Thank you mom for praying for us all without ceasing. And thank you for teaching me how to pray and have faith and trust in God no matter what. You were an amazing and beautiful and phenomenal mother. You taught me so much but most of all thank you for teaching me how to love unconditionally and how to forgive. You were the greatest prayer warrior. I love and miss you deeply and tremendously with all my heart and soul. A family that prays together stays together. "Together Forever." I dedicate "THE PRAYER"to my mom and dad and to all of my FAMILY. I pray for love, peace, comfort, strength and unity always.

THE PRAYER BY JESSICA SANCHEZ

Mahal kita buon puso at buon mundo!  Rest in peace mama!  7/20/12

This is my desire to honor you
Lord with all my heart
I worship you
all I have within me
I give you praise
all that I adore
is in you

Lord I give you my heart
I give you my soul
I live for you alone
every breath that I take
every moment i'm awake
Lord have your way in me.

Dear my beautiful mother,

Lately I have been full of so many different emotions. I am blessed because your prayers were answered about God blessing me with a good man.I am excited that we will be getting married but yet my heart has been so heavy in missing you and dad deeply and tremendously. I wish you were both here to share my joys and also help me get through some pains that come with life. I know if you were here you would tell me that everything is going to be alright and to let go and let God. The other day I heard this song "I will be here" that reminds me of you so much and a rush of sadness in missing you came over me. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for loving me unconditionally and for always being here for me no matter what. I love you deeply and tremendously with all my heart.

Tomorrow mornin' if you wake upAnd the sun does not appear...I will be here.

If in the dark we lose sight of love Hold my hand and have no fear' CauseI...I will be here

I will be here...When you feel like bein' quiet.

When you need to speak your mind I will listen And I will be here.

When the laughter turns to cryin'Through the winnin' and losin' and tryin'We'll be together'Cause I will be here.

Tomorrow mornin'. if you wake up And the future is unclear...I'll be here

Just as sure as seasons are made for change Our lifetimes are made for years....I will be here

I will be here....You can cry on my shoulder When the mirror tells us we're older.

I will hold you And I will be here To watch you grow in beauty And tell you all the things you are to me

I will be here.

I will be trueTo the promise I have made To you and to the One who gave you to me...I will be here

And just as sure as seasons are made for chang e Our lifetimes are made for years'Cause ...I will be here....We'll be together 'Cause I will be here.

As we all know mom had a lot of words of wisdom and encouragement. Here is another one of my favorite sayings she used to tell me when I would become discouraged. "Think positive," which comes to mind a couple of my favorite scriptures:

Thank you from the bottom of my heart my beautiful mom for teaching and showing me how to always be positive in life regardless of negative circumstances.

I miss and love you deeply and tremendously!!!

Philippians 4:8
[ Meditate on These Things ] Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
 

IN MEMORY OF MOM "MARGARET CASTRO". 

TODAY 1 MONTH AGO ON JULY 20TH. 2011. MOM / GRM.DEPARTED FROM US. AND CAME IN UNION WITH GOD. LET'S TAKE A MOMENT AND REFLECT AND LIGHT MOM'S PRAYER CANDLE, AND MAKE A SPECIAL REQUEST IN PRAYER, AND CALL UPON HER NAME. AS MOM IS OUR TRUE GUARDIAN ANGEL AND SAINT. THROUGH MOM'S LIFE ON EARTH, ALL HER SACRAFICES, AND DEVOTIONS.. MOM HAS GAINED GREAT MERRITS IN HEAVEN. THEREFORE, GOD WILL CONTINUOUSLY.. "GRANT HER PETITIONS IN PRAYER. THE HOPE OF BEING REUNITED WITH "MOM & DAD", AND ALL OUR LOVED ONES, GIVES ME A SENSE OF PEACE AND SERENTIY. I PRAY FOR MOM'S TREMENDOUS, PEACE, LOVE, AND ETERNAL GLORY".. REFLECT UPON US ALL. "I GIVE THANKS, PRAISE, AND HONOR TO MOM.. FOR ALL HER SACRAFICIAL AND UNCONDITIONAL LOVE FOR US ALL. "REST IN PEACE MOM".. AND MAY ALL THE SOULS DEPARTED REST IN PEACE. I LOVE YOU MOM WITH ALL MY HEART AND SOUL. YOUR LOVING DAUGHTER..VIRGINIA

SERENITY PRAYER:

GOD, GRANT ME THE SERENITY TO ACCEPT THE THINGS I CANNOT CHANGE, COURAGE TO CHANGE THE THINGS I CAN AND WISDOM TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE~~~~

LIVING ONE DAY AT A TIME; ENJOYING ONE MOMENT AT A TIME;

MAY MY TEARS ALWAYS TURN INTO JOY AND MY PRAYERS ALWAYS INCLUDE OTHERS.

MAY MY OBEDIENCE BE THE MEASURE OF MY TRUST.

MAY THE PEACE OF CHRIST GUIDE MY HEART ALWAYS~~~AMEN~~~~

 I CAN REMEMBER WHEN I FIRST MET MARGIE, AFTER COMING AROUND VISITING VIRGINIA. I KNEW EVENTUALLY I WAS GOING TO MEET HER MOM. FINALLY WHEN I DID, SHE HAD THIS COOL FAMILIAR LOOK WITH A NICE UPDO HAIR STYLE. THAT I WAS USED TO SEEING AT MY HOUSE IN WEST COVINA. MY MOM HELD ROSARY MEETING WITH FATHER ALOUISIS. AND SOMETIMES I WOULD WONDER IF MARGIE WAS EVER A PART OF MY FAMILY PRAYER GROUP, WHEN I WAS A LITTLE BOY. SO MANY PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER CAME TO MY HOUSE.

IN 1979 WHEN I FIRST MET MARGIE, SHE WAS SO BEAUTIFUL AND SO SAINTLY. SHE WAS ALWAYS DRESSED UP. SHE ALWAYS LOOKED LIKE SHE CAME FROM A ROSARY MEETING.

AT 17 YEARS OLD I LIVED WITH MY MOTHER-IN-LAW, AND FATHER-IN-LAW FOR TWO YEARS IN 1982. AT THERE WEST COVINA HOME, 1851  WALNUT CREEK PKWY. IN THERE GARAGE CONVERTED ROOM FOR TWO YEARS. AND IT HUMBLED ME TO LEARN TO LIVE THE CASTRO FAMILY'S LOVE FOR CHRIST.

WHEN WE MOVED OUT, MARGIE HELD MY HANDS, AND TOLD ME TO TAKE CARE OF VIRGINIA. AND I GAVE HER A REAL BIG HUG AND REASSURED HER, THAT I WOULD ALWAYS LOVE AND RESPECT HER DAUGHTER.

I FELL IN LOVE WITH VIRGINA BECAUSE I FOUND OUT LATER SHE CARRIED HER MOM'S TRAITS. THE HAPPY SWEET VOICE, THE TENDER LOVE, AND THE SOFTNESS OF HER PERSONALITY.

 I GREW UP IN A VERY STRICT AND RELIGIOUS FAMILY WITH 6 BROTHERS AND 1 SISTER. AT THE TIME IT WAS KAOS. BUT MY PARENTS MANAGED TO KEEP US IN LINE WITH A STERN ROMAN CATHALIC FIST.

BUT LIVING WITH THE CASTRO'S AND LIVING WITH THE SOFTNESS OF MARGIE'S DETERMINED VOICE AND TELLING ME TO ALWAYS BE PATIENCE AND HAVE FAITH AND PRAY ALWAYS.

MARGIE ALWAYS WELCOMED ME AS A TRUE SON OF HERS AND GAVE ME ALL THE LOVE AND RESPECT AND MORE. SHE TAUGHT ME PATIENCE AND FAITH BY WATCHING HER GOING TO CHURCH AND ORGANIZING FUNCTIONS. THAT SHE ALWAYS TALKED ABOUT WITH ME.

I WAS SO THANKFUL TO BE ACCEPTED SO QUICK AND SO YOUNG. AND CAN ONLY REALIZE NOW AS AN OLDER MAN.

EVERYTHING THAT I KNOW ABOUT MARGIE IS SO GRACEFUL, GENTLE, AND MOST LOVING OF ALL THINGS THAT EXSIST.

I'M SO PROUD TO SAY I KNOW MARGIE CASTRO LIKE NO OTHER IN MY OWN PERSONAL WAY.

I REALIZED HOW DEEP IN PRAYER MARGIE WAS. AT THE TIME, VIRGINIA AND I WAS YOUNG TEENAGERS. WE HAD OUR SON DANIEL IN 1982. HE WAS BORN WITH DOWN SYNDROME. I CAN REMEMBER NOT UNDERSTANDING AND WAS UPSET AND SAD. BUT MARGIE BROUGHT LIGHT TO OUR SITUATION. BY TELLING ME THAT MY SON WILL ALWAYS BE PURE AND SINLESS. AND THAT SOMEDAY, HE WILL BE PRAYING FOR US IN HEAVEN.

MARGIE TOUCHED MY HEART AND HUMBLED ME THROUGH HER DAUGHTER VIRGINIA. I'VE BEEN GIVEN A GIFT OF THAT WINDOW THAT I CAN SEE. I CAN SEE NO END.

NEVER IN MY LIFE WILL I BE CLOSE TO A MOTHERLY LOVE, OF THE MOTHER OF MY WIFE. SHE CARRIES ALL THE TRAITS THAT WILL ALWAYS BE THE TRUE MARGIE CASTRO IN MY LIFE.

I APPRECIATED WHATEVER TIME I HAD WITH HER. WE WOULD ALWAYS REFLECT ABOUT SAINTLY STORIES. AND THERE WAS NEVER A DULL MOMENT. SHE WOULD HOLD MY HANDS SO TIGHT AND SHOW HER APPRECIATION OF SPENDING THE TIME, BUT NOW KNOWING, I WAS THE ONE WHO APRRECIATED THE MOST.

THERE WERE TIMES, WE WOULD TALK ABOUT JESUS. AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS THE DEPTS OF MY FEELINGS. ABOUT WHAT I'VE LEARNED THROUGH SPIRTUAL READINGS. AS I TRYED TO BETTER MY LIFE. AND SHARING THAT WITH MARGIE WAS A BLESSING.

THERE'S THIS ONE STORY ABOUT THE VIRGIN MARY AND HER SON JESUS, AND HOW THEY CONNECTED SPIRTUALLY WITHOUT SPEECH. BUT WITH THE EYES AND SOUL. MARGIE AND I WOULD JUMP FROM ONE SUBJECT TO ANOTHER AND BOTH LIT UP TALKING ABOUT CHRIST.

I READ TO BELIEVE THAT OUR MOTHER MARY AND HER SON JESUS NEEDED NO PHYSICAL WAY TO COMMUNICATE, BUT THROUGH MENTALTHALEPATHY. WHICH MEANS THROUGH HEART AND SOUL.

NOW I REALIZE I HAVE A VERSION OF YOU MARGIE, YOUR DAUGHTER MY WIFE, FOR ME TO CHERISH AND PRAY WITH. WE BOTH WILL SEE YOU SOON. CAN'T WAIT TO SHARE THE REST OF OUR LIVES, SHARING STORIES WITH YOU. AND LAUGH ABOUT GOOD TIMES.

I AM WHO I AM BECAUSE I'VE BEEN NURTURED AND SCULPTED WITH VIRGINIA AS ONE. BEING SO YOUNG AND UNAWARE OF THE DEPTS OF LOVE. WERE ALL BLIND TO THE DEPTS OF LOVE. UNTIL WE START TO SURRENDER OURSELVES. WHETHER IT BE A STRANGER, A FREIND OR FAMILIA.

EVERYBODY EXSIST AND PUT IN FRONT OF US, JUST AS CHIRST WALKED ON THE EARTH AND PUT IN FRONT OF HIM. TO MAINTAINE PEACE AND LOVE.

MARGIE, SURPASSES ALL THESE SIMPLE CHARITIES OF LIFE. SHE WENT BEYOND EVERYBODY'S MEANS. AND SOULY DEDICATED HER LIFE TO CHRIST.

I KNOW THAT PERSONALLY BECAUSE I WAS THERE EVERYDAY OF MY LIFE AS A TEENAGER FROM THE TIME I WAS 15 YEARS OLD.

MARGIE I WILL ALWAYS PRAY TO YOU BECAUSE I'M TRUELY CONNECTED TO YOU THROUGH VIRGINIA. I YEARN TO BE IN YOUR PRESENCE ONCE AGAIN. I'VE ABSORBED ABSOLUTE LOVE THROUGH YOUR GRACE IN MY LIFE, AND BLESSINGS. I WILL CONTINUE TO BE NURTURED THROUGH YOUR GRACE AND PRAYERS. AND KEEP ASKING FOR MORE BLESSINGS.

I'M HONORED TO BE PART OF MARGIE'S LIFE AND HER SPIRITUAL LOVE. SHE WOULD ALWAYS ASK ME TO PRAY FOR THE FAMILY, BECAUSE SHE KNEW MY FAITH WAS STRONG.

THERE WAS A TIME, WHEN I TOOK MARGIE TO HOME DEPOT. IT WAS RECENTL AFTER MY FATHER-IN-LAW HAD PAST AWAY IN APRIL 2006. SHE ASKED ME TO TAKE HER TO BUY FLOWERS FOR HER NEW HOUSE IN RANCHO ON CRAIG ST. IT WAS ABOUT 12 FLORAL HANGING BASKETS WITH DIFFERENT COLORS FOR THERE EASTER CELEBRATION.

I'LL NEVER FORGET THE TIME WE ALL WENT TO BOLSA BEECH ON FOURTH OF JULY THE YEAR 1990. AND MARGIE HAD WENT ALONG WITH BOTH OUR FAMILIE'S AS WE CARAVANED. WE ALL HAD A LONG DAY AND HAVING A GOOD TIME WITH LOTS OF FOOD AND DRINKS. ON THE WAY HOME I WAS PULLED OVER BY A CHP. I REMBEMBER BEING SO WORRIED AND SCARED I WAS GOING TO BE TAKING IN, FROM BEING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. AFTER DOING A SOBRIETY TEST AND PASSING. I WAS SHOCKED THE CHP HAD LET ME GO.  AS I LOOKED BESIDES ME, THERE WAS VIRGINIA IN HER CAR WITH HER MOM, AND I NOTICED MARGIE HOLDING HER ROSARY AND PRAYING FOR ME. THAT WAS MY MIRACLE THAT DAY. SHE SAID, MIJO I PRAYED FOR YOU. AND THANKED HER FOR PRAYING FOR ME.

GOING WITH MARGIE AT HOME DEPOT WAS ONE MEMORY I WILL ALWAYS CHERISH THAT QUALITY AND PERSONAL TIME THAT I HAD WITH MARGIE. BECAUSE IT WAS JUST THE TWO OF US. I FELT LIKE A TRUE SON. OUR CONVERSATIONS WAS ALL ABOUT THE LOVE THAT SHE HAD FOR THE FAMILY. AND TOLD ME HOW PROUD SHE WAS OF TAKING CARE OF MY FAMILY. IT TOUCHED MY HEART DEEPLY, AND EVEN MORE SO KNOWING I'VE KNOWN HER 32 YEARS OF MY LIFE. I FELT SHE WAS A TRUE SAINT.

I THANK YOU MARGIE FOR ALL YOU'VE GIVEN ME THROUGH YOUR LOVE. YOU'VE HUMBLED ME AS A PERSON. FROM A TEENAGER TO AN ADULT. THROUGH YOUR DAUGHTER THAT SHE CARRIES. IT ALL RESEMBLES YOUR LIFE.

MARGIE I CAN ONLY IMAGINE YOUR TRUE JOY. IF I CAN COMPREHEND THE LOVE OF HEAVEN AS A HUMAN BEING MY HEART WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO CONTAIN THE JOY WHAT YOU POSESS. MY HEART WILL EXPLODE.

I'M ALSO THANKFUL AND PROUD OF MY DAUGHTER VANESSA. MARGIE EXPRESSED TO ME, THAT VIRGINIA AND I  PLANTED A SEED WITH VANESSA. AND WITH MARGIE'S GRACIOUS LOVE, NURTORED THAT SEED WITH LOVE, GRACE, AND WISDOM.

VANESSA WAS BLESS WITH A SEED THAT HER GRAMA MARGIE NURTORED SPIRITUALLY AND ETERNALLY WITH ALL HER GRACE THAT WAS GIVEN BY GOD, THROUGH HER SUFFERINGS.

MARGIE SAID , WE TAUGHT VANESSA WITH FAITH AND LIVING A CHRIST LIFE. AND PROUD THAT WE GO TO CHURCH AS A FAMILY. SHE TOLD ME TO TAKE GOOD CARE OF VANESSA.

ALL THAT VANESSA HAD ENDURED THESE PAST TWO YEARS, UNLESS YOU WERE SPIRITUALLY STRENGTHENED AND FILLED WITH THE LOVE FOR CHRIST AND HAVE A HUNDRED PERCENT FAITH AND WHAT YOU CAN'T SEE OR HEAR.

IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO ENDURE SUCH A TASK OF TAKING CARE OF HER GRAMA MARGIE 24/7 NON STOP. WITHOUT HAVING SUCH BLESSINGS, HER GRACIOUS LOVE AND THE KNOWLEDGE THAT MARGIE SHARES.

MARGIE YOU HAVE GIVEN VANESSA THE GIFT OF LOVE. I THANK GOD AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR LOVE AND GRACE..

I LONG TO HUG AND EMBRACE MARGIE FOR PRAYING FOR MY SOUL, AND HELPING ME GAIN ETERNITY. WITH MY BROTHER LEONARD, MY NEPEW'S FATHER FRANK, MY GRAMA  AND GRAMPA.

UNTILL WE MEET AGAIN IN HEAVEN WITH YOU AND MANUEL AND ALL OUR LOVED ONES.

I LOVE YOU MARGIE WITH ALL MY HEART AND SOUL.

I remember when i was a little girl about 11 or 12 years old I went with grandma and my aunts and nina to the Sante Nino celebration. The Feast day of baby Jesus. There were lots of happy joyful phillipinos, but above them all.. grandma was the star of them all. "The life of the party". She hugged and kissed and laughed with everyone. The best part that i remember was when the music got started everyone gathered their baby jesus's. Grandma grabbed me to dance in the circle of her church members..As the music played danced  with baby jesus in the palm of our hands and did "circle circle" I remember how happy grandma was that we were dancing together. She was happy and proud to show me off. Ill never forget this day..the love that i gained for baby Jesus and how proud i was to have a grandma so loving and precious to me always.

I miss You grandma with all my heart..as the days go bye i miss you more and more I keep imagining your smile and how happy you must be. I miss waking up to you beside me with a sweet morning smile.I close my eyes and try to dream of you or imagine your sweet loving voice. Grandma when i go outside and I look at the sky i know your in heaven. The bright sun remindes me of your smile. Your smile was like the rey of sun.. warms my body mind and soul. Your in the air I breath. You give me hope and tranquility. You are the reflection of my smile...you inspire me. You are the shining star in the night, you are the aroma in the rose. I feel your touch through my mom. Hugging her comforts me as if im hugging you. Grandma i wont stop missing you. I only cry cause i miss you and i remember all our good memories. Im hoping you come to me in my dreams. Let me know you are there. I pray for strength, courage, and wisdom...I love you Grandma with all my heart. Thank you for all your love. I will share with others what you have shown to us...your unconditional love is worth more than words can express.Because of you Grandma i have hope, because of you I will strive for better and  "Through God all things are possible" and I will always remember your heartfelt words that are comforting. Mahal na mahal kita! Siempre! Siempre!! Love your Nurse love your paborite. This is the smile that lifts my soul...

I am so very thankful and grateful to God for blessing me with the most perfect and greatest gift of all, and that is my beautiful and precious mom. She had the rare kind of love that was unconditional and sacrificial. Her love for faith, family and friends was amazing. Ever since I was a little girl I have always admired my mom for her strong faith in God and enduring trials and hardships in life with incredible strength. I always hoped to be as strong as she was and honored to follow in her footsteps as a woman of faith. Thank you mom from the bottom of my heart for teaching me how to love, pray, and to always have faith in God and most of all, thank you so very much for your amazing love and for always being there for me and my kids.  

MY MOM WAS A BEAUTIFUL SOUL WHO TOUCHED EVERY PERSON'S HEART WITH UNCONDITIONAL AND SACRAFICIAL LOVE. HER GREATEST JOY WAS HER DEDICATION IN SERVING GOD IN CHURCH. AND HER DEEP DEVOTION TO JESUS AND BLESSED MOTHER. AND SPENDING TIME WITH HER CHILDREN, GRANDCHILDREN, AND OTHER FAMILY AND FRIENDS AS WELL. WAS HER TRUE HAPPINESS.

MY MOM LOVE LIFE, SHE LOVED MEETING NEW PEOPLE, AND END UP BEING HER GOOD FRIENDS. HER MOST COMPASSIONATE WAYS ARE TO NOT TO BE JUDGEMENTAL TOWARDS OTHERS, AND TO ALWAYS PEACE, LOVE AND FORGIVENESS IN YOUR HEART.

MY MOM WAS AN INSPIRATION AND A TRUE ROLE MODEL TO ALL. HER STANDARDS AND MORAL VALUES IS TO THE ULTIMATE. PRAYER TO HER WAS UNENDING. HER GREATEST PASSION IS HER FAITH AND TRUST IN GOD. THAT ALONE, HAS GIVEN HER SO MUCH STRENGTH, COURAGE AND WISDOM.

MY MOM WAS A PART OF SACRED HEART CHURCH CHOIR. AND WAS VERY ACTIVE IN CHURCH FUNCTIONS, ACTIVITIES, AND FUNDRAISERS. I ALSO, TOOK HER TO OUR LADY OF LOURDS CHURCH ON TUESDAYS, TO PRAY HER NOVENA ( ROSARY ) WITH A PRAYER GROUP. SHE WAS INVOLVED WITH THIS CHURCH FOR 15 YEARS. AND STARTED A FILLIPINO MINISTRY GROUP. THAT LEAD TO MANY OTHERS FOLLOWING IN HER FOOTSTEPS.

MY MOM PRAISED OTHER PERPETUAL HELP, AND DIVINE MERCY. PRAYING THE ROSARY WAS A TRUE HONOR. SHE WALKED, TALKED AND LIVED A VIRTUOUS LIFE AND IMITATED CHRIST LIFE.

GOD'S DIVINE WORDS WAS INSTILLED IN HER HEART, MIND, BODY AND SOUL.

MANY MIRACLE'S AND BLESSINGS THROUGHOUT MY MOM'S LIFE. THROUGH HER STRONG PRAYERS, THAT CAUSED MANY HEALINGS TO ALL WALKS OF LIFE. THROUGH HER SPIRTUAL ADVICE, AND LOVE AND AFFECTION TO ALL.

MY MOM ENCOUNTERED NUMEROUS EPISODES IN HER LIFE. AND MANY CHALLENGES. INSPITE OF THE HARDSHIPS AND SACRAFICES. SHE CONTINUED TO STRIVE AND STRIVE WITHOUT CEASING..AND NEVER GAVE UP HOPE ON LIFE, AND STOOD STRONG WITH GREAT HONOR AND DIGNITY.

MY MOM SEEKED AND SOUGHT MANY PRAISES AND GLORY IN LIFE. THROUGH SPIRITUAL READING, PSALMS, HYMNS AND GOSPILL MUSIC. THAT MAGNAFIED MANY PEOPLE THAT SURROUNDS HER.

MY MOM NEVER FOUND FLAWS IN PEOPLE. HER GREATEST GRATITUDE WAS NOT FINDING FAULT, BUT FINDING GOOD IN THEM.

HER SORROWS WERE, THE LACK IN FORGIVENESS IN PEOPLE AND ACKNOWLEDMENT TO JESUS CHRIST. WHEN SHE CAME ACCROSS OTHERS, SHE WOULD SHARE STORIES ABOUT HER DEEP LOVE TOWARDS GOD, AND BLESSED MOTHER AND ALL THE SAINTS, AND ANGLES.

MY MOM WAS A TRUE TESTIMONY OF HER FAITH. SHE ENDURED MANY SUFFERINGS IN HER LIFE. AND YET, EMBRASED WITH HUMILTIY AND STOOD STRONG. THAT IS THE REWARDS OF ETERNAL SALVATION IN HEAVEN.

I THANK GOD FOR BLESSING US WITH A BEAUTIFUL MOTHER. AND THE GIFT OF JOY OF BEING WITH HER AN EXTRA 2 YEARS. SHE'S SO AMAZING. I'M GOING TO MISS HER SO MUCH. BUT I KNOW HEAVEN AWAITS US.

MY MOM HAS ALWAYS BEEN A GREAT INSPIRATION IN MY LIFE. SHE HAD LIVED A VIRTUOUS LIFE.

GROWING UP, I WAS TAUGHT  TO ALWAYS PRAY AND GO TO CHURCH. TILL THIS DAY FOLLOWING HER PATH.

THESE PAST 2 YEARS HAS BEN THE HARDEST TIMES IN MY LIFE, AS MY MOM HAD MANY STRUGGELS. BUT SHE CONTINUED TO TRUST IN GOD AND HAVE FAITH. AS SHE ALWAYS TAUGHT US. SHE ALSO, BELIEVE THAT NO MATTER WHAT WE ENDURE IN LIFE, WE MUST ACCEPT AND SURRENDER, AND OFFER IT UP TO OUR LORD. THESE WORDS OF WISDOM, GAVE ME SO MUCH MORE HOPE FOR LIFE.

MY MOM PROVED TO US, EVERYTHING SHE HAD ENDURED THESE PAST 2 YEARS. SHE MANAGED TO KEEP HER PEACE, AND STILL SMILED AT EACH AND EVERYONE OF US.

WE SHARED MANY MOMENT TOGETHER, ESPECIALLY GOING TO DIFFERENT MALLS, CHURCH FUNCTIONS, PARKS AND MANY OTHER PLACES. SHE LOVED TO GET HER NAILS, AND HAIR DONE. MY DAD ALWAYS SAID..SHE HIGH MAINTANCE!

SHE WOULD SLEEP OVER MY HOUSE ALOT. AND AT NIGHT SAT IN OUR PRAYER ROOM IN FRONT OF THE BLESSED MOTHER.

MY MOM WAS VERY ACTIVE IN CHURCH CHOIR AND SENIOR CHOIR IN RANCHO CUCAMONGA. I ENJOYED WATCHING HER EACH TIME. SINGING OUT LOUD WAS HER WAY OF EXPRESSING THE MUSIC IN HER SOUL. THAT IMMURSED HER HEART WITH JOY AND LAUGHTER.

HER CHOIR ALSO, PERFORMED AT THE VICTORIS GARDEN CULTURAL CENTER. THE HAD A HUGE TURN OUT WITH THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE. THERE CONCERT WAS CALLED THE FOLLIES.

MY MOM CONTINUED TO STAY INVOLVED IN ALL SORTS OF SPECIAL OCCASIONS, GIFT GIVING, AND DIFFERENT FUNCTIONS, AND OUTINGS AT MANY LOCATIONS. SHE ALWAYS VOLUNTEERED IN CHURCH FAIRS AND CARNIVALS. HER FAVORITE BOOTH TO VOLUNTEER IN IS..THE PLANT BOOTH, AND PHILLIPINO FOOD BOOTH. SHE WAS SO HAPPY BEING A PART OF THE COORDINATING FUNDRAISARS.

SHE ALSO, WAS IN A FILIPPINO DANCE GROUP. THERE CLOTHING WAS SO BRIGHT AND COLORFUL. SHE LOOKES SO BEAUTIFUL DANCING WITH A HUGE SMILE. NO MATTER WHERE WE WOULD GO, PICTURES WERE ALWAYS TAKEN. AS LOVED IT!

THESE SPECIAL MEMORIES WILL ALWAYS LIVE IN MY HEART FOREVER.

I LOVE YOU MOM WITH ALL MY HEART AND SOUL..GIVE DAD A KISS AND HUG FOR ME, AND ALL OUR LOVED ONES.

YOUR LOVING DAUGHTER, VIRGINIA CASTRO ROMO

I love grandma with all my heart. She has been such a gracious blessing in my life. She has touched my heart and loved me with all hers. As a little girl I was always close to grandma and we shared a special bond. She was the most loving caring and affectionate grandma anyone could ever have.I admired her for her strength, wisdom, and courage. I wanted to gain these qualities and imitate her some day. Most of all i admired her for her strength and persaverance to pull through her sufferings. She never stoped believing that God had a plan for her and for all of us.

One day I asked grandma how she became so close to jesus and blessed mother, she told me that since she was 12 years old she started praying the rosary. She learned how to pray devotedly. She said it made her feel good to pray and she said.. "Mija you have to meditate real hard to feel connected to blessed mother. I yearned to feel the same way.

One of the best memories i have with grandma was when she held my hand while i drove my car. We used to go to the mall and try on cloths together, go out to eat, movies, and church. I felt that special love and bond with her.  We had the most heartfelt conversations about life, her love and devotion to the blessed Mother and Jesus. She always talked about grandpa and their love for eachother.  Grandma's advice to live by your faith is instilled in my heart.

 Grandma walked her talk...she never took her life forgranted or took any of us forgranted. Her love was a gift and uncondiional. Another quality i loved and admired about my sweet grandma was her humbleness and dignity. She thanked God for her test and trials because the true testimony of faith made her stronger and the desire of Gods love healed her pain. Grandma was a teacher and comforter. She was always there to listen and understand...and her laugh and smile healed my pain.

Grandma taught me how to trust in God with all my heart. I prayed so hard for her to be healed. I was overwhlemed with joy when we took her home from the hospital. It was then when i believed in miracles and I appreciated God for his love. I learned that through God all things are possible as grandma always said.

I have loved and cherished these last two years. We had the best most special memories with grandma. I had the strongest love and desire to take care of grandma. I did whatever it took to make her feel so comfortable and beautiful cause she deserved the utmost tender loving care. Though she couldnt tell me she loved me but i could still feel it in her touch and in her smile.  Though it was emotional and painful to see grandma suffer, but i prayed. God gave me strength and renewed my body, mind, and soul. Grandmas beautiful smile was my reward and her trust in me touched my heart. Every night I kissed embraced her because i knew tomarrow was never promised and every morning i thanked God for another day with grandma.

 Grandma is the reason why have compassion for my nursing career.  She always told me, "Have patience mija" and " Pinish your studies". She always believed and had faith in me that some day i would become a good nurse. I know that pursuing my career would make her proud and i know she will walk with me in my journey. Im filled with love and joy and gratefuness to God for giving me the gift of taking care of grandma. Her miracle made a big impact on me and has touched my soul and humbled me. Her love an life will carry me on. I will forever cherish our memories.

I want to express to My nina how much i love her and appreciate her for intrusting in me to take care of grandma. We couldnt have done it without each other. We were side by side always..moment by moment we felt each others heart. Both of us help grandma carrie her cross... Nina I will always cherish the quality time we together with grandma. I also want to Thank my mom for getting me through the tough times. She knew my heart ....she carried my heart too.

Grandma is my greatest inpiration..i have learned love, compassion, patience and kindness. Her genuine faith and wisdom has taught me the best lesson of life. I have yet to live her legacy.

I Love you grandma with all my heart and soul. I will miss you so deeply. One day i will tell my children what a beautiful loving grandma I had. You'll be theirs too. Your our gaurdian angel now.

Ill Miss her saying..."i love you very very much mija...very very much."

 Grandmas love is the very depth of my soul...I have been blessed. I will work my way to heaven to see her again.

 This is a very difficult thing for me to begin; I don’t know whether to start with the pain I have over her loss, or the joy and Blessing of having known her for over forty years. I believe I will start with the latter, the way she would have wanted me to, always good things first. I considered Margie to have been one of my closest friends, a friend I could depend on through thick and thin. She consoled me and prayed with me through some of the most difficult times of my life, she also shared with me some of the happiest times of my life with her loving, giving and infectious laughter. From the very first time we met in West Covina to the time that destiny kept us together at the Senior Center in Rancho Cucamonga forty years later, she never changed, always loving, joyful and caring.

Hello for those of you who may not know me my name is Suzie Aguirre I’ve been a very close friend of the family for over 10 years. I want to share with you some of the memories I have of Margaret and how she has touched my heart. I lost my mother six years ago and it was a very difficult time in my life. Margaret gave me and showed me love that filled the emptiness in my heart and she was like the mother to me. The first time I met Margaret she came up to me and told me hi mija you’re my daughters friend I love you.

I thought to myself she loves me already and we just met, but that made me feel so special and from that point on I grew very close to her and got to know the beautiful loving person Margaret was. I will never forget the time I spent with Margaret, going to the movies, out to eat, seeing Margaret sing in Choir at her church spending many holidays together and one I will never forget was New Years eve 2008 and Margaret splashing holy water all over Josie and I we had so much fun that night just being at home. also just the times we spent sitting down and talking for hours about when she was young and how she first met her husband. Through all the times that we spent I seen a woman that truly loved life and loved her family and as well as the lord. That is the reason why when Margaret got sick it was very devastating to see a person so full of happiness a joy to lose so much that was very hard to take in.

When Margaret came home from the hospital I moved in with Josie because I wanted to be there for moral support for Margaret and for all the family. That was the best choice I made because I was able to be there everyday and night to help with whatever I could, and the best reward I gained in return was to wake up everyday and see Margaret beautiful smile and I will treasure that for a lifetime. I wanted to thank the family for giving me the trust they gave me to take care of their Mother the few times that I did. Margaret raised a very beautiful family and I’m thankful for getting close to a family like the Castros. I also want to give a special thanks and recognition to Josie and Vanessa for taking care of their Mother/Grandmother the way they did. Josie showed and gave her Mother a love like I’ve never seen it was so deep and amazing to see the way she loved her Mother she was Josie life and her everything. Joise you are truly amazing you take after your Mother and you carry her heart. You will be blessed through out life for what you have done for your Mother. Vanessa you are a unique and one of a kind granddaughter. The sacrifice you gave for your grandma was from the heart. You were there by your ninas side every step of the way, and you will also be blessed in your life for what you have done for your grandma.

Margaret lived a happy and blessed eighty two years of life. Margaret showed me how to love and be kind. Margaret passed on her love to everyone she met in life. I will keep in my mind and in my heart of Margaret looking at and smiling and telling me mija I love your laugh and you make me happy. I know she is not suffering anymore and she is in heaven talking, walking, dancing, and smiling with her beautiful smile. I will miss you Margaret You will always hold a special place in my heart.

Love your sushi

Hello my name is Josephine and I’m the youngest daughter…Mom’s Baby.