It will be 11 years ago that God saw my father suffering and could not endure another day because a cure was not to be on that day, So he put his arms around my father on September 28, 2012, and said "come with me". Pancreatic cancer was the battle that took my father, and consequently left so many of his family and friends with such emptiness. The saying goes that "time will heal", but as I go through the healing process, the time without my father just keeps becoming more evident especially when holidays and special occasion come and go without him. My healing process continues and involves filling lots of emptiness with the great memories because my father touched many in his own special way. You see, my father always looked forward and talked about family gatherings for special occasions and holidays, and cherished every moment and spoke so proudly about all his children’s and grandchildren’s accomplishments. Bella’s HS & College graduation came and went as well as Felicia earning her CPA and thus more emptiness to fill because I know that their Grandpa Phil would be talking about these huge milestones before the event was supposed to arrive. His youngest grandson Seth had to believe and know that his biggest and proudest fan while not physically present to share his special graduation day, he was there somewhere in the crowd. Two of his grandsons Zachary and Tyler were married and we know he would have wanted to be at both of these beautiful ceremonies. He did not get to meet his very first great granddaughter Payton from his cherished grandson, and he will not get to meet his first great grandson Luke and Aly a second great granddaughter, the two that were born a couple years later and this year came another grandson Cain Phillip. It is heartbreaking to know these great grandkids will not know the unconditional love that my father gave to all of us and all of his grandkids, they will not know Grandpa Phil.

It is these special moments that I am challenged to fill emptiness with great memories, and what motivates me to continue to help the fight against pancreatic cancer so other families do not have to endure another challenging day without a cure. So come join us in honor of my father Team Phil Aguirre and let's walk to help conquer pancreatic cancer.

My hope is that one day every cancer patient will be a survivor!

Let's do something great in honor of the ones we love and join together to beat cancer!

Please click on the link below and join our team or donate today!

Bonnie Montoya