For my Tía.
Tía, I loved you, still love you, will always love you. I miss you and miss you and miss you, mi tía querida.
As a child I feared cancer. I’m not sure why. I was very young and I didn’t know anyone with cancer, but I was terrified by it. I would wish for a cure. I would worry about it. I would think about it before going to bed.
Many, many years later I got a call from my mom and I remember exactly where I was (in my kitchen), my mother’s voice did not sound good, but she is prone to what we call escandalosa. She has made many mountains out of molehills. When she said she had bad news, I wasn’t too worried. Then she told me my Tía had cancer…and time just stopped. I had to sit, I couldn’t speak, I couldn’t breathe. How do I explain what my Tía means to me?
My Tía is laughter and love, celebration and joy, warm homemade tortillas, my childhood, a source of comfort and security. My Tía, this Tía was just special to me and I knew I was special to her, she made me feel like I was wonder and magic.
My Tía did not survive her battle with cancer. I lost her way too soon, before she could ever see me act in a play, or meet the man I married, or hold my children in her arms.
I jokingly call myself the Useless Psychic because I’m psychic about things that don’t really benefit me. Somehow I think I feared cancer as a child because I knew that one day it would cause me much pain and it has.
My childhood wish for a cure has not become a reality, but I have not given up hope because there has been much progress made thanks to organizations like the American Cancer Society that is fighting for more birthdays and less cancer.
I am all for more birthdays and less cancer.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by the American Cancer Society. All statements and opinions are mine.
Cancer sucks. Like you I lost a beloved Tia, Della, and 2 tio’s to cancer. Fortunately, I am a cancer survivor-6 years now.
If it wasn’t for the research that ACS, Dr. Susan Love, and fundraising by millions of men, women, children in runs, walks and relays I may not have been so fortunate.
Next birthday coming up!
So happy to hear your particular story. Here’s to many more birthdays!
I am so sorry that your Tia was stricken with that horrible disease and that she could not see you with your husband and children. i know you still miss her.
Oh yes, I miss her very much. Especially around this time because my birthday is coming up. She was always the first one to call me every birthday even before my mother. She still comes to me in dreams very often.
How fortunate you are to have had a loving and caring woman in your young life. You are so blessed. And I would think the dreams are comforting. Hugs to you.
Your post brought tears to my eyes. I lost my Tía to lung cancer nine years ago and I still miss her terribly. Thanks for sharing such a loving tribute and also for raising awareness about the work of the American Cancer Society.
Thank you Pamela. I shed quite a few tears writing it.
This was a sweet and powerful post.
Cancer is the devil it really has caused many so much pain whether living with it or not the families continue to suffer even after the loss. I am all for more birthdays and less cancer too big hugs amiga!
So sad losing a loved one to cancer…. I’ve lost many friends and family due to it. My Mum has won the battle with it though! She is now 10 years in remission.
{{{HUGS}}}
Wonderful news about your mother.
((HUGS))
I lost one of my best friends from college to cancer. She was only 23 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer and died four months shy of her 30th birthday. I miss her still and truly understand your loss.
To less cancer and more birthdays…
My Dad is a cancer survivor and this post touches my heart.. I want to wish all moms here Happy Mother’s Day. Watch the food we take, especially when eating out.. We want to be healthy for our kids and theirs. hugs..
– Mamatim –
Hugs, Claudya. It hurts to think so much of the taxpayer’s money goes on so many useless things. Yet no cure for the big C. Some of my family members have suffered and……gone. I know how it feels, particularly when the person has not lived enough.
Bless you for this post!
I’m right there with you. I’m scared to death of cancer, always have been. It’s one of those things that cannot be avoided, no matter how many blueberries you eat. Just look at Steve Jobs! anyhow, thank you for the touching message and video. Happy to know that at least I’m not alone in being fearful of this horrible disease.
Thanks for this – we’ve had so much cancer in our family – my mom, my aunt, my SIL and two of my friends – and while much of it is now treatable or curable it is still totally devastating. Bless you for spreading the word about ACS and “More Birthdays”.
it sucks. on all counts. I know some ppl now living and fighting for their lives b/c of it. it’s so vile and evil 🙁 There has to be a cure. I’m sorry for your Tia. I can’t even imagine. But, I’m sure she was strong and resilient through her illness! What a great portrait of her! Fond memories for you.