We love you Dad- FOREVER

Rodolfo Abrio- circa 1960s

The saying on how one will never really know how much you will miss someone until they are gone......happens to be so true. Last Saturday,  my dad returned to Heavenly Father.  It was his wish for him to be home to spend his last remaining days, and his wish came to pass 2 days after he returned home from the Hospital to receive Hospice care.  The last couple months was a roller coaster, but knowing he was home brought our family comfort...in addition to the strength from prayers and faith in Jesus Christ.

This is my father when he was in his early 20s.  What a dashing young man he was...don't you think? Behind such good looks, my father had evolved to wear many hats- Doting Husband, Father and Grandfather, to other roles such as Architect, golfer, gardener & handyman. He enjoyed singing (He sounds like Andy Williams...but my brother Alan always corrects this and said that Andy Williams sounds like Dad) He even enjoyed playing the Harmonica.  He was artistic, impeccable and witty.  He was well liked and looked upon as a mentor.  It was a blessing to see how much he has impacted the community and those who he came to know.  He has inspired many in his line of work, and I'm so proud of him.  I miss him deeply, and although I do have my moments of grief....I know he is no longer suffering...and He is our Angel now.  Although it may be just coincidence, I did feel he was helping me and our family as we were preparing for his funeral services.  I needed to put together a collage and went shopping for the materials last Tuesday the 19th.  On the overhead music- a certain song came on (unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers)....It triggered a moment of reminiscing my Dad & mom singing Karaoke, and how much they enjoyed singing that song.  I thought to myself...ahhh, if the next song that comes up reminds me of my Father at my wedding, then I will be impressed.  The next song that came over the intercom was Unforgettable, the duet with Natalie and her father, Nat King Cole....which happened to be the song I danced with my dad at our wedding.  After gathering the necessary items to make his memory collage, I went to check out.  I was the last one to be able to make the transaction...until they had a black out.  Yes...a black out.  It was stormy that day, but with only having 1 day to get stuff done to prepare for my dad's vigil & funeral...I needed every minute....if I wasn't able to make that transaction...it would have taken more than an hour out of the time necessary to prepare (That's approx how long the black out lasted).  So...YES...I feel my dad was shopping with me that day. :)



Dad's Internment Oct 21st 2010





My dad had a beautiful funeral service yesterday, October 21st.  So many loved ones and friends came to pay their respects.  It was amazing to see how many lives that were touched by my Father. I was priviledged to deliver his Eulogy on behalf of our family......and it gave me a chance to dote on my dad too.  During his internment, we were able to hear one of his favorite songs being sung....Moon River.  That was very touching for family. 

I want to share the last part of my Eulogy with you 2 blog readers out there.  I had spelled out the word FAMILY and explained the meaning behind each letter.  I want to share with you the meaning behind the letter "Y":

Y is for Yumao (pronounced Yumah-OH). This is a verb in Tagalog that means “to Depart or to pass on”. Last Saturday, Oct 16th at 9:25 p.m., my dad’s 68 year journey here on this earth had ended. Despite all his suffering in the last few months, his “ending” to his story here on earth was perfectly scripted. As we approached closer to his passing, when he came home from the hospital for Hospice care, One by one, extended family and close friends trickled in to show their love for my dad and for us. My dad definitely did not die alone. He died in his castle surrounded by love of.........”FAMILY”

FAMILY was definitely one of the most important things for my dad.


It didn’t matter if you were immediate or extended


It didn’t matter if you lived near....or Far


He loved each of his family members.


What a blessing it had been for him, to send him off to be with our Heavenly Father, encompassed and united with the love of FAMILY.

One thing that was touching about his passing, is that my brother Alan had held his Iphone to my dad's ear, playing the video of his granddaughter Emily saying " I love you Lolo".  At that moment, my dad opened his eyes one last time, and took his last breath.  He left his mortal journey....with feeling so much love.

Fathers Day, June 2010. Dad & Emily on the day of her Blessing



I'm so grateful for being blessed with an awesome Father.  I'm also grateful to spend time with him during his last days here on this earth...and to be at his side to hold his hand when he passed to his next journey. We know Dad is with god now...and we will meet with him again.  WE LOVE YOU DAD! FOREVER

A 2-way highway of unselfishness

In our human nature, you always try to hold onto hope in the most difficult of circumstances.  Facing the end of a mortal experience, is never easy. Unselfishly, we want our dad to get better.  We didn't want him to think we were giving up on him, if his body was showing signs of fighting. In turn, my dad was keeping up a fight for us, he endured painful procedures for his heart, battled through an infection, and through his eyes and smile showed courage.  Thus the 2-way highway of unselfishness.  Ultimately, we all know that it's in Heavenly Father's hands.  Currently, my dad's body hasn't been able to tolerate necessary treatment in order for him to get better.  Our hearts are heavy with this knowledge, but we know that my dad's wish is to be at home....not to be in the hospital. We don't want him to suffer.....so he is returning home today and will be receiving Hospice care.  I'm sure he knows how much he is loved, and he has felt those prayers for him. 
In my email box, I receive daily spiritual thoughts, and I was moved by what was shared with me this morning. "In the most difficult circumstances of life, there is often only one source of peace.  The Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, extends His grace with the invitation, 'Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest' (Matthew 11:28)." Donald L. Hallstrom, "Turn to the Lord," Ensign, May 2010, 78
To my 1-2 blog followers in blog land, thank you for your prayers during this time.  We all have felt your love and support, and we are very appreciative. 

Already Beating the Odds

I just had a visit with my dad in the hospital....and each visit I always have to remember what my dad has overcomed since being admitted to the hospital.  First off, he was admitted due to secondary infection recovering from his first hospitalization (when he got his new ipod/pacemaker installed). We do not really know where the infection is coming from....but all the swelling in his forearms have gone down, and he has normal coloring in his skin which is a relief to see.  Today, he has stabilized enough that he was moved out of the ICU...he is now in a regular room where he is no longer on monitors for his vitals.  The docs felt his blood pressure and oxygen saturation were stable enough where they can check on him intermittently...not constantly.   Plus... he is showing no significant signs of infection (recurring fevers)  However, he is on the next battle which can be tough physically and mentally. The next battle for him is to recover from his first hospital stint last August....as well as the past 3 weeks with his current hospitalization.  As a physical therapist, I know the effects of hospitalization can cause on the musculoskeletal system.  When one is bedridden, within the first 48 hours....muscles atrophy quickly.  The ratio to getting those muscles back takes a lot longer....so normally the average recovery for a person will take 3 days of recovery for 1 hospital stay.  HOWEVER...this is not the case for my father.  He has other vital organs that are not fully functioning...but with the help of other treatments...he can make a slow recovery.  Make it a 5 to 1 ratio for my dad to recover.  My dad's first hospital stay was approx 20 days.  This hospital stay is about 22 days and counting.  My dad is still very weak, but he is showing signs of that fighting spirit.  He was able to conjure up enough strength to say "Hi" for me when I visited him yesterday.  Today I reminded him...not just as his daughter...but as a therapist that his Muscles are like his Team of players....like the NBA Championship Lakers.  His left arm muscles are Kobe Bryant, his right arm muscles are Derek Fisher...his left leg is Pau Gasol...and his right leg is Andrew Bynum.  His brain and his will power is Coach Phil Jackson.  Like Coach Jackson...he encourages his players to master the FUNDAMENTALS.  My dad's fundamentals are to slowly strengthen his muscles (players) by simply isometrically contracting them in bed, moving his ankles up/down and his arms.  These are the basics that my dad has to start this journey.  If he conquers and masters these fundamentals...he will be on the road to a "championship body" Lol.  He did grin a little when I explained this analogy to him.
Overall....His labs still show that he has some fight in him, and I always felt that according to Heavenly father's will and if his physical body allows.....we will continue to fight alongside with him. He has other issues that do affect his recovery...but his spirit is strong.    We know it's not in our hands, it's not in the doctors or nurses hands...it's in God's hands. So far...we are taking it day by day.

Dad- I just want to say how grateful I am for you and your perserverance.  You are beating the odds everyday you are here. Although you are still weak to articulate, we feel your love in just your presence. We love you.  Keep fighting if your body allows...and never run faster than you have strength. Remember that you are loved....always no matter what.

Don't Be Afraid

It's been nice to have season passes to Knott's Berry Farm, and for the chance to take Emily to have fun on the Camp Snoopy Rides.  Here are some photos of Emily's excitement:

It wouldn't be fun for us parents and grandparents if we weren't able to go on rides either right?  (We are kids at heart too!)  Well, I just had to post a glimpse into our recent experience on the Mine Ride that we went on.  It was essentially the only ride all of us as a family can go on....it was easily accessible...and All of us could sit as a family in one train car!  I'm sure it brought a lot of memories for my dear in-laws/Emily's grandparents who haven't been to Knott's in ages. However, there was one person in our pack that seemed to not like the idea of being "In the Dark".  Any Idea who that may be? See Below for yourself:

 It couldn't Be Grandpa Ray or Grandma Wanda......

 No...it doesn't look like Mommy Either.............



HMMMM....Emily SEEMS to be OK.......................



 OH.....there is that Face of Confidence we like to see!!

 Grandma Relishing in the Memories of the Mine Ride....

The " UH...I dunno about this place" look......

The " It's Dark in Here....I'm not sure." look...

 I know I know...I'm smiling WAY too much. Mommy is having TOO MUCH fun.  I seriously think it was after Jason took this photo below...We were encouraging Emily to SMILE for the camera............

Ain't that Precious??  Tee Hee....



Well..Considering they had all these Hanging up as decor....it didn't help the matter. :)