Dear Eliza..

What you are is God’s gift to you, what you make of yourself is your gift to God. Eliza, all I can say is you were the most wonderful gift of a person God has ever received. You were undoubtedly the most beautiful person inside and out. You never had an unkind word to say about anyone, forever smiling with an infectious laugh much like your mother and mine that spread like wildfire and could be heard for miles. You were one of the strongest women I’ve ever had the pleasure to spend time with and I am so proud to call you my cousin because you are amazing.

Mum always tells me how you were the only person that could tackle my interrogative streak when I was young and forever asking questions. You never found it tiresome to answer all the questions in the world that I put to you and you fulfilled all my curiosities. Whenever we visited Goa, you made it your priority to show us all a good time. I have all these memories that I shared with you that I will forever treasure, from night time walks and wishing on shooting stars to sitting by the stream near Cujira chapel and going to Miramar beach.

You were like a big sister to me. I knew I could always come to you whatever the matter and you would always sympathise with me and makes things feel a lot better. You made me understand that everything could not be picture perfect all the time and that there have to be arguments and fights and tears and tantrums for family bonds strengthen and relationships to mature.  Whenever I felt like I needed to give up, you always told me things would work out if I had faith in God and I know you always kept me in your prayers. You always encouraged me and told me to not waste my talents and keep being artistic.

Even in your ill health you never failed to make people around happy, and whenever we came to visit you always cooked all of my favourite things, not to mention special additions for dad! We had big plans, you and me, I remember us saying that we would go to Switzerland one day, for a girls weekend away when I graduated.

You are undeniably one of the bravest people I have ever met, even when you were suffering so much you never showed us how you felt. Our time together was limited by your illness and it hurts me to have to say goodbye to you.

If I could make our family proud just half as much as you have, it will be an incredible achievement. I don’t like the fact that you had to depart this world so soon but I know you are in a better place now and I know that you are happy. I know that you are looking down on me and being my guardian angel. I love you and miss you so incredibly much. Rest in peace, dearest angel.

Loves of Love,

Your sister Cina