thoughts of an inspiring example

shared by Marlo R. Beall, her sister

This past week, my daughter Cyn Cyn had the amazing opportunity to participate in the ASA Western National Championship Softball Tournament. She and the rest of her 10u teammates played an exciting week of softball games along with over 80 other teams from the western United States.

There were several moments throughout the week when I noticed her channelling her Tita Cyn. I was so proud to witness those times when her actions reflected many of the characteristics that her Tita Cyn embodied. These included...

...making the effort to always be inclusive (especially of a teammate)

...working hard to bounce back from disappointment (such as a lopsided loss)

...enjoying silly moments (like cheering and dancing in the dugout)

...embracing and celebrating new, extraordinary life experiences

I'm sure there were a few other examples, but those are the ones that struck me the most. So thank you Cindy for continuing to be an inspiration to me and the rest of your family, especially your nieces.

thoughts of extra innings

shared by Marlo R. Beall, her sister

This evening, more than 200 friends and family members attended the Oakland A's game to raise money for the memorial scholarship funds for our cousin Zoe. It was a successful and fun-filled event!

There were so many moments when I just knew that both Cindy and Zoe were smiling right back at all of us, as we were looking up into the beautiful, bright sky.

Most notably, hearing my niece Michaela cheering "Let's Go A's!" and "Let's Go Scott!" (Kazmir, tonight's starting pitcher). This was her first A's game. I'm sure Cindy was pleased that the tradition of young Rabuy girls attending A's games was being upheld.

The game went into extra innings, and unfortunately the A's lost in the 12th inning.

But there were two other moments that made it so worth the time and energy of sitting through the entire game. And that was getting to see our mom - sporting her bright gold A's jersey and matching gold A's cap - singing and dancing to the music playing in between those late, extra innings.

I know one time she was dancing to the song "Shout!" from the movie Animal House, and I think the other time it was to the song "Ladies' Night" by Kool and the Gang. Watching her dance was priceless.

Our mom was channelling Cindy's silly, playful energy. And as I turned to watch my daughter Cyn Cyn dancing along with her Lola, I realized just where that energy originated from; that we all got it from her.

Thanks for the reminder, Cindy. And thanks for giving me even more reasons to enjoy an evening at an A's game. I have a feeling that you and Zoe were dancing along with us too!

thoughts of simple green

shared by VJ Rabuy, her sister

When I was in elementary school and Cyn was in junior high, she brought home a small sample packet of the cleaner 'simple green'.

I guess it was new - or new to the Bay Area, but the thing that was amazing about it was that it was a super small sample size, like 0.5 or maybe 0.3 fl. oz. You were to put it in a 24 oz. bottle of water to dilute it!

That's how the cleaner worked! 

A couple of months ago, I noticed my Tito Pol using the same 'simple green' product to clean the headstone of our grandparents’ grave. I thought back to the ‘simple green’ that Cyn and I had used to clean the house.

It had been a while since I had thought of it, and I was pleased to recall my first experience with the brand, and Cyn's sample from way back when.