Published in the San Jose Mercury News on 4/4/2009
Cayo S. Adlawan died Mar. 30, 2009 of cancer, surrounded by the love of his family. He reunites with his wife Ester D. Adlawan; is survived by his children, Mario, Lina & Chris; grandchildren, Marlyncris, Geralyn, Paul, Esthermay, Charisse & Bren. Viewing: 4/8, 11am-9pm, Funeral: 4/9, 10am at Oak Hill Mortuary in SJ.
My grandfather passed on a Monday night. My dad called me right before I got off work and told me to come right to the hospital. I thought he was just rushed to emergency for being an acute illness. I didn't think this would be the last time I would see him. When I got there, he was already non-responsive. I was so sad that I missed his last words, that I missed the last time that I would look into his eyes, or the last time that he would feel my hand touch his.
I cried by his side, never once letting go of his cold hand. He was still breathing. My father was sadly hoping, but I knew that this was it. I saw him take his last breath and my heart was broken.
If there was anyone in my life that I wish lived forever, it would be my grandfather. He was like a father to me. I was always with him growing up as a little kid. As I got older, I would pray that he would be there to see me get married and have my first child. I don't know why, he's just so important to me. I remember for my cotillion, many people commented on the fact that I chose him to be the first person I danced with for my 18 roses instead of my dad. It's like he's my first father and my biological father is my second father. People on my grandfather's side of the family get so mixed up that sometimes they call my grandfather, my father. For instance, when they would tell me stories about my grandfather they would begin with, "Your father used to..."
For his memorial I created a poster to display near the guestbook as well as a slideshow. I promised my family that I would post the slideshow on YouTube so that family and friends from all over the world can view it. Here's the video:
Cayo S. Adlawan died Mar. 30, 2009 of cancer, surrounded by the love of his family. He reunites with his wife Ester D. Adlawan; is survived by his children, Mario, Lina & Chris; grandchildren, Marlyncris, Geralyn, Paul, Esthermay, Charisse & Bren. Viewing: 4/8, 11am-9pm, Funeral: 4/9, 10am at Oak Hill Mortuary in SJ.
My grandfather passed on a Monday night. My dad called me right before I got off work and told me to come right to the hospital. I thought he was just rushed to emergency for being an acute illness. I didn't think this would be the last time I would see him. When I got there, he was already non-responsive. I was so sad that I missed his last words, that I missed the last time that I would look into his eyes, or the last time that he would feel my hand touch his.
I cried by his side, never once letting go of his cold hand. He was still breathing. My father was sadly hoping, but I knew that this was it. I saw him take his last breath and my heart was broken.
If there was anyone in my life that I wish lived forever, it would be my grandfather. He was like a father to me. I was always with him growing up as a little kid. As I got older, I would pray that he would be there to see me get married and have my first child. I don't know why, he's just so important to me. I remember for my cotillion, many people commented on the fact that I chose him to be the first person I danced with for my 18 roses instead of my dad. It's like he's my first father and my biological father is my second father. People on my grandfather's side of the family get so mixed up that sometimes they call my grandfather, my father. For instance, when they would tell me stories about my grandfather they would begin with, "Your father used to..."
For his memorial I created a poster to display near the guestbook as well as a slideshow. I promised my family that I would post the slideshow on YouTube so that family and friends from all over the world can view it. Here's the video: