Welcome back. You belong here.

Today marks the 5th anniversary of my abuelita’s death (grandmother). I was raised by my abuelita basically since age 6. My abuelita cleaned homes her whole life. She gave me everything she had and died of an unexpected brain anyurism at age 78.

Today, I spent time with my good childhood friend Hugo (Juice). We talked about a lot of things, including abuelita. At one point Juice said to me, “I loved your grandma, she was a great woman”. I loved her too and she was a great woman. She taught me everything I know, from sacrifice to endurance and hard work. She taught me the value of suffering and being long-suffering yet she was a woman who laughed. I remember her laugh.

I remember just about everything about that day, her hospital bed, conversations we had and then her burial on Jan. 7th, it was a rainy day, my friend Juice was by my side, so was the rest of my family. But that’s not all I remember. I remember her wisdom, her tough love, and huge heart. I remember her advice, her singing, her laughter, her voice on the phone with Tia Alicia or Tia Sonia. I remember her tears, her hair, her knees, her feet, her hands, her beautiful face.

I basically lived with mi abuelita from age 12 to 26 and she then lived with me the last five years of her life. That’s about 30 years of being together every day.

I don’t remember her favorite perfume, although it’d come back to me if I smelled it, but I remember her favorite shoes, familiar clothes, her church outfit, her pj’s. I remember her favorite TV shows (Sabado Gigante) and countless soaps in Spanish. I remember her singing worship songs to Jesus, I remember her Bible, her chair, her doing her bills and talking to my Tio Albino. I remember her voice, everything about her I miss.

Today I remember mi abuelita, mi viejita que se fue muy temprano (died too soon). I honor and respect her, and thank her for all she taught me. I miss you abuelita, there will never be another one like you in my life.

May my life be lived in respect and appreciation for all you did for me and may I live in a manner worthy of your life.

Have a great day.

Into the future,

davidT