07/29/2026
For those wondering why Mini Moon has been quiet lately... my cousin, Rhea, passed away one month ago today. She fought cancer with incredible bravery and never let it define her.
I had to cancel my last orders because all I wanted was to spend as much time with her as possible. I even took the month of July off, hoping we’d have more time together. She never made it to July 🥺.
Rhea was so many things—a devoted wife, an amazing mom, a loyal friend, and the kind of family member everyone wishes they had. She was also a natural-born helper.
Whenever I needed an extra pair of hands for Mini Moon, she was usually the first to volunteer. She helped me make pandesal for my very first pop-up in the middle of a summer heat wave. Just imagine shaping bread in this weather 🥵 (IYKYK!). Later I asked if she’d help me again once the weather cooled down, and she smiled and said yes. We just never got that chance. Now every time I make pandesal, I’ll think of her.
One of my favorite memories was sitting with her during chemotherapy. I was stressing over something with my cottage bakery when she looked at me and said, “Don’t worry, Sandy. I got your back.” That kind of support came so naturally to her.
She never stopped cheering me on. Even during her hardest days, she texted me to say how excited she was that I’d been accepted into my first (and biggest!) market. Who does that? Rhea did. She always found a way to celebrate everyone else, even when life wasn’t celebrating her.
I’ve noticed a lot of sourdough bakers openly share their faith. That’s never really been me, even though I do believe in God. Rhea’s faith was quieter. She never pushed it on anyone. You saw it in the way she loved, forgave, and cared for people. (Continued in the comments)
