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Dear Ron,

My deepest sympathy. I have a book that deals with emotional loss which maybe helpful. It is also available online: http://www.survivingloss.com/

You may want to refer to it when you are ready, or just share it with others by placing it at the website.

Your cousin, Del

Jose' and I have been following all the updates on Tita Carmen's website from the very start. I've just read the latest news about Tita Carmen's condition and I am so very saddened. I never thought for once it would come to this point. I was always hopeful. And knowing Tita Carmen, seeing her just a few months ago in Lisbon, she's full of life, she'd never give up! We've been praying so hard for her. And now this...

I can't offer much comfort for what is ahead but always be assured that our hearts and minds are with you all in this most difficult time. Forgive me for only writing now. It's so very hard to find the words sometimes especially when it comes to the people we love. Please do one thing for me. Please kiss Tita Carmen for me and tell her we love her and have not stopped praying for her. Tell her I still remember her trip here and regret SOOO much we didn't take any photos. (Remember, Uncle Jim?) We'll be keeping close watch on the webpage, hoping only for the best.
Love,
Jolene and Jose'

To Carmen Wagner, Ron Santos and Family,

"There is so little we can do to help you bear your sorrow. There is so little we can say to help you through tomorrow. But may these few words comfort you and let you know somehow. Our heartfelt thoughts and sympathy are there with you right now."
We all send our best wishes during this difficult time.

Your friends,

The Awad Family and Staff at Mooney's Bay Computer Inc. Ottawa, Ontario - Canada

Prayer to Accept God's Will

Lord Jesus, in Your agony, You uttered the prayer, "Not my will, but Yours be done." Help me to resign myself to the Father's will with such humility and love. Grant that I may perceive the things that I can change in my life; give me the help to accept those things I cannot change. I know that You will permit only thatwhich will lead to my salvation and that of others. Help me to accept with a joyful and humble heart the good things You send. Help me to accept, too, thecross which I must bear in union with You. I ask this, Lord, in Your name, Amen.

Prayers from: Edna, Mercy, Yolly and Rey Tua�o

Dear Ron,

The last days were not easy for you and your family. You spent with your mother
her last days, giving her the most that every mother wants: children's love
and respect. Your mother devoted to you the best years of her life, and you in
return payed her back by just becoming a loving son, who values the efforts
that she made to raise you to be who you are now. You did the most that you
could and made a right final choice.

Ioulia Doumkina

from Pat (Duane Mosure's brother-in-law) and Margaret Mooney in Ohio:

As you face this most difficult day: May the strength of God pilot us, may the wisdom of God instruct us,
may the hand of God protect us, may the Salvation, O Lord, be always ours, this day and forevermore.
Amen
St. Patrick

Jose' and I extend to you our most sincere and deepest condolences. When I read the sad news I was so overcome with grief that I just burst into tears in front of the computer. I wish there was something I could do to comfort you. I thought of flowers, I thought of mass cards, of actually going there but with the service tomorrow, I can only offer this email and hope to lend you even a little comfort, if possible.

As soon as I found out, I truly felt a cruel blow hit me, especially knowing how difficult the decision must have been. In a flash, thoughts and images flashed through my mind, of tears and grief and loss. I saw you all bravely standing beside Tita Carmen with your hearts bleeding and weeping. One never expects such a good, strong and healthy woman like Tita Carmen to be taken so soon.

We will all never be the same again after this. Loss changes people. This reminds me of a poem of John Donne in which he reminded us that we are all a part of a great human continent so that when one person dies, we are all diminished. Then, in his famous words, he said that when we hear funeral bells ring, we should not ask for whom they toll. They toll for us. Until they ring for someone we love, whose loss leaves a vacant place against the sky, like a fallen tree in the family garden, it is only then that we feel diminished. Then we realize for whom it is the bells toll. They toll for us. And so it is with Tita Carmen. For all who knew and loved her, as we all did, we are all diminished. Nothing will ever replace this gaping hole in all of us. But she is not gone, she will always be with us.

Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond's glint on snow,
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush,
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night,
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there. I did not die.

I read your last report yesterday evening but was at a loss for something to say. I must say your correspondence had a poetic quality which was touching. It filled me with profound sorrow to read of the last emotional minutes of you mothers life. I am glad you were able to be there with her as she passed on, but I doubt there is little comfort in this at the moment. David called as I was sitting at the computer absorbing your message, and he too had difficulty holding back his tears. It brought to his own mind the loss of his mother the story of whose final momements he relayed to me. This is to say that many of us have similar experiences, on which we reflect at times like this. Again there is little comfort in this but it is not a road you travel alone, many of have been down this road and are here for you in your time of need. Keep us informed as to the details.

Your friend Doug

Dear Jim, Ron, Candy, Rommel and family,

We are very sorry to hear that Carmen has passed away.
We will continue to pray for her eternal repose.
Condolence from our family.
Take care.
Tito Wachi Ramos, Bonnie & Marissa Banzon, Ralphy & Elsie Ramos, Raymund Ramos