6:02p

tita lita
'been up since 7:30a and I went to bed at 2am. That's why I've got a splitting headache right now.

my boyfriend and I got up early to attend Tita Lita's funeral mass.
I felt much better today. In fact, throughout the mass, I kinda felt as if
Tita Lita was right there with us, happy and content.
I didn't really feel any sadness.
I think the music helped, too.
My friend played the piano and sang throughout the ceremony.
She has a beautiful voice...like an angel...so I was really comforted by that.

Then, when it came to the end of the mass,
a sudden feeling of sadness came over me.
It was as if Tita Lita was finally saying goodbye.
My poor tissues were soaked.

And then we walked outside of the church to
watch her casket be returned into the limo and driven back to the
funeral home.
At her request, she will be cremated so there was no funeral procession.
Then in an instant, the wind picked up and started blowing leaves all over the place.
We joked around saying maybe that was Tita Lita saying thank you
to all of us for being there.

Tita Lita was apparently a pretty amazing woman.
She's like everyone's favorite aunt...so kind, so giving...and wow, the life of any party.
At the wake, they talked about how she loved to sing and entertain friends...and she enjoyed
being the center of attention while still remaining humble and ever so classy.

There was even a whole bus load of ex-co-workers there who rented a charter bus
and traveled from L.A. that very morning to be with her.
It was such a testament to me of how beautiful a person she truly was.

It was great to also be able to hang out with the rest of our friends who
came out to support the family. As usual, life took over and we were
joking around like we always do.

side trip
afterwards, we also headed over to Ikea to purchase some stuff.
by this time, me and my boyfriend's feet were giving out
and sleep was taking over me. luckily, my boyfriend drove
so I reclined my passenger seat, and
assumed the sleeping position.
I was out until we got back home.

and now here i am.

revelations
so tomorrow will be Tita Mila's time.
We'll be attending her Wake in the evening
and her funeral will be on Wednesday.

In the last 2 weeks, Bim and I will have attended
one wedding and 2 funerals.
I guess life happens that way sometimes.

In attending Tita Lita's services, though, I've come to realize
that as much as I question (and no longer practice) Catholicism and all of the
religious practices that go with it,
I still believe in prayer and the power in it.

I still don't believe, however, that prayer is only legitimate when it is done in church.
And I don't believe that there is only one way to pray.
Everyone has their way of connecting with God (whoever he/she/it may be) through different styles of prayer, and I still
believe that those ways need to be respected.