This is a picture of my grandparents(Great-Grandmother Prudencia, Grandmother Mariana, My Grandfather Mario and the young lady in the picture is my dad's sister, My Aunt Blanca. Obviously, this was taken a long time ago:)
I was always told that I looked like my Grandmother Mariana. Surely, I started to see the resemblance as well as personality from the glimpse of time I spent with her as a child. I was named after both grandmothers from each side of my family; Laura Mariana. I remember my grandmother's soft spoken voice when she spoke and the sounds of the Mayan language. However, I didn't know what they meant :). She always wore these beautiful white embroidered dresses as you can see in the picture, her gold jewelry, and wore a bun to hold her long, black hair. I have a collection of those dresses that she sent me from Merida, Yucatan in Mexico. She was so kind, peaceful, and sweet. If I may add, she was quite the prankster, lol. I remember her sneaking up to my step-brother and pinching him...ok. ok more like she goosed him, LOL! I remember laughing so hard. She loved her grandchildren! :) She had such a good heart.
Due to extenuating circumstances outside of my control, the last time I saw her was in 1993-94. I loved her so much and even though I never saw her again, I always thought about her. I wish I could have seen her one more time. I really mean it, but the Lord only knows why things happened the way they did. He always redeems what was lost :). In the last couple of days, my mother was looking for my brother's birth certificate and she came across pictures of my grandmother. She was surprised by her findings and told me about it. The next day, we ran into a good friend of ours and updated us on my grandmother. She had been living in Tennessee with my Aunt Blanca. She was in the process of moving back to Merida, but on December 29, 2008 she passed away. My mom and I took it as a sign that she was thinking about us at that time. (I know she thought of us always) How did I find out being out of contact with my other side of the family? Let's just say God is so faithful and He knows I have a right to know on her well-being. Well, It hit me hard and I know she is in a better place! She does not have to endure her sickness and the changes she was about to go through.
I'm thankful for the time I got to see her and know her. Oh, how much I would have loved to have seen her now that I am much older. As it is said, life is but a breathe. I know one day I will see her again. I will always remember her laughter, her soft-spoken melodic voice, her smile, her generosity, her humor and kindness to others. I love you, Abuelita. May you rest in peace and I hope to carry your name with integrity and humility as you did! :D
Thank you for taking the time to read this. May 2009 be a great year for all of you!
Blessings on you guys!
Love ya'll,
Laura :)
