I have many MomHeroes, however, the one I wish was here with me today is Mi Abuelita. Today we celebrate her life, not her death. Two years ago on this very day, she went home to be with the Lord. It was a very difficult time for me, for all of my family. I was three months pregnant with Pinky, so it was that much harder for me. I wanted Pinky to know her Great Grandmother, her Visa Abuelita! I wanted her to hold her hand, to kiss her and to make funny faces at her. I wanted Abuelita to experience holding her very first grandchild. Although that never happened, one day she will know who her Visa Abuelita was and is, because she still lives in us.
When I first started writing about My MomHeroe’s, I referenced something she used to tell me all the time, “respeta tu mama!” It means, “respect your mother” in Spanish. It is so ingrained in my head, but before, it is sometimes very challenging to do. As a child and then a teen growing up I always shrugged and told her, yeah, yeah, I heard you. I never thought that one day, something so simple could mean so much and in so many ways. After having Pinky, I developed a whole new level of respect for my own mom.
I miss mi Abuelita. She practically raised me as a child. I love her. She was such a strong woman. Always prayed every morning and every night…without ceasing, the way we’re supposed to. She was a faithful Catholic, she was no mother Theresa, but she was my mother Theresa…that was her name 🙂 Abuelita raised three children, two boys, and one woman, my mom! I am grateful to Abuelita for raising such a kind person, for nurturing my mom since birth to be a great mom to me and my siblings. Both of them have a huge, loving and forgiving heart.
Mi Abuelita is my MomHero for several reasons. Me and my sibs were her only grandchildren. She taught us how to pray, how to be respectful, how to love, how to just be! She wore two different color socks, spit into bandanna, saved her toilet paper rolls and told amazing stories. I don’t know why she did half the things she did, but I do know that she loved us wholeheartedly, unconditionally. I lived in her home for 14 years. I complained that I had to share a room with basically my entire family, that I had no privacy and so on…Now I long for those days, the closeness and comfort I felt living at Hiawatha Way with mi Abuelita. Her home, will always be my home.
Peace Remember Me This Way!
I know she is watching over us, and that she is proud of Pinky. Mother’s Day was the last time I saw her back in 2009 – the day we announced we were pregnant. She was so happy and overwhelmed with joy, but I think she knew she wasn’t going to make it to see Pinky. I could tell, I hated to believe it and know it, but I did. She passed two weeks later and I could remember everything step by step that happened the morning I got a call from my sister at approximately 6am. It was a hard day for the whole family, but we are getting through it. I regretted not visiting often enough, not video taping our conversations enough, but that only made things worse, to dwell on the what ifs and the should’a could’a would’a’s! Instead, I remembered to embrace the things she taught us, the way she loved us, the moments we shared hanging clothes in the back yard, praying and making her chase me down the street. I can go on and on about mi Abuelita. I loved that she was up for anything. Nothing, and I mean nothing and no one fazed her! We put bandanna’s on her and taught her how to do the peace sign. We told jokes and stories in her living room while Telemunodo played in the background. Oh, how I miss those days.
Mi Abuelita, te quiero much! Today, we celebrate a beautiful life and a bond that will never end because she lives in us and we will pass her love onto our kin. I pray that we do not water it down with false hopes and negative beliefs, I pray that we preserve the memory of our grandmother well until it’s or time to go.
Please join me in celebrating My MomHero, mi Abuelita!
Dear Angela,
I can’t believe it’s been 3 years since she passed. Growing up with your family I have learned many things about how you guys value one another even when times are tough. I remeber as a child growing into an adult making multiple visits with your family to see your abuelita. I always admired the fact that that you guys always have had an understanding with her. Even though I wasn’t able to speak spanish and communicate with her directly, I knew that she was a very kind harted respectful person. No matter who you were and what background you came from.
Even though I am not a real family member, It’s always interesting to share these moments and events as time passes by. As we grow older we always learn something new. It may not always make sense at the start, but learn and live from that experience.
I’m sure that with you being a mother you see everything in a whole differnt light and from a new perspective. I guess the best way I can describe it is by looking through a new lense in life. It’s like your vision and an infinate camera and you catch every single moment.
You have a lot to learn about being a mother as any woman would. It’s always a good thing to look back on the wonderful things your mother and your grandmother have taught you to grow into the woman that you are today. One day you will be able to tell your daughter about the memories that have experienced as a child by the women who made such an influence in your life.
There are many years to come. Sad, happy, and life changing. As your being pinkys mother. I honestly think you will do fine. Just always remeber that no matter how great and difficiult times were in the past, it’s always important to look back and see what kind of furture you want to have for your daughter. Take care.
Always, Rhi
Rhianna, you are a part of our family! You always have been since I gave you that first ride home from school! Thank you for being such a wonderful friend to Amber and all of us really. You are a very eloquent writer and I thank you for all of the kind things you said! It has been a pleasure watching you grow into a mature and beautiful young lady! Remember we are always here for you! xoxo!
Well said Rhiana, i got the chills reading ur comment. And u have always been a part of the ROBOSAs since day one, u already know!!! 🙂
Awww… this made me miss my own Abuelita! She would have been 97 next month! Thank you for this awesome post about your own feelings! BTW… Thanks for hopping by 7 on a Shoestring! I am stopping back by to show some love. 🙂
@Staci Thank you so much for reading. I’m glad that this post reminded you of your Abuelita. They are so special! Much love to you and your family!