A ROSE LIKE NO OTHER
Monday, April 11, 2011 | 
Posted by
Meliezza Walker
Speaking on behalf of my family, we are eternally thankful
to all of those who have said prayers over the years for
our mother, Rose.
Sixteen years ago my mother was diagnosed with multiple myeloma (an incurable cancer of the plasma cells). My family has seen the ugly side of life along with the beautiful journey of a strong, courageous woman in my mother and the love of a deeply devoted man in my father.
My mother, Rosario Micu Castaneda, was born on October 4, 1943. She has been married to my father, Tony, for 45 years. They met in their hometown in Pangasinan, Philippines where my mother was a teacher and my dad was an engineer. With their first four children (Michelle, Stinelli, Meliezza and Mark), they made the difficult decision to leave their homes and families in hopes of a better life for their children. My father worked in many places, including including North Dakota, California and Washington. We finally settled in Texas in 1974. Our family was complete when my little sister, Lalaine, became part of the Castaneda clan three years later.
We had a very colorful family life. We grew up in a middle class suburban town outside of Houston, Texas. Mom was always cooking Filipino food and entertaining while Dad worked and played his music. My mom prepared a home-cooked meal every night. She was always putting together packages for her family and for the poor people back home. We didn’t have much money at the time but we were always entertained with the many late night Filipino parties, weekend camping trips, and all the relatives who came to live with us. Our parents tried to give us everything we needed. They never let us know the real sacrifices they made for us children until much later in life. Maybe if they had, we wouldn’t have been such troublemakers – not much we can do about that now, but to say we’re sorry…sorry for stealing money from the piggy bank to buy candy, sorry for never cleaning our rooms, sorry for sneaking out of the house, sorry for breaking into your room to find the remote control that you took from us during the summer. Well, we eventually grew up, the four girls got married to great guys and had eight healthy grandkids for our parents to spoil!
My mom is truly blessed in so many ways. She believes in the power of the Holy Spirit and lives her life according to her faith. She fulfilled her dreams with my father. She has a wonderful and devoted husband, four married daughters, a son who loves her dearly, four awesome son-in-laws and eight beautiful grandkids! She and my Dad went back to the Philippines in 2000 to enjoy their early retirement. They traveled back and forth across continents to visit regularly until recently when it became too difficult for my Mom to travel.
Today, my mother lays in her bed day after day, not able to help herself to the bathroom or even pick out her own clothes. She has spent many days and weeks over the past 40 months at MDAnderson. She takes 19 different kinds of prescription pills daily. She has been through countless rounds of chemotherapy. She suffered a minor stroke. She had a stem cell transplant in December 2008. She has bruises all over her body from the thousands of shots she’s gotten for testing or IV meds. She hasn’t slept through the night during her entire course of treatment. She had both legs amputated from complications of chemotherapy during a trip to the Philippines in October 2009 – which brings us to the worst of it all - she can’t go shoe shopping!
BUT despite all this, she still manages to live life to its fullest. She still talks back to her doctors; shops at Ross on seniors 10% discount day; throws dinner parties for her friends; cooks food for her grandkids; collects old clothes for the poor; packs up for door to door and is the highest scorer on Fruit Ninja. These past few months she has been planning the annual San Antonio Festival in her hometown in June. That’s right – in the Philippines - my parents are going home.
We pray that our parents return home safely and without incident. We pray that our mom can pass out candy to the children of Lingayen and serve pandesal and ham to the poor. We pray that she is able to enjoy the life that she left years ago in her beautiful little village. We pray that she continues to smile her gums out!
** Going Away Party Weekend - April 2011 **
** Going Away Party Weekend - April 2011 **
** Tony & Rose - 1962 **
** Dallas, TX - 2005 **
** Miami, FL - 2008 **
** Tony & Rose Plus Eight - 2010 **
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
9 comments:
What a beacon on strength and love your mother is. This is beautifully written and shows what great character and love can do during such difficult circumstances. If I were in her place, I don't know that I would be as positive as she has been through all these years that you all have been dealing with this. Everytime we talk I expect that you're going to say that it's starting to get her down, but it's always the opposite. Amazing strength! I do hope that if, God forbid, I find myself in a situation that seems like it's going to beat me, that I will remember your mother and everything you've ever told me about her so I can stand up to it as she has. I do hope I can meet her one day. I have a feeling you're a LOT like her. I'm keeping my prayers for her, and your family. I know how tough the last trip was, and I pray that this trip will be the trip home will be everything she dreams of!
That's a beautiful tribute to your mother. She's sounds like an amazing women. I will keep her and your dad in my prayers as they travel back home. She's lucky to have you. She raised a wonderful daughter.
Wow Meliezza. That was such a beautiful tribute to your mom. I know that G-d works in mysterious ways and I don't understand why we have to see our loved ones suffer. But it makes me smile to know that your mom, even through the pain, that she still thinks of others. She sounds like a real angel. Lali and I ran into each other at the ER at MDA not to long ago. Jorge was there with terrible side effects of his chemo. I wanted so badly to go and say hello to your mom, but I felt like I would be invading her privacy, so I did not. I wish I would have, now that I think about it, just to tell her how loved she is. I can't wait to let Jorge read this to see what strength your mom has through her terrible ordeal. I know its all relative, but you sending this to us will be a helpful thing. Supposed to be. I do pray for her and that her journey is a good one and I think of you and your family often. I wish I could be there for you more, but I'm stetched so thin and I know you understand. Even if I don't get to see you everyday, you know you are my friend and always will be. I love you tons and again send many prayers your way. Karen
Your mom is truly an incredible woman, and from the sounds of it, so is your father. A family held together at the nucleus by a woman deep in her faith. God speed Mom and may your continued journeys thru life and it's constant obstacles be made easier by the love your family shows.
What magnificent courage, love and faith! Our prayers are with your mom, dad, and whole family.
Meliezza, now I can see where you get your vivacious personality, strength and tenacity! Your mom sounds like an incredible woman with great courage and compassion. I will be praying for their safe return and her health! Love and blessings to you and yours!
Rose is a saint of the first order - thank you M. for your words placing her wonderful life in perspective for us all.
I m ay the airport dropping her off. Reading this made me cry. She is a great woman.
I can not say anything more beautiful than what you have already said. I am glad that I did get the chance to see her for a few moments while they were in this trip. Love to you all.
Donna & Pete J.
Post a Comment