Our dear sister, Marilyn (Len) Piquero Goyeneche joined our Lord during the Divine Mercy Hour last Friday, March 20, 2015. She would have been 66 by July 31.
August last year, she called from a hospital in Manila where she was rushed by her children because she suddenly fainted.. It was our first time to learn that she had breast cancer. Even if it was in a very advanced stage, Len decided to go in full faith mode. No surgery for her. She told us all she was ready for whatever the Lord planned for her. God would continue to take best care of her, she declared finally to all of us in her family, her children, her siblings, others who wanted more aggressive medical action about her cancer.
And how right she was.
Len wanted to show how God loves a faithful servant. Although she may have been in deep pain due to her cancer, God allowed her to continue serving Him through her songs for daily masses. Until He called her to His side, God allowed Len to have her soft whispering voice to communicate with us. He allowed her to laugh with us, to interact with us, to show the strong healing strength of His natural gifts (fruits, vegetables, turmeric- thanks to very dear friend Dr. Jimmy Tan for allowing her to keep her pinkish glow and to encourage her never to give up hope). Thanks to God, she was conscious and interactive except on that particular Friday that she joined the Lord
How right Len was to trust God fully.
He kept her away from deeper pain and anguish that other breast cancer patients with stage 4 suffered. How right she was to remind us all to believe fully in God whose embrace she is now enjoying forever.
While we may be in pain and grieving, Lepins, we are consoled that you are where you want to be, with God Who loves you very much.
It is never goodbye then as we remember that rather than loss, you have been added as our prayer partner up there. Rather than more difficult breathing and occasional unbearable pain for you, now you are free and healed completely in the company of our Healer. Rather than miss your laughter, your singing, your guitar playing and more, we know and will remember that you will always be able to do these where you are, forever.
Len arrived in Cebu from Manila last Tuesday evening, March 24th, to be reunited with Ed (her husband who joined the Lord February, last year) and gratefully again, during the Divine Mercy hour, at Cempark this Friday, March 27th after the 2pm mass at the St. Peter's Chapels in Mandaue.
Thank you, Lepins, for your laughter, thank you for your songs, thank you for your love, and thank you for your strong faith. We all joined you lift your prayer to the Lord and we are assured that your prayer was heard, that you are now where you want to be so you can join the Lord watch over us always.
Bask in God's eternal presence, rest, love and peace, Lepins.
We love you and miss you so much but as we told you before you joined the Lord, we will be happy where you are happiest. God will take best care of us all, including your 4 loving children (Kirk, Don, Mark, and Mae), just as He took best care of you and Ed.
We know now that you knew and saw God's great love and care for us all before you finally told the Lord you were ready to let go and let God. You joined Him so we can always be reminded, just as you experienced, about the beauty, the joy, the strength and the assurance of God's continuing love and care for us all.
Thank you again, Lepins, for your continuing love and your deep faith in God. May more realize what you shared and what you wanted to continue to share: that God loves all and that He will always take best care of all.
Thank you, Lord, for taking best care forever of our dear Marilyn, together with Ed, Papa Leoncio, and Mama Mater, Papa Jo and Mama Celia, Yoly who joined you exactly a year ago today, and all our other family members , relatives and friends who are now all with You.
Lepins, now you can sing forever of God's love. Now, everyday up there with God will be an unending celebration of praise and worship! Your songs, your love and strong faith in God, and your love for your family, for us all will be our balm to soothe the sad moments and our strength to smile and move on, through each day, in faith, with God.