Happy birthday Loren...
Loren and I with our cousin Zaldeleen in Manila, Philippines circa 1993
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September 26, 2011
Dear Loren,
Happy happy birthday dear sister, I still miss you with each passing day. As the years go by however, it gets a little bit easier and I find myself 10 years later writing this letter to you with a hint of a smile on my face. Life truly does go on.
You were certainly wise beyond your years and if you were here right now, you would definitely be offering me advice on where to proceed next with my life. This past year, Ive been doing a lot of soul searching and wandering, with my travels taking me on experiences that I would have never imagined in my wildest dreams. I like to think that you were with me every step of the way because as I look back, I am still in awe of how many opportunities came my way and how seamlessly everything came together.
Im sure you're always looking out for us. We've certainly grown a lot closer together as a family, especially in recent years, even though we're all separated by large geographical distances. Every moment we spend together as a family now, I find myself wishing you were right there with us.
Mom and Dad are in Cranbrook, Loubelle is in London and Lorel has finally started university in Calgary. Imagine that, so much time has gone by that our baby sister has started university already! Loubelle is about to graduate from nursing school too at the end of this academic year! And if somehow I can get my act together in the upcoming months and finish my thesis, I'll be walking away with an MA degree in hand next summer. Mom and Dad are doing great as well. I hope that you're proud of all of us, something tells me that you are.
I do miss you and still think about you each day. The heartache and pain that I used to feel each time your birthday came up year after year, has slowly been replaced with a feeling of love, peace and joy that all will be well.
Truly yours and lots of love,
Kuya
