn't know that it was your dream to play Josh Groban's "You Raise Me Up" on violin. Mama only mentioned it to me today because Ading Linus has apparently chosen to play it at their school's concert this month. I was actually surprised that Ading has chosen a song that he really hasn't played on the violin before. In fact he hasn't played the violin for almost a year. But he appears to be confident because when Mama asked him if he was sure he could play the song, he said yes without hesitation. For some reason Ading Linus has gained a lot of confidence since you left us. Sometimes Mama and I get really scared because he seems to be getting into things that you started before. We are not even forcing him to do anything, but he now has the initiative to do a lot of things. We just don't want him to think that he is obliged to follow on your footsteps. I mean it would be good, but we want him to do the things that he really likes. I don't know, perhaps Ading has his own reasons for doing all that he is doing now- for you. I admire your Ading for being so sweet and thoughtful of you. I know that he really loves you. 

You will be pleased to know that Ading will be using your violin to play You Raise Me Up. He actually told Mama that it would be as if you will be the one playing on the violin because it's yours. Don't you think that's sweet? I'm sure Ading Linus will make you so proud. 

For the meantime, let me share this video with you. I'm sure you will like it.

How I wish you got to play that song on the violin. But don't worry, I'm sure you will be playing it with Ading soon. Ah, I miss you so much and I love you.

Mommy Tintin

Aga has grown fast!

I was looking at Ading Cxyrelle's birthday photos again because I thought your best-friend Aga wasn't there, but in fact I just didn't recognize him because he is taller than when I last saw him and he has gained weight. He looks kind of like you now. I was actually surprised when I saw the photos that I had to look at their photos on All Saint's Day again. Mama is hoping that he could borrow Aga from Ate Nitz for a while. It's obvious that she is missing you. I think it's good so that your Adings can have another big brother even for a while. What do you think about that? I'm sure you won't mind.

Anyway, I looked for photos of you and Aga together, but the only ones I found were taken two years ago. I'm sure Mama has other photos in the house.

During your first communion

Your Foundation Day

Your  violin recital at Casa San Miguel

Your first plane ride together

Your visit to Naga

Still in Naga for the MTG Competition

At Megan's resort

On your last birthday on earth

Your foundation day at school

And now, here's Aga:

Taken on all saint's day

On Ading Cxyrelle's 7th birthday (Aga in the one in the far left)

I keep thinking that if you only didn't leave us, I'm sure you and Aga will still be together until you probably finished college. I know you wanted to go to the same school until then. It's just a shame you will not be able to spend high school life together. But anak, I know you will watch over Aga because he was like a brother to you. 

I so miss you, but looking at your photos it feels like you really never left us. Your pictures are so full of life. I love looking at them and I love you.

Mommy Tintin

Do you remember that month of September?

After writing that letter last night, I remembered Tito Gil's vacation in September 2011. I know he has gone home at least twice since he came to England, but I don't remember him having family get together  or any photo- op before he came back. But last year it was different. Perhaps because he had a new girlfriend then, I'm not quite sure. It looks like things were really planned before you left because you saw everyone that were close to heart heart. Daddy and I went home April last year and we had most of his family members come to our house for a quick get together just before we left. Then Tito Gil's vacation. I'm sure God planned all this so that you saw him before you left us because God knows how much you two enjoyed your times together when you were a toddler- from having a joyride to courting girls! Maybe God won't allow you to go home to Him without spending time with some of the people you really care about, apart of course from our family.

So, here are some of the photos from your last September with us:

Look at you and Ading Linus. Ading has grown really fast since you left. He is really tall now and really acting like the Big Brother. You must be so proud of your little brother. Don't worry because looking at him now, I know that he will always look up to his Kuya Keith.

The photo above just proves how you were so fond of your Ading Kika. Ah, if only you were still here....

I know this is your last photo with Tito Gil. See, I told you God planned all this. I don't think you and your Adings ever had a photo with Tito. Clearly your last memory with your Tito Gil.

I will never ever get tired of telling you how much I love you and miss you, as I would when I used to speak to you over the phone. It's just that things had to change.

Mommy Tintin

Here comes the busy months

I was browsing through Mama's photos on facebook and it looks like the months of November and December were the busiest months for you in 2011. I know you were very busy all year round because of your violin and art lessons and the MTG months before that, but in the last two months of your stay on earth it seems like you did quite a lot with our family .

By this time, you probably would have been busy practising for your foundation day. And then it would soon be your christmas party. Time really flies.

Looking at your photos, you seemed to be very happy apart from of course your usual "i-don't-want to show-my-dimples" moments where you just frowned. I know you hated cameras. But we loved taking photos of you because you have such a lovely face anak ko. And I so miss pinching those chubby cheeks so much.

I am trying to figure out if there are any signs from those photos that would tell me about your plan to leave. Well, it was not exactly your plan but I just want to know if you knew you were leaving, and sometimes the series of events may actually say something. I know they were just ordinary events but who knows, I may find a hint. I guess I am just missing you so much at the moment that's why I am like this again- searching for clues and answers.

It's getting closer and closer to the day when you left us. I don't know how it's going to be like for me because I'm sure I will be on my own that day because Daddy will be working. It's even hard to just think about it. 

Hayyy, I miss your beautiful face. I love you so much.

Mommy Tintin

Ading Cxyrelle's Birthday Party

Mama has finally posted the photos from Ading's birthday party. I didn't realize that it was that big. I knew there were seven gifts, balloons, pillows, prayers etc but I was not expecting that there would be a lot of people. I don't know but everytime there is a party at the house, a lot of people always turn up, invited or not invited. Not that we mind, but people know we're not rich, and yet people love coming to our house. I am not sure if this is something that we should be proud of or not. Perhaps it is because we can always say that people love us not for what the material things that we have. I remember when you left, a lot of people came to volunteer. We didn't even have to ask for their help. They just turned up and did whatever they could to help the family. Our family is very lucky indeed to be surrounded by those people who are always willing to help us despite not having that much to give.

Anyway, looks like everyone had fun on Ading's birthday. Tita Babang did Ading's hair and make up.

Can you see how much she's having fun having her hair done? You know her very well right? Ading Kika is maarte as you would have always told her.

Tito Roman was in cahrge of the decoration as I have told you and Tita Gina was the emcee. Tita Joy was also there to give them a helping hand.

Inang told me that she couldn't but cry when Ading Linus and Ading Cxyrelle made their way to the "stage". You probably know why. She remembered that originally, you were Ading's escort because Ading Linus was shy and didn't want to do it. Seeing them together obviously reminded her of you. And yes, people mentioned your name. They would definitely have been happier if you were there. But I'm sure Ading Linus have done you proud because he is not shy anymore. He actually told Papa that he is now "bravo" unlike before he was kind of scared of people. 

Inang, Tatang, Auntie Maria, Daddy and Mama Es all gave their birthday wishes to Ading. You probably will be glad to know that Ading and Tatang actually danced. How I wish he was like that to you and your Adings from the beginning. But never mind, it's never too late. Well, too late for you but I am sure you will be happy just the same.

Ading Linus was so handsome in his pink shirt. Who would have thought that he could pull it off that well? You probably wouldn't have been keen on wearing pink, but I'm sure you would have looked good on it too.

I'm so sad that they were not able to spend Ading's birthday with you Kuya. And it's just a shame that you will not be able to see Ading Cxyrelle grow up. But as I have always said, I'm definitely sure that you will always be there for them.

We love and miss you so much and times like this will always be incomplete because you're not here.

Mommy Tintin

A Sunday poem for you...

I will always love and miss you so much.

Mommy Tintin

Ading's birthday party was a success!

I have seen some of the photos form Ading's 7th birthday party today but they were not from Mama. I was embarrassed to just take it from Auntie Miles so I will post the photos as soon as I receive them from Mama.

I'm sure you were there with your Angel friends and saw everything. Ading Cxyrelle was so beautiful and Ading Linus was so handsome. Sayang you were not there physically. It would have been three beautiful children from our humble family.

It appears to me that your Adings had fun. Ading Cxyrelle was very hands on in planning the whole party so I'm sure she got what she wanted. Her party was a Hello Kitty theme and although she didn't have the Hello Kitty gown that she wanted, at least she wore what she designed. Eversince Ading has been designing her own gowns. Not that she draws I don't think, but she tells whoever makes her gowns exactly how she wants them to be. So I'm sure she was happy with the her gowns.

I can't wait to hear from Mama so she can tell me everything that happened during the party. We still have not managed to talk because they were very busy and they had visitors until late. I will try and speak to them tomorrow and will let you know okay? I'm sure you and your angel friends also enjoyed the fun but perhaps you couldn't stay long because I know you're very busy in heaven, singing praises to the Lord and doing angelic tasks. 

I know that you were missed today at the party, not only by our family but by everyone who were there. You probably don't know but you have left an important mark in those people's lives and you will always be remembered by them. I'm sure when I speak to Mama, she will definitely tell me that at least one or two people have mentioned your name during the party.

Hay, it is so sad that you didn't get to dance with Ading on her 7th birthday. But I know that you watched over her and Ading Linus the whole time. 

I miss you so much baby. Mommy loves you.

Mommy Tintin