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Light a Candle
Raymunda Silvano Galan
Born: Culaba, Biliran, Philippines
Passed Away: Escondido, California
Gihigugma Ka Namin
Email me any stories you would like to tell about her life and I will add them to her biography. Thank you.
1942-1960
The eighth of eleven children of parents, Manuel and Claudia Galan. She used to ride her dad's water buffalo.
1961-1980
Married Robert Flohr and had two children, Vivian and Robert Jr. Lived in Manila, Germany, New Mexico and other places as an Air Force wife. Settled in Ohio with husband, Robert and their two children.
Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
1981-2000
Married Charles Crutchfield.
2001-2110
I started going to the local senior center around March or April of 2010. I soon connected with a group of Mah Jong players since I became interested in learning how to play. Raymunda was in this group. We became friendly and we played Mah Jong at the senior center as well as the senior community where she lived. See below ↓
2011-2014
She unexpectedly moved to Ohio to live with her daughter and grand-daughter around May, 2011. So we lost contact. A few months passed when one day a mutual friend gave me her number in Ohio. We started talking on the phone and after some time, I asked her to move in together.
20111210 - Moved in with me in Escondido.
We were together until she passed. In that time, we were apart for only 2 nights. I invited her to live with me as a girlfriend and to share expenses. However, because of her diabetes, I soon became her caregiver and cared for her until the end. She became my companion and best friend. Caring for Raymunda was not an easy task. Because of complications from her disease, she was delusional at times. These periods could last from minutes to hours to days. At first this was extremely hard to deal with but I learned to cope and could usually calm her down.
Since I could not leave her alone for more than an hour or two at a time, we were always together.
She was happiest and most expressive when speaking her own dialects especially with her family. Although I made it clear to her family that they were always welcome here, they rarely called or visited her. So most of the time it was just the two of us.
Of course, we did go out to eat, shopping, the senior center, local events, doctor's appointments and worked out at local gyms. She was also doing bible study with Benny and Leny who were great friends. Since they are Filipino, she really enjoyed the time with them speaking Tagalog!
20121123 - ... "when I go so I will be in my quiet place of the wind" ... - Raymunda
20140910 - " ... she was a sweet lady with a very cute little smile." - Karen Williams
She is Gone
by Anonymous
You can shed tears that she is gone
or you can smile because she has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that she'll come back
or you can open your eyes and see all she's left.
Your heart can be empty because you can't see her
or you can be full of the love you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember her and only that she's gone
or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
or you can do what she'd want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.
I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU, MUNDING! ...
"You have been telling people that this is the eleventh hour.
Now you must go back and tell people that this is the hour!
And there are things to be considered:
Where are you living?
What are you doing?
What are your relationships?
Are you in right relation?
Where is your water?
Know your Garden.
It is time to speak your truth.
Create your community.
Be good to yourself.
And not look outside of yourself for a leader.
This could be a good time!
There is a river flowing very fast.
It is so great and fast that there are those who will be afraid.
They will hold on to the shore.
They will feel that they are being torn apart, and they will suffer greatly.
Know that the river has its destination.
The elders say that we must let go of the shore,
push off into the middle of the river,
keep our eyes open,
and our heads above the water.
See who is in there with you and celebrate.
At this time we are to take nothing personally,
least of all, ourselves.
For the moment that we do,
our spiritual growth comes to a halt.
The time of the lone wolf is over.
Gather yourselves!
Banish the word struggle from your attitude and your vocabulary.
All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.
We are the ones that we have been waiting for."- The Elders, Oraibi, Arizona Hopi Nation
