Dear Lola

May 01, 2009


Hi. I'm Joyce Ann, my dad is Bernardo the 7th child out of 11 children from my grandmother (lola). I'm the eldest of two and I am turning 22 this year.

The other night I couldn’t sleep I felt like I needed to write what I was feeling on paper. And so I did. I wrote a letter that I want to share with you all and that I’ve asked my dad to either read out or get one of my cousins to read on my behalf at the funeral.

Lola, I want to thank you for raising up such wonderful children and grandchildren. I especially want to thank you for my dad. Without you I wouldn’t have a dad. A dad that I observe as a good man, a good friend, a good husband to my mom, a good father to both my sister and I, a good brother to his siblings and I believe that he was also a good son to you and lolo when you were both alive. I know that a lot of what you’ve taught him and my other aunts and uncles will remain in them forever and will be passed onto us grandchildren. I’m encouraged by my dads love for you and the rest of the family shown by his generosity and eagerness to get everyone from your family here on this day.

I’m sorry that I didn’t get to visit you often. You were the only grandparent that I remember seeing when I was young. I really wish I could have spoken to you more and got to know you more when you were alive. I respect you and my other lola from my moms side for having such big families. I take pride in telling my friends that I come from a really big family. I want to thank you for the happiness, love, disciplines, wisdom and knowledge that you have passed onto your children because I know in many ways they have passed it onto your grandchildren as well.


I love you lola, you will be greatly missed by us all,


From your grand daughter in Australia,

Joyce Ann Balongoy