"It is an uncanny feeling, that rare occasion when one catches a glimpse of oneself in repose. An unguarded moment, stripped of artifice, when one forgets to fool even oneself." -Kate Morton, The House at Riverton
Tada! Introducing the Fastest Dog Ever…Mischalina. Shot at Point Isabel. We found a “runway” for her to exert some of her pent up energy.
An Unsettling State of Affairs
Maybe I should be glad it was just the rug pulled out from under me and not the entire floor.
A Clean Slate
New Year…new picture…new blog template. Ahhh, nothing like clearing the slate and starting anew! Am I late in posting a New Year blog? I purposely took my time, not quite sure if it was to be a list of resolutions, a family newsletter or a simple yet cheery Happy New Year that would greet you on this blog.
Suffice it to say, it’s a combination of all three. I hesitated with developing my personal list of New Year resolutions. When I rough drafted it out, they all lead up to one goal —- to be a better Rhoda. Whether it’s being a better child of God, wife, daughter, sister, auntie, friend…many of the improvements are all rolled into each other. So maybe the key is better acknowledgment of the bounty I’ve been blessed with in life. 2010 is shaping up to be a big year for a lot of us in the Daclison Clan. Something is definitely in the air for big things to happen. Whether it’s family, job or health-related, who knows…One thing is for sure: I’m looking forward to a more exciting chapter in this book we call life.
Happy 2010 everyone! May it be all that you wished for and more…
It was a “catchy” year in music. This mix pretty much sums it up!
My Eulogy for Tito Ely…He will Greatly Be Missed
Death is always the hardest on the people left behind. When I started to put this speech together, I asked my sisters if they had anything to add. Of course, I received a flurry of emails because each one of them had a special memory they wanted to share. And as we sit here and mourn the death of Tito Ely but celebrate his life, what comforts us are these memories that even time can’t erase.
My earliest memory of Tito Ely was as the uncle who existed in everyday conversations with my cousins, my parents, my siblings, my aunt. He was halfway around the world, working hard to provide for the family who was already in the United States.
When Tito Ely retired and joined his family here from Brunei, his presence into our lives was seamless. The generous and smiling uncle was now a permanent fixture in our lives. And throughout the next thirty some odd years, Tito Ely always had a smile for my sisters and me, a kind word to bestow upon us, a hug of love and comfort. He was a welcome companion to my father, and a loving brother-in-law to my mother. When the grandkids came, the doting and patient Lolo Ely emerged, and it seemed like there was no end to his supply of love.
We’ve all grown up knowing that family makes up the wallpaper of life. No matter which room I travel to, Tito Ely was there. You were all there. These past few years, having to see Tito Ely gradually weaken is like watching a patch on life’s wall fade slowly away. In our hearts, we know he is in a better place free of pain, where his strength is fully restored. I imagine him smiling and can almost hear his laugh as he catches up with Dad on what’s been going on with the family. Knowing what I know now, seeing what I saw then, family has always been the cornerstone for Tito Ely.
And as the cliché goes, with every dark cloud is a silver lining, and today is no exception. Even in death, Tito Ely continues to give. His greatest gift as he parted ways was to bring his entire family together just in time for the holidays. As I look around the room, my heart is filled with hope that the love and legacy he left behind will continue to flourish.
We love you and will miss you very much Tito Ely.
This is the CUTEST thing I’ve seen in a long time! What did we ever do before CG??
