Ciao, Abuelita
03.11.2007Less than three years after abuelito, my abuelita followed him to rest. I wish I could've been there at the end. Sam & Andy were able to fly down. But I called when I could, and I got to speak to here, joking about some of her old stories. And, in the end, I'm actually happy for her.
Blind for the better part of the last decade, her mind remained sharp as ever. And after her husband (abuelito) died, I can only imagine what it must've been like in the darkness, surrounded by all her vivid memories. But she was sharp until the end, even if leukemia sapped here strength away.
Our penultimate conversation, I joked with her about my memory of her in 1952. I'd always heard she served in the civil militia during Bolivia's revolution. I told her how the mental image of her (she's about as short as Doctor Ruth) with a long, heavy Mauser always made me smile. She laughed, then corrected me. She never knew why we all believed that. She'd only helped in the watch.
As a government employee, she was required to help in the civilian militia during those early days of the MNR's National Revolution. But it was the men who pulled guard duty; the women took turns serving them coffee. So she did her year of watch duty, serving coffee to the MNR's militia. And every night, abuelito would wait up for her, then walk her back home.
I suppose he's been waiting, as patient as abuelito could always be. And now he gets to walk her home.
Posted by Miguel at 10:02 PM
Comments
I am sorry to hear about your loss. I know it must be difficult to be far away. I was only fortunate to be in Bolivia for the passing of one of my grandparents, but the other ones I was in the States.
Posted by: eduardo at March 13, 2007 01:37 PM
Sorry to hear about your grandma's passing... she sounds like a brave and strong woman.
Posted by: Stephanie at March 16, 2007 02:56 AM
it was a beautiful ceremony. I got a few things to bring to you on my return trip. I will be in DC in a few weeks and maybe see you and Andres if we have time. Ciao.
Posted by: Sam at March 16, 2007 01:06 PM
I'm sorry Miguel, I'm glad you and your brothers got the chance of being close to her.
Posted by: Daniel at March 19, 2007 09:39 PM
Beautiful post, son. I know she was ready to leave and be with Enrique and her Savior.
Posted by: mom at March 22, 2007 12:05 AM
Sorry to hear that Miguel, my own abuelita passed away three weeks ago in La Paz, almost 10 years after my abuelito passed too.
Like you I was not able to go to the funeral.
Thoughts and Prayers to you.
Posted by: Boli-Nica at March 29, 2007 12:19 PM
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