The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Psalms 23
Mami,
Your entire life has been such a marvelous gift to all of us. Through your obedience to the LORD and unselfish ways you have left an incredible legacy to your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. No small feat, for a humble little lady from Gibara, Cuba.
We will never forget you in your role as daughter. When the miles kept you apart, you always cared for your Mom and Dad; Pilar and Tomas. You wrote endless letters, said countless prayers and sent ever so many care packages to Cuba. Your obedience and caring attitude toward your parents was the reason why God granted you such a long, full life. Honoring father and mother is the first commandment with promise.
We will never forget the wonderful marriage you had beside our Papi. You went wherever he felt the grass was greener, even if it meant being separated from your brothers and sisters and living in countries where you had no one but your husband and children. You always were incredibly resourceful and creative in planning your menus, and your three children remember the many hours you spent sewing for us. In the latter years of your marriage, when your children were gone from home, it seemed to us that you and Papi grew even closer. You seemed to have fallen in love all over again! You called him your “Viejito†and he called you his “Candiâ€, or his “Viejita.†Only death was able to separate you and now we know that you are together enjoying eternal fellowship with the Father. What joy you must both be experiencing!
As a daughter of God, your example shines on. We remember you when you chose to lock the door to your room and do your“Quince Minutos con Jesus Sacramentado†(Fifteen minutes with the HolySacrament). Fifteen minutes were never enough . . . you remained in your room way longer, and the LORD was always faithful to answer your pleas. Your pleas were unselfish. You prayed for your husband, for your children and grandchildren. You knew of God's power and love and were so certain of these that you never hesitated. . . you always went to Him first.
You were always passionate about your children . . . from the moment of birth. You refused all pain medications when you birthed us because you wanted to make sure that you got the right baby home with you. You were not about to take any chances. You nursed all three of us and we were always your first concern. You together with Papi sacrificed much personal comfort in order to provide the very best schools money could buy. You instilled in us solid values, which to this day mold our lives.
You took great joy in seeing your grandchildren and great grandchildren. Your only regret is that you always wished you could do more.
You loved your rose garden . . . and we could hardly count how many beautiful rosebushes you tended and propagated. When we lived in Puerto Rico, your carnations were famous and you were known in the neighborhood as ‘La Señora de las floresâ€(The Flower Lady.) People would slowdown, as they drove by to admire your wonderful flowers. We remember that you seldom liked to cut your roses . . . as you liked to enjoy them best in the garden.
We are all deeply sorry for the pain you suffered in your last years of life. We had no idea how horrible the pain must have been. It wasn't until you were on your deathbed, and heavily medicated, that we realized the extent of your physical pain. You would wince and groan as you were ever so delicately moved by the attending nurses. Oh, that we would have known, to have spared you the pain.
We take joy in knowing that now there is no pain. In the presence of the LORD, all else is forgotten. How well you deserve the joys you now surely experience.
We dearly miss your sweet smile, and your smooth as silk loving hands.
Our routines, without you, will now change . . . but we will never, ever forget you. We will take joy in telling others about you. You were the Super Mom and Super Wife and Super Daughter even before such terms became popular. We will always love you and cherish all memories of you.
Until we meet again in eternity,
Your Ever Loving Children
Dania, Miriam, & Augie
