Lydia, My Sister, My Friend
by Art C. Faelnar
(Eulogy delivered on August 18, 2001 at St. Justin Parish Church)

My name is Art. I am Lydia's brother. She called me Kuya, which is a Filipino endearment for an older brother.

Lydia and I came from a family of six siblings, three boys and three girls. For some time after she was born on June 11, 1958, she was our family's youngest. Being so, we called her Baby. And among us, that name stayed on despite the arrival of our youngest sister, Cristina, six years later. When we were kids, we used to call each other names. We named Baby "Ilong" for nose. She was skinny and her nose was big.

The girls developed a special bond with each other. It was a closeness that endured the test of time. And in the case of Lydia and her older sister, Tess, that closeness lasted throughout Lydia's lifetime. It was only recently that I learned about this relationship. From a brief conversation with Tess, I found out that when they were kids, they used to talk until the wee hours of the morning - of any subject that came to mind like talking about their favorite movie star (who was Vilma Santos) to counting the stars in the sky. During her illness, I believe that Lydia thought about those days because when I told her that Tess was coming from Manila to be by her side, some time after her bone marrow transplant, I felt her gladness.

Christopher Columbus found America for Europe during the early days; Lydia found it for our family. She was our pioneer. A true adventurer, she was the first family member to travel overseas. She went through difficulties at the start but with her patience and perseverance, she was able to survive it all. She did not forget the family that she left behind. While building her own family here in San Jose, she was also doing everything possible to bring our family to the states. The rest of the members of my family finally came to the US late last year. But as my mother said, it was ironic that just after all of Lydia's efforts were realized, it was time for her to depart again. Not to be sad, I countered. God has other better things for her.

She believed that the best legacy she can leave her children was a good education. Despite the cost, she enrolled her children in private schools. She wanted nothing but the best academic foundation for them. She loved her two daughters very much. Ly-Ann and Kathleen, be conscious of what your mom has thought and planned for you. Do your best to finish school so your mom can be proud of you one day. We, your relatives from both your mother and father's side, will help you. We will do our best to assist so that what your mother started will not be in vain.

Lydia was strong. She endured pain and kept it to her self for she did not want her loved ones to worry. She always tried to project a positive image every time friends and relatives visited her at home or at the hospital. As Tess would fondly remember, Lydia would ask her "How do I look?" when she knew that visitors would come. Her last words to her children were "Don't cry. I'm OK". She knew how serious her condition was yet she managed to keep her composure. Let me read to you an email that she sent me after she was told that her cancer resurfaced. At that time, I just came back from an east coast vacation with my family and my mother-in-law just arrived from Manila.

Lydia was a warm and hard working person. She was loved by every one who knew her. She was always there to help. She never turned down anyone who needed her assistance. Last night's testimonials showed how she touched our lives in different ways.

Lydia, to say that we will miss you is such a big understatement. No one can replace the space you left in our hearts. And we will do our best to continue where you left.

To honor her great performance and for the opportunity that she gave us to be with her these past forty three years, please join me by clapping our hands in applause.

Thank you.

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