Smiley, kind-hearted and generous, my Tita Amy, Amanda Nicdao, was a woman of integrity, an open-minded person who wanted to see the world. From the great wall of China to the pyramids of Egypt, her and my Tita Baby, also known as Dr. Erlinda Ocampo, shared in the love for new travel adventures.
She loved to cook, she was wonderful with children and was an amazing school teacher, often remembered, by students and colleagues alike from Don Bosco, Emmett Mulaly and Gerald McShane Elementary schools.
As first generation Canadians they started with very little but had plenty because of her love for her family and that of her sister before her. When we were younger, she would spoil us with the latest dolls, all the princess dresses my heart could desire and gave me so many first early memories like my first peanut butter, honey and banana sandwich, my first Caligraphy set or my first solo flight across Canada when we achieved Straight As. My most memorable years would be those spent here in Montreal every other summer. We would watch basketball and baseball to our hearts content and she would scream everytime it would be a close game. She had a laugh that reminded me so much of my dad and it was contagious. We would take road trips like Disneyworld and Maryland where my sister and I would open up to them about our young lives and she would comfort us and tell us everything would be OK.
At family gatherings she would make her infamous Nicdao secret family bbq recipe slowcooked on charcoal that she founded, always served with an abundance of corn of the cob just as she loved it.
As I lived here, she would come to my work and bring me food, and trade books with me like Tuesdays with Morrie or the latest Dan Brown release, curious to read something new, something different.
When she fell ill, my life had changed so much and it was very hard. It was my Tita Baby who never left her side, and cared for her wholeheartedly while we couldn't be there as she was everyday. It was Tita Baby now who would listen to me as I opened up to her about my life while my Tita Amy would look at me and smile. I hope you know Tita Baby how much we love you for loving her. I missed her dearly already back then and each time both seeing her and leaving her broke my heart each time, I didn't have the courage to tell you how much I missed you.
Leaving you today and all those days still breaks my heart but I find comfort that you are in the company of the angels and the Lord and are now safe in their company at peace. I was glad to kiss you goodbye that day, I want you to know that I loved you profoundly. You are and will be one of the most influencial people in my life. If only we could have just one more day with you.