The Carol Ann Garcia Living Legacy Fund
We are surprised at how quickly Mom’s 5-year anniversary of losing her battle with Ovarian Cancer has crept up. Some days it seems like she was here yesterday, while others it feels like an eternity. Throughout these years, our family has participated in a number of events to help keep her memory alive and we wanted to share them and another that we are very proud of. We have chosen long ago to support the efforts of The Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation. Their mission embodies the love, will, and drive that Mom had during her last days and throughout her life. To help support their research for a cure and efforts to support other families who are struggling with this disease, we have made donations in Mom’s memory, participated in their Mother’s Day Tea party, and annually walk/run in the Sandy Sprint 5k, which is held in April. Our team, TEAM HOPE, has raised and donated more than $4,000 over the past four years. This is a family friendly event for people of all ages/abilities and we welcome new members every year to our growing team. Finally, we are pleased to announce that a living legacy fund has now been set up in Mom’s memory. This site will be a work in progress so check back often for updates!
August 10, 2010
Dear Mom,
Five Years have passed and I still can’t go a single day without you on my mind. I thought that I would write you a letter and let you know what’s been going on. Now, I know that your spirit remains in all of us, especially the girls, but it’s just not the same.
Mom you now have 4 beautiful granddaughters. All girls Mom, I think that there is a curse on all of your boys. The girls are all independently great, but when they are all together the word that comes to mind is magic.
Tatyana has battled back and has defeated all of the odds. They said that she would never play organized ball again and as we all know she proved them wrong. I will never forget the happiness in Anthony’s voice when he found out that she made the freshman team. She is now going to be a junior Mom, isn’t that crazy? The boys are flocking by the dozen and she just got her permit. She is growing up so fast and she will always be my hero. If I have half of her strength in times of hardship, I know that I will be just fine.
Breanna is the true definition of a Garcia. Her personality could light up a room and her passion at such an early age is something that I truly admire. She loves to dance just like you Mom. Even though her dance recitals take forever, I wouldn’t miss the five minutes that she is on stage for anything in this world. She picks up things very quickly and her memory is the worst because she never forgets anything. She is very independent and her sense of style is amazing.
Arianna “Swoopy” is a little angel in disguise. Her & Breanna remind me of Anthony and I. I taught her how to burp and she is the hardest out of the 4 to get a kiss from. She can make an iceberg melt when she is sweet and if you ask her who bit Breanna’s hiney, she swears that it was Tio.
Isabelle is Ramon to a T. She is always happy and her hair changes directions by the minute. Dad and I took care of her when she was first born and I must admit that we had no clue what we were doing. Being the stubborn Garcia’s that we are, we managed to figure it out and Dad is now a pro. I just saw her a few days ago and she now has 4 teeth and I can’t believe that she will be 1 any day now. Mom I don’t have to tell you how special that the girls are, but I must admit that the best time in this world is when I am with them. They represent you and they are a constant reminder that you are still alive.
Dad is doing pretty good Mom and he’s getting more stubborn by the minute. Thank God that his growth wasn’t that serious and who would have thought that a near fatal accident had such a positive outcome. I would have never thought it, but dad spends most of his days with his granddaughters in mind. No flea market or auction can have enough junk for dad to buy for his 4 angels. Dad is retired finally, but I sill catch him working daily. He spends most of his time working on trains, making CD’s, and of course cutting down 30-foot trees. He still never throws anything out and you have to bury stuff at the bottom of the trashcan if you want to get rid of it. You know that he is getting old because he does crossword puzzles daily. You know he is young because he still plays softball with Anthony and I.
As for me Mom, I am finally getting my butt in gear. Before you got sick Mom I took life for granted and I thought that life was one big party. I had the time of my life for 26 years and I never realized that at some point you have to grow up. I wouldn’t change anything before you got sick because it made me into the man that I am today. I have more friends than I know what to do with, my brother and I are still inseparable, and I have so many angels in my life that I lost count. Of course the best person in my life is Kristin. I know that you both regret the fact that you didn’t have more time together. She knew you the least, but she puts more time in keeping you alive than all of us. I am so proud of her Mom and I can’t wait for the day that we begin our own family. She is my best friend and I am so lucky that she is patient. I am also blessed with great in-laws, well they’re not officially my in-laws, but they will be shortly. Anthony and I are living one of your dreams Mom, real estate. We named our first LLC after you, CAG Properties LLC. I have to give Cindy full credit on coming up with the name. We are really starting to see some success and I hope that it leads to long-term security. Anthony and I have some other business ventures in mind and I know that if we stick together, we will be very successful.
Mom I miss you more than I can express and I envy every groom that gets to dance with his mother. Then I remember how lucky I was to have you for 26 years and the envy fades. My love for you will never die and it gets stronger every time I see my nieces. Stop fighting with Gram and give her and Nanny a big hug and kiss for me. I will continue to see you in my dreams and my memories of you are mine forever.
I Love You Mom,
Mark