Now to a subject I've been avoiding for a while.
My Grandma Garza passed away Sunday April 24, 2005 at about 3:20 in the afternoon.
I was just about to bow in for my class when my phone rang. I called my sister afterward and we decided to go to the hospital to be with my family. See Grandma had gone in on the Friday before for stomach pains which turned into something else. A surgical procedure was required with a chance of septic poisoning happening. The next day she went into septic shock and didn't wake up. Sunday my Dad got a call to come to the hospital. He called me from the road. My sister and I got there and Dad came out of the room to tell us they had just signed the papers to put her on comfort care. Which means morphine and respirator and nothing else. I remember I didn't say much for a time I just kept nodding to people in recognition and trying to remain unbending for those around me. It was very hard to do. My stepmom and uncle were already there. My cousin arrived with my aunt a few minutes later. Not long after the heart monitor started to decline rapidly till there was nothing.
No I think I'm wrong on that last sentence.
It is important to remember through each tear falls as they are now that there was, is and forever shall be something. To some she was Mama Garza, Licha or Maria. To a priviledged few she was Grandma. To four blessed men she was Mom. To a lucky man she was wife.
See she had a way of being a mother to all around her regardless if they were related to her or not. She gave and gave and gave when she had and when she had not. But even without money she found a way to give wether it was a phone call, food or just plain love. Everybody called her or stopped to see her for one reason or another. In my case she knew when something was on my mind. And she knew just how to fish it out of my head too. Food or more specifically cooking.
My Grandma taught me how to cook and how to enjoy the tastes and pleasures that can be taken through eating. But more importantly through her I learned my most valued lesson which is to take care of the ones you love. Her favorite way of doing that was through cooking. I cook to show people that I care just like she did. I can make my food contain the power of my emotions and care just like she did.
The services and funeral were nice my uncle from Alabama sang a few songs. The priest gave a good sermon. A relative from Texas gave a nice speech. The mariachis from our wedding were there and they played several of Grandma's favorites. Then my Dad got up said a few words which had everybody in tears.
"I believe that the love of a mother is the love of God"
In me, in my life and in my actions I will honor the traditions passed to me by a good teacher, a good person, a good friend and a grandma.
My Grandma Garza passed away Sunday April 24, 2005 at about 3:20 in the afternoon.
I was just about to bow in for my class when my phone rang. I called my sister afterward and we decided to go to the hospital to be with my family. See Grandma had gone in on the Friday before for stomach pains which turned into something else. A surgical procedure was required with a chance of septic poisoning happening. The next day she went into septic shock and didn't wake up. Sunday my Dad got a call to come to the hospital. He called me from the road. My sister and I got there and Dad came out of the room to tell us they had just signed the papers to put her on comfort care. Which means morphine and respirator and nothing else. I remember I didn't say much for a time I just kept nodding to people in recognition and trying to remain unbending for those around me. It was very hard to do. My stepmom and uncle were already there. My cousin arrived with my aunt a few minutes later. Not long after the heart monitor started to decline rapidly till there was nothing.
No I think I'm wrong on that last sentence.
It is important to remember through each tear falls as they are now that there was, is and forever shall be something. To some she was Mama Garza, Licha or Maria. To a priviledged few she was Grandma. To four blessed men she was Mom. To a lucky man she was wife.
See she had a way of being a mother to all around her regardless if they were related to her or not. She gave and gave and gave when she had and when she had not. But even without money she found a way to give wether it was a phone call, food or just plain love. Everybody called her or stopped to see her for one reason or another. In my case she knew when something was on my mind. And she knew just how to fish it out of my head too. Food or more specifically cooking.
My Grandma taught me how to cook and how to enjoy the tastes and pleasures that can be taken through eating. But more importantly through her I learned my most valued lesson which is to take care of the ones you love. Her favorite way of doing that was through cooking. I cook to show people that I care just like she did. I can make my food contain the power of my emotions and care just like she did.
The services and funeral were nice my uncle from Alabama sang a few songs. The priest gave a good sermon. A relative from Texas gave a nice speech. The mariachis from our wedding were there and they played several of Grandma's favorites. Then my Dad got up said a few words which had everybody in tears.
"I believe that the love of a mother is the love of God"
In me, in my life and in my actions I will honor the traditions passed to me by a good teacher, a good person, a good friend and a grandma.
