Monday, February 3, 2014

Circle of Life - It's Inevitable

My 91 year old year old grandmother passed away earlier this afternoon. (It's technically already Monday, but she passed away on Sunday) Suddenly, everything else happening in the world, really didn't seem as important anymore.  My grandma was an amazing woman.  She lived a long and fruitful life. She came to the United States from Nicaragua when she was very young.  Not long after, she met and married my grandfather and they raised 5 children.  One of them, my dad.  My grandma was a spitfire.  She was always laughing and loved to dance and sing.  She sang loud and proud and didn't care who heard her or who didn't want to hear her.  She sang.  She also loved wearing flowers in her hair, or tucked behind her ear.  It didn't matter the season, or the occasion, if she saw a flower, it was highly likely that she was going gt wear it. She also loved wearing bright red lipstick.  I think I inherited that trait.  She also never met a stranger and was the life of the party. Always.  She loved me.  I was her first grandchild, how could she not? Although her death was not unexpected, as she had been in a hospice for over a month now, it still jolted all of us.  My dad is taking it the hardest.  I'm mostly worried about him.  She was his everything.  He was a mama's boy.  Even now, at his 74 years of age.  I am very sad, but I haven't cried.  At Sunday mass this evening, as I was praying for her soul, I started to cry but made myself stop, because if I didn't, the dam would break and I wouldn't be able to control them.  I haven't shed a tear since.

Not really the way I was going to spend my Sunday.  But then, since when does life let you plan anything?

Heaven gained another angel today.  La quiero mucho abuelita, que en paz descanse.


Maria Mercado aka "Abue" short for Abuela
Peace.

14 comments:

David Batista said...

Oh no! I'm so sorry for your loss, my dear. Grandmas are very special, and yours seemed especially so! It does sound like she lived quite the long and interesting life, and she had lots of family who all loved her. Not a bad way to live ones life. We should all be so lucky!

My heart is heavy with you, Yvonne. I'm so sad for you. :(

Robin said...

Heaven gained another angel today.

Yes.

It hurts to be the one left behind. The good news is that - eventually - we all end up back together again. The best party ever? I don't know.... but maybe!

BB said...

Oh Yvonne, I'm so sorry for your loss. We are never prepared. My Mom just turned 89 and my oldest brother will be 65 and we tease him that he is "her favorite". You will cry when it is the right time for you. Perhaps right now she is telling you to not be sad. She's in a better place with lots of bright flowers and sunshine! Hugs to you. xx

Yvonne said...

David- Thank you, friend! Your words lift spirits up. :)

Robin- Yes, I believe we will all be reunited. Best.party.ever.

BB- Thank you so much! I like that idea, that she doesn't want me to cry yet. Hugs to you, too!

Anonymous said...

So sorry for your loss Yvonne. It's always sad to lose a loved one, but it's got to be especially tough to lose someone who has lived so long and been such a presence in your family. Hope you and your dad are feeling a bit better. I like Barb's comment - maybe your grandma wont let you cry cause she wants you all to remember her with a smile :)

'Yellow Rose' Jasmine said...

Oh, so sad to see this for you.
I am glad that you did get to have her in your life for so long. I'm sure there is a little bit of her in you. :)

Unknown said...

Amiga,
I am so very sorry for your loss. Losing both my grandmother's within the last 8 months was hard and has taken it's toll. I know what you are feeling. Try not to hold everything in. Cry when it washes over you. You will a bit better. Just know how blessed you are to have had her for as long as you have. Such a blessing. Call me when you need to. I am always here for you amiga. Love you my friend! Thinking of you and your family.

Random Girl said...

So sorry for the loss of your sweet, feisty grandmother! Glad you have such sweet memories of her to live on. I have a few of my grandmother's things that she gave me before she passed, one being her HS class ring. I wear it when I miss her an extra bunch...and smile when the thought of her crosses my mind. Maybe you can sport a flower behind your ear from time to time in her honor. Hugs to you darling!

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

I'm sorry, Yvonne. I love her bright colors, and clearly this matched her vibrant character. May countless memories offer comfort to you and your family.

xoRobyn

Yvonne said...

Chris-Thank you so much! I appreciate it very much. I'm doing ok, my dad is not. But I know he will be, with time. -I hope you're doing better with everything,friend!

SAS- Gracias amiga! xoxox

RG-That's awesome!Years ago, she gave me her cherished gold trimmed compact. I had put it away in a keepsake box. But I carry it with me since last Sunday. :)

Robyn- Thank you! She loved her bright colors! :)

Jennifer Hillier said...

I saw am so sorry for your loss, my friend. Her spirit really shows through in that picture! You have a guardian angel to look out for you now. :)

Yvonne said...

Jen- Thanks so much! I am so glad she's up there now, watching over me! :)

Red Shoes said...

What a magnificent photo of your remarkable GrandMother!!

God Bless her so...

She looks like someone that would have been worth knowning... if you know what I mean...

Namasté

~shoes~

Yvonne said...

Red- Thank you! I love that particular photo very much!

Chapter 56

The sunlight peeping through the curtains, stir her from her sleep.  Her eyes open and she rubs them a bit before sitting up in bed.  Eyes n...