Growing up alongside my cousins in both San Diego and up north in the Bay area, summers were always a great time. Those who lived up north would come down to southern cal to come "play" at the beaches and theme parks and basically just enjoy summer as it was meant to be - lots of fun. We would hit up all the major theme parks, from Sea World, through Disneyland and Magic Mountain to name a few, with myself or some of the other "legal driving aged" cousins at the wheel of a small armada of mini-vans. It was a great time indeed.

     During those summers when my cousins Chris, Nikki and Andrew would come down, they'd be accompanied by their mom, Auntie Eris, who was always super nice, warm and loving. I would always be the one to drive their mini-van (cause it was the newest at the time!), plus the most full. We'd venture off to different places, have a great time, eat a fabulous dinner, and then get back to San Diego to re-energize ourselves for the next day. Those days we would stay with Tita Becky (who passed away last month). Auntie Eris would be there amongst the "elders", and would always support everything and anything we'd want to do. I remember her like I do Tita Becky, inviting, warm, generous and "cool". So much so that at the end of their trips, she would always give me money for driving! Too generous! (I would always politely decline, considering she would always pay for everything.) I always knew that it would be a great time when they would all come down and spend time.
 
     I was truly saddened when I got news that Auntie Eris passed away yesterday after a relatively short battle with cancer. She leaves behind my three cousins, who as children, also saw their father, my uncle, pass away as well. She raised them to be the great people they are today, and I have to say how awesome a job I think she did with them. I hadn't seen Auntie Eris in a while, and was hoping to during Tita Becky's funeral, but unfortunately, time wasn't on our side.
 
     I'll remember all the laughter we all shared, those fun summers. Those huge family parties that we had when almost everyone was still around. Yet, I know, that as we get older, we are now getting to that "age" where we will start to lose the aunts and uncles who raised us. Those family members who gave us all those wonderful memories, and helped shape us into the adults we are today. It's never easy losing a loved one, whether near or far, old or young, but sadly, it is a part of life, one that I'll never really get used to.
 
     Even though I didn't get to see Auntie Eris in recent years, I will most definitely miss her greatly. Her smile, her warmth, her loving energy. I will always be grateful for everything she did, and for raising such terrific cousins in her short time with us. Godspeed Tita Eris. Thank you for everything. And do say hello to Tita Becky for us once you see her and tell her we miss her too :)