sabroso!

It's been a hard week for this blogger. My grandmother sadly passed away on Monday. Monday afternoon was probably one of the most traumatizing experiences of my life. My grandmother, I have to say is one of the biggest inspirations in my life. For what I can remember a lot of my life has been filled with women. My dad is always out making sure we stayed afloat financially, and it's been that way since I was small. I've grown knowing strong women due to this and all of these women have been directly impacted by my grandmother. When my grandmother was younger she'd do anything in her power to make sure all 10 of her children were taken care of. She worked for other families and picked up jobs, that frankly people would not take. Not only did she provide for her family but she also took in complete strangers and raised them as if they were her own children. She was a kind, amazing, and poised woman. I credit her for making my mother who she is today. My mother is a tough cookie. She's the man of the household and holds us together. Like my grandmother, she takes care of us to the fullest extent she can. She also makes sure those around her are taken care of. There have been countless times where I remember my mother taking care of elderly people who have no immediate families left. My mother made herself their family until it was their time to depart the earth.

The strongest I've seen my grandmother has been the past two years though. She suffered a major stroke around the time of my sister's 15th birthday. Since then she's been at my home being taken care of my mother. My mother never showed despair, weakness, or sadness through those two years. My grandmother also held on for as long as she could. She suffered another major stroke in April which put her in a coma. She, thankfully, came out of it, but in doing so she initiate the final timer. She was in hospice care ever since then. Through those painful years she never once cursed anyone or anything. She was thankful for everything. I would always ask her how she felt and she'd always say "I'm feeling better". She believed firmly in Christianity and I am certain that she is somewhere in heaven along God's side. I was fortunate enough to say goodbye to her before she finally departed. It's been hard on my mother this week though. This is the weakest I've ever seen her, but I know that she'll rebound and be stronger than ever.

So, thanks to the 21st Century, I guess I'm saying my final good-bye to her here. I really did not do this for others to see, rather just to put it on an outlet. Abuela thank you for everything you've done for our family. Not only have you shown us how to be kind-hearted and accepting human beings you also showed us how to be strong. You showed us how to persevere no matter what came our way. You braved through so many storms and made it out in one piece all the time. You taught my mother everything she knows and you taught her character. I also ultimately believe that because of you my mother has reconciled so many of her beliefs to accept who I am. So Bebela I thank you because you have been a vital part of my life, consciously and subconsciously. Thank you for everything you've taught me and I'll see you again in another life.