Personal Note: My mother Eulalia Morin Briones died on March 20, 2015. I delivered this eulogy during her funeral several days later. Thank you all for coming and sharing with my family, in this our hour of grief. We are gathered here today to say our final goodbye to our mother. In doing so, we also pay homage to and remember the life she lived. I speak for my sisters when I say that she is simply, the calmest, gentlest, kindest, the most generous and loving person we know. Quietly, she came to this world the usual way 81 years ago, and quietly she lived her life amidst the people she loved and who loved her in return. Quietly….sadly, she left us a month ago. How we all were there by her bedside when she breathed her last breath, but knowing her, I’m certain that she departed quietly because she did not want the turmoil that would surely follow here leaving. The common thread that bound her life to ours, her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren was the gentle way she performed her role as our guiding light. She did her tasks with grace, courage, and dignity with not a thought of being rewarded greatly in return. Her passing did not leave us empty because in her lifetime, she filled us with joy and showed us that being kind and generous to each other was the best way for us to express our love for each other. So to your mom, we offer you these parting words: we love you, we will always love you and we will never forget you. As for myself, I will always remember that many times when you told me words similar to these: Come with me and don’t forget to tightly hold my hand…Over those hills we will walk to find your grain of sand…Rise above your doubts to fulfill your lifelong dreams…Now that you know that life is not what it seems…Every time you feel alone and find your path foggy and dim…Latch on to me and I will carry you to the farthest rim…I will always be there for you through thick and thin..And in the end I will be by your side to cheer your win. So mom, for all the things that you have done for me, thanks you. And thank you for being the best mother I could have ever asked for. And now that you have rightfully earned your heavenly wings, I am sure that you will take to your new role as our guardian angel, gently…kindly…lovingly…quietly..

You Son Jesse Briones Jr.