Letter to Tasha

Precious Lord,
take my hand,
Lead me on, let me stand;
I am tired, I am weak,
I am worn;
Through the storm, through the night,
Lead me on to the light;
Take my hand
precious Lord,
lead me home. – Thomas A. Dorsey

Tasha dearest,

Yes, Christ has indeed taken your hand and led you home.

For us who are left behind, it seems all too soon, too sudden. The shock of your demise still reverberates, in our head, in our hearts, in the very core of our tummies.

It is hard to believe that one so beautiful, so young, so vibrant, so dear to all of us, is taken from us so unexpectedly!

Your outward beauty – the word is gorgeous – is so well complemented by a loving soul. I may not be your mother, but I am totally devastated and shattered by the loss of a kindred soul.

Your sister Katrina is right. You are a natural, a people person, both passionate and emotional, a stunning young lady, mature beyond your age with an unbelievable presence. Yet, on top of your unassuming beauty is a truly humble, thoughtful and most generous soul.

As your mother Jeannie Goulbourn said of you and your sister: "Katrina is like a Siamese cat; she enters very silently. Natasha comes in and your world gets shaken."

Well, Tash, you’ve truly shaken our world this time, and not by coming in, but by going out!

We will surely continue to miss you.

If I haven’t done so, may I now thank you for taking care of my son Vernon, by inviting him over for a home-cooked meal while he was out alone in McGill University in Montreal, Canada where you and Trina were attending school too and majoring in fashion design.

You and Bea Jacinto were my pride and emcees at the launch of our music magazine Pulp in December 1999 at the Glorietta in Makati City. And you both did it just for the love of "Tita Gracie." No fees. No GCs.

Yes, Tash, we will surely miss you always, as we do now. The world is a lot poorer, and definitely a whole lot emptier without you. All you value are what money cannot buy – peace, love, happiness, enduring friendship; the camaraderie you shared with your father, Sid.

You are too good for this world, Natasha – and Christ has led you through the storm, through the night...to the light."

You are all light now and in God’s loving embrace.

We love you, Tash, and we always will.

This world is not my home

I’m just a’ passing by.

My treasures are laid up

somewhere beyond the sky.

The angels beckon me from

Heaven’s open door,

And I can’t feel at home

in this world anymore. – From a Christian hymn