Ciao!

Ciao, abuelito

09.17.2004

Abuelito died early this morning. He'd been in a coma, w/ DNR orders, for a week now. So, while not a shock, still sad. He was a wonderful, happy man. All heart, even to the end.

But his visit to the US wasn't all sadness. He enjoyed spending time w/ his son "en America" (my dad), fixing a screen door, puttering around in the garden. He enjoyed a trip to Chicago, the biggest city he's ever seen. He got to see the Tigers at a home game. He caught an enormous Walleye on Pratt Lake. He enjoyed a trip to the Saginaw County Fair — and the demolition derby! — w/ his grandsons. A fan of cowboy westerns, he got a kick out of Huckleberry Junction.

And I know abuelita is strong enough to make the trip back to Bolivia, taking his ashes back home. And w/ his eternal patience, I'm sure abuelito is waiting for her at the gates of Heaven, w/o a care in the world.

The best consolation I have, is that of all his brothers, my dad's most like abuelito. Every day, he'll remind me more & more of his own dad. So that kind of gentle, joyful spirit lives on in our family.

My brothers — who're better at the emotional stuff than I — have more to say. Sam. Andy.

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UPDATE: To everyone who phoned, emailed, or left comments about my abuelito: Thanks. It meant a lot to me.

Posted by Miguel at 03:28 PM

Comments

Posted by: T'su Rii at September 18, 2004 01:12 AM

Posted by: Nenad at September 18, 2004 07:46 AM

Posted by: Stephanie at September 18, 2004 08:47 PM