Tita Norina - An Aunt Worth Remembering...

Tita Norina, or Tita Baby as what we would often call her... joined our Heavenly Father last Oct. 17, 2005 (that's Manila time... I'm not too sure the time in the United States).

This picture was taken Jan. 20, 2004 - the 30th Wedding Anniversary of my parents. The one standing is My Tita Baby (wearing yellow San Francisco shirt). Sitting beside her is my Mom.

When I was browsing through my collection of pictures, I was surprised to see that my Tita Baby came here in the Philippines. I have fond memories of her and let me tell you what they are.

When I was young, maybe I was 7 or 8 years old then, she stayed in our home because she was pregnant with my cousin Edmond. When my cousin was born, me and my sister Lynette were very curious about our cousin because having a boy in our home is something new to us. There was a time that when my Tita Norina was giving Edmond a bath, my cousin started to pee and since the motion of the peeing is upward, I screamed and went to my mom asking if my cousin is an alien! As you can see, I'm used to just having women around me, my mom, my sister and my yaya. My father is often out of town and busy for work. Tita Baby is always in our home during those times.

Then, my Tita started living with her parents (my Lolo Quirino and Auntie) and I remembered that we had this picture of me sitting in her lap with a pentel pen in my hand that I used as a microphone since I love to sing. They would always make me sing and I would gladly submit to their request.

She soon went to the US and had stayed there for a long time. I knew that she got married and had a daughter - a special child.

My mom and dad went to the US last September 7, 2005 and returned here in the Philippines October 9, 2005. They stayed with most of our relatives, including her. When my mom arrived, she handed me a card with a $20 bill - from my Tita Norina. It was an advance Christmas gift. I was sooo touched because I never expected to receive a gift from her. I'm already 30 years old and it's quite odd receiving gifts still. I was about to email my Tito Raul and tell him to tell Tita Norina "Thank You" for her thoughtfulness and generosity. It's very sad to note that I will never get that chance because she passed away. Could it be premonition - that she knew she will be leaving us... hence, she made sure that she will leave us something? I don't know the answer. Maybe God does.

Tita Norina - An Aunt Worth Remembering... You are very special to us all... Wherever you are, I know you are happy. God will take care of you and I know that the people you left behind will be in good hands too. I Love You!!!