It's been over a decade since she passed, and yet, I still hear her voice when I drive in California, reminding me to keep a safe distance between me and the car in front.
She was the closest thing my mom had to a sister, and my brother and I grew up writing to her, our late Lolo Ino, and Mo – letters for birthdays and holidays. We were always giddy to receive hers, because they always came with a present.
In 2014, I spent my birthday in the Bay Area, and that morning, I woke up to a card waiting for me at the dining table, with the most generous gift, and a note apologizing she couldn't join us for dinner.
When I left for the airport at the end of that trip, I remember her standing outside, waving. That would be the last time I'd see her.
She was a remarkable woman. She raised my cousin as a single parent, and was always generous to the people around her. On my first trip to the US, she took me to Anaheim and we spent two days in Disneyland. I was so exhausted from the work trip that most things are like a blur now, but I do remember that I never spent a single dollar while we were in Anaheim.
She was equally generous with advice. She always reminded me to save money, and invest, and take advantage of time while I was young and didn't have a lot of responsibilities. She told me that kindness goes a long way and people will never forget it.
I'll always be grateful I got to spend a lot of time with her in her later years. I do feel a little sad thinking she never got to meet my two wonderful nieces or see Mo become the amazing father he is today.
It's true what they say – you never stop missing some people. And sometimes, they're always just there, reminding you to keep a safe distance between you and the car ahead.