Let Me Go
When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me
I want no rites in a gloom filled room
Why cry for a soul set free?
Miss me a little, but not for long
And not with your head bowed low
Remember the love that once we shared
Miss me, but let me go.
For this is a journey we all must take
And each must go alone.
It's all part of the master plan
A step on the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick at heart
Go to the friends we know.
Laugh at all the things we used to do
Miss me, but let me go.
Christina Rossetti
We miss Martin every day. He is in my mind and heart upon waking and the last thought before sleeping. As in the poem, when you are sick at heart, go to the friends we know. Your being here with us to remember him means the world to us. Thank you. Salamat.

Martin is the second in the brood of 4. For all the children, in the first 6 months of pregnancy, I could not tolerate food. To focus on Martin, somehow I can eat 3 inches of Subway... Read more tuna salad. He did not eat tuna sandwiches until high school but that became our go to house sandwich. He is not married to Subway. Around that time, I was doing bench research and working with an OB/GYN fellow. One day, we had time before working so what does she tell me? She'll do a different kind of US to see more details. Well, it showed Martin's right kidney was lower than his left kidney. Of course I had to tell my OB who did not even have to ask. That led to consultations and more follow up for a condition that is not an illness. It's an incidental finding. Martin was born in a big hospital. We made a joke about it after that he will not get exchanged for another baby. All that we need to do is get an ultrasound and see the evidence right away.

He was born in the early morning of Feb 16, 1998. When I saw him I thought he does not look like us. He had round cheeks and more round eyes. APGAR 9 and 10. He was pink and healthy. We make a joke that he is genetically modified. My handsome boy.

We lived in an apartment while I was in training. My healthy active child surely gave the nanny a run for her money. Up and down the couch, knocked his head once. He had to wear a yellow helmet with frogs. He's cute with that helmet.

We moved to CA and he continued to show curiosity in people and things. He gave baseball and soccer a decent try. He got better at it but it did not make him happy. He got into martial arts and fencing which made him popular with his little friends. When he was in middle school, he defended a girl physically after a boy would not stop harassing her. He got suspended for that. He was so remorseful he did not eat nor go out of his room for 2 days. I cite that to show how he will protect you, watch out for those in need and defend those in need. As I mentioned, he was in a sport that demands speed and accuracy. Plus knowing how to defend yourself. Well the talk among his little friends were the other boy got what he deserved and bad luck that Martin was in both martial arts and fencing.

He is quite particular about coffee and is not into fast food or processed food. He looks oddly at store bought guacamole but we will both scarf down home made guac. I eat potato chips and he will give me the look. He does not eat Taco Bell but once on my drive home, he called asking me to buy because he had friends in the barn. He has his opinions for sure but if it will make you happy, he gives in and supports you all way. Well, Taco Bell for 10 kids it is.

Martin went to St Mary's College in Moraga and he would say he liked it then say he does not know why he chose to enroll there. I take that as what college students say because he had friends, was in clubs and graduated with honors. He even got an award for being a being a good photographer. Not bad. He has a good eye. When we went to Yosemite for an office retreat when he was in elementary, he took pictures which was later put in cards that were distributed to all.

He was excited to move to New Haven to study. Being there could not compare to how he liked San Francisco. There were not many who had the same interest as he did until he found Bradley Street Bicycle Co-Op. He found a place that was good for him socially, physically and emotionally.

Then, Friday Feb 24, 2023 happened. My heart is broken. I don't see any relief from the grief. One time we went to San Francisco to celebrate Martin's birthday. On the way home, he learned I was crying. He asked because there was no reason to. I told him it's because in my mind, I was leaving him or he was leaving me. Well, my child left me first. He leaves a hole that is so hard to fill. There's only one of my Martin. He is Joanna's, Kay's and Peter's brother, a nephew, cousin, classmate, friend. I know him as my son. I would like to hear from all how they remember Martin. As long as someone remembers, he will always be with us.
To honor Martin’s memory, the family will have trees planted in areas that need it most Read less

Let Me Go
When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me
I want no rites in a gloom filled room
Why cry for a soul set free?
Miss me a little, but not for long
And not with your head bowed low
Remember the love that once we shared
Miss me, but let me go.
For this is a journey we all must take
And each must go alone.
It's all part of the master plan
A step on the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick at heart
Go to the friends we know.
Laugh at all the things... Read more we used to do
Miss me, but let me go.
Christina Rossetti
We miss Martin every day. He is in my mind and heart upon waking and the last thought before sleeping. As in the poem, when you are sick at heart, go to the friends we know. Your being here with us to remember him means the world to us. Thank you. Salamat.

Martin is the second in the brood of 4. For all the children, in the first 6 months of pregnancy, I could not tolerate food. To focus on Martin, somehow I can eat 3 inches of Subway tuna salad. He did not eat tuna sandwiches until high school but that became our go to house sandwich. He is not married to Subway. Around that time, I was doing bench research and working with an OB/GYN fellow. One day, we had time before working so what does she tell me? She'll do a different kind of US to see more details. Well, it showed Martin's right kidney was lower than his left kidney. Of course I had to tell my OB who did not even have to ask. That led to consultations and more follow up for a condition that is not an illness. It's an incidental finding. Martin was born in a big hospital. We made a joke about it after that he will not get exchanged for another baby. All that we need to do is get an ultrasound and see the evidence right away.

He was born in the early morning of Feb 16, 1998. When I saw him I thought he does not look like us. He had round cheeks and more round eyes. APGAR 9 and 10. He was pink and healthy. We make a joke that he is genetically modified. My handsome boy.

We lived in an apartment while I was in training. My healthy active child surely gave the nanny a run for her money. Up and down the couch, knocked his head once. He had to wear a yellow helmet with frogs. He's cute with that helmet.

We moved to CA and he continued to show curiosity in people and things. He gave baseball and soccer a decent try. He got better at it but it did not make him happy. He got into martial arts and fencing which made him popular with his little friends. When he was in middle school, he defended a girl physically after a boy would not stop harassing her. He got suspended for that. He was so remorseful he did not eat nor go out of his room for 2 days. I cite that to show how he will protect you, watch out for those in need and defend those in need. As I mentioned, he was in a sport that demands speed and accuracy. Plus knowing how to defend yourself. Well the talk among his little friends were the other boy got what he deserved and bad luck that Martin was in both martial arts and fencing.

He is quite particular about coffee and is not into fast food or processed food. He looks oddly at store bought guacamole but we will both scarf down home made guac. I eat potato chips and he will give me the look. He does not eat Taco Bell but once on my drive home, he called asking me to buy because he had friends in the barn. He has his opinions for sure but if it will make you happy, he gives in and supports you all way. Well, Taco Bell for 10 kids it is.

Martin went to St Mary's College in Moraga and he would say he liked it then say he does not know why he chose to enroll there. I take that as what college students say because he had friends, was in clubs and graduated with honors. He even got an award for being a being a good photographer. Not bad. He has a good eye. When we went to Yosemite for an office retreat when he was in elementary, he took pictures which was later put in cards that were distributed to all.

He was excited to move to New Haven to study. Being there could not compare to how he liked San Francisco. There were not many who had the same interest as he did until he found Bradley Street Bicycle Co-Op. He found a place that was good for him socially, physically and emotionally.

Then, Friday Feb 24, 2023 happened. My heart is broken. I don't see any relief from the grief. One time we went to San Francisco to celebrate Martin's birthday. On the way home, he learned I was crying. He asked because there was no reason to. I told him it's because in my mind, I was leaving him or he was leaving me. Well, my child left me first. He leaves a hole that is so hard to fill. There's only one of my Martin. He is Joanna's, Kay's and Peter's brother, a nephew, cousin, classmate, friend. I know him as my son. I would like to hear from all how they remember Martin. As long as someone remembers, he will always be with us.
To honor Martin’s memory, the family will have trees planted in areas that need it most Read less