Showing posts with label grandmothers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label grandmothers. Show all posts

Thursday, April 08, 2010

Viva Mi Abuela (Grandmother) [updated]

My wife's grandmother died today. She was 92.

This is the woman who raised Tania from about 3 years old. She is the one who instilled values and beliefs in Tania. She is the woman who I went to ask for Tania's hand in marriage.

According to Tania, her abuela was a strong and independent woman who didn't need any help from anyone. In the 1970s, when Tania was a little girl, they lived on a piece of land on the banks of the Orinoco River where they raised chickens and pigs, and grew a few crops. Her abuela was so fierce and strong, she could kill a pig with a single wack of a thick stick between the eyes.

When I got to know her, she was already an old lady, blind, who loved me for taking care of, and being a good husband to her favorite granddaughter. She spoke to me in Spanish like I understood it. She spoke to me about the love of Jesus, and Hugo Chavez. She loved them both. I can't fault her for loving the former, but I think the latter had her fooled.

She was a good woman who lived a long hard life. May she rest in piece.

Viva mi abuela!

[update] I went to the funeral and it was very touching and nice. The whole time I was there, of course everyone is chattering in Spanish, so I withdraw into my own little world and this song kept playing in my head. Tania loves Billy Joe Shaver so I wanted to add this.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Goodnight Grandmother

Christmas 2007

I got an e-mail from my mom saying that my grandmother is in her last stages of life. She might die tonight. She said her good-byes to my mom (her primary care-giver). She's been around for 101 years! And she's had a pretty good life! Better than most.
I love my grandmother...she'll be missed, but this is a blessing; both for her and my mom. My mom is tired too. She needs a rest.

Update:
I don't want to sound morbid or anything, but as of 21 January I haven't heard if she's passed or not (kind of like the old Saturday Night Live..."Gen. Francisco Franco is still dead!"...guess you have to have been of my generation to get that joke). I am okay with this...she had her good bye with me in August and like I said above, she's had a good life...better than most people.
She's been a great influence on my life..she's the biggest reason I never did drugs, and eventually went back and finished college. She has been a terrific grandmother! A woman of class and distinction. Though once she called me a heathen for not going to church! She pulled no punches.
She enjoyed her daily afternoon toddy of Wild Turkey until about 2 years ago.
She will be missed!