Part 4: Mami Vieja

This story although short is as full of love as any. My great grandmother, which was my grandmothers, mother. She passed shortly after I went to go live with my grandparents. Even though the days spent with her were short lived, love was in no shortage. Her name was Francisca, but we all knew her as “Mami Vieja”

I remember her long silver hair that was always in braids. I thought it looked so pretty. Like a long silver ropes that hung down passed her waist. I remember I asked her this question. “Mami Vieja, why do you wear your hair in braids? Is it because it looks pretty?” She responded in her sore raspy tone, “No mijo, es porque tengo calor! I don't have A/C!”. I didn't know what to say to that. I didn't know if I should laugh. So, I just nodded, pursed my lips and said “That makes sense!”.

Every time my grandmother would go to her house, I was required to join. It wasn't a question of if I wanted to go, rather a courtesy to let me know to be ready to go in five minutes! I was usually the one who hauled whatever my grandmother decided to take with her that day. It always included something to eat. It was as if we were going on a long pilgrimage and required crates of food to drive six miles from one house to the other. If you haven't noticed by now, Latinos always find any reason to eat!

As I mentioned before, our days together were short lived, however, I can tell you this. When I saw my grandmother and my great grandmother together, it was nothing short of magic. Unaware that they were teaching me while they sat and had their cafecito and pan dulce. When I saw them together, you could feel the love, you could see the love, you could smell the love. It was unconditional love.

They weren't distracted by cell phones or 5,000 cable TV channels. We had channels 3, 6, 11 & 16.

My grandmother was a powerful woman who would live forever and nothing could ever harm her. Well, that's the way I saw her. Until I saw her with her mother. She was a little girl with curly hair looking at her mom with wide, round and brown eyes full of wonder.

The day Mami Vieja passed, I had witnessed a pain so great that it tore through even the toughest armor. Seeing my grandmother so uncertain and drowning in tears made me realize that life is uncertain, so love fully and freely everyday.

Thanks for reading & remind those around you how much you love them. Do it often! It won't cost you anything but the rewards are great.