Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Family History


As many of you may (or may not) know, my grandmother passed away last week at the age of 90. I'm still getting used to the reality of it all, and trying to support my mom through this difficult time for her. She devoted a great deal of her life to caring for my grandmother, finding her a good place to live with people who loved her and cared for her as if she were one of their own. It will be the most difficult transition for her, so your continued prayers are greatly appreciated.

Although I knew that this was inevitable, it still feels very weird to me. I think back on the times I was with her, especially her last birthday. I made her a pretty fondant cake, which she loved. While she had become somewhat emotionless, her eyes lit up, and I knew she loved how it came out. She wasn't exactly the typical grandmother growing up; she never baked us cakes or gave us random hugs and kisses. She just wasn't that type of lady. She was feisty-- and in some cases she was just plain mean. Mean, but very, very funny. But over the past 2 or 3 years, as her health has deteriorated more and more, she became like a child again, and I think this will be the part of her that I will miss the most. Looking back, I know it will be difficult to let go of her memory, but she lived a long and healthy life, and I couldn't ask for anything more.

Anyway, my family held a mass in her memory on Saturday, and I volunteered to create a collage using pictures of her throughout her long life. I dug through old family albums and keepsakes, laughing to myself at how my grandfather never threw anything (and I do mean anything) away. As I searched through boxes, I found a letter that had been written to my grandfather in the 1960s from his uncle, Felix.
Felix was a playwright/poet/songwriter, and wrote the famous film El Derecho de Nacer, as well as a couple of popular Cuban songs. My great-great uncle Felix is still regarded as one of the great creative minds of Cuba, and "El Derecho de Nacer" set the standard for the telenovelas your abuelas (and admit it, you do too) enjoy today. ;)

Anywho, seeing all that history in my family, seeing the long life that my grandmother led, I felt proud of where I come from. Not only from my mother's family, but also from my father's as well. As I looked through old photos of my mom and dad in Cuba, and as I looked at all the great standards my great-great uncle set, I felt like just hopping on a plane and seeing this beautiful country that I have heard such amazing stories about since I was born. I feel like I'm missing a big part of my identity from not being able to visit, but hopefully (soon) I will be able to go and see the places my parents have told me about so many times before, and gain back a huge chunk of who I am as a Cuban.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

An Early Thanksgiving

So today I was checking out some old blog entries, as well as those of some friends. How time flies! I looked at some of the entries from a year ago and laughed at how long ago it seems. It's been one heckuva year, that's for sure. I've experienced so many different things, but most importantly, I have grown so much closer to God, and gained a greater understanding of what it means to live in His word.

In the wise words of Ferris Bueller, Life moves pretty fast sometimes. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you might miss it. How true that is! Life is hectic. We know this. It's day after day of homework, studying, work, projects, essays, and somewhere in there, a social life. It's easy to overlook God in the busyness of the everyday. It's easy to take so many things for granted.

I'm not perfect; I've overlooked God on many occasions. Instead of focusing on Him, and His answers to my questions, I've dwelled on the problems going on around me and looked for my own solutions. I guess it happens to everyone at some point. But God always has a way of showing me who's in charge, and He's great on reminding me of all the wonderful things He has blessed me with.

I have been blessed with wonderful friends.



I have been blessed with a wonderful family (and family-in-law).



I have been blessed with a wonderful boyfriend.


I have been blessed with the gift of life. I have all five of my senses, I am in pretty good health, and I go to sleep every night and wake up every morning.

Sometimes, life can cloud our perception of where God is in our lives. We might not see Him, but He is definetly always there. And even when we are distant from Him, like any good friend, He does something to remind us just how amazing He really is and bring us back to Him. Don't worry about life, it can take care of itself. God will handle it.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
--Matthew 6:34


God is faithful.
--1 Corinthians 10:13