I can’t believe it’s been 12 years since we took this picture! I remember trying to fit everyone in the small living room of a home that represented so many memories to each of us. These are my siblings from my mom’s side. Even though as young kids we all lived the same circumstances of a dysfunctional home, the memories were different for each one. Fortunately, there was always one constant thing that did not change, my mother. We grew up learning from her actions how to be caring, forgiving, friendly, hard working, how to serve others, how to go the extra mile to help, how to do everything in excellence and to love unconditionally.
We were happy to be together but sad it was her funeral. Behind the smiles you see at first glance in this picture, there are feelings of disbelief and unfulfilled promises. Promises I made to her that I could no longer accomplish. Trips we didn’t take, visits we didn’t make, recipes we didn’t cook. Knowing her, these “unfulfilled promises” would have meant nothing to her in comparison to more important things she would want me to do. She’d want me to be an extension of her. She’d want me to reach out to people in need and not only talk about God’s love for them but show them in action what that means for them and somehow, even if in a small way, add value to their lives.
Why disbelieve? I thought she’d live forever! Okay, I hoped she’d live forever. I would have never suspected she’d died at 67 and so suddenly. Her prayer was always “Lord, when it’s your will to take me, let it be fast”. Within a few days of getting an aneurism, she took her last breath of life. Yes, she was highly favored and God answered even that prayer for her.
My mom was an amazing woman, deeply rooted and spiritually strong. A woman that persevered until she conquered unimaginable victories. Her faith still sustains me and fills me with the hope to know her prayers are still answered.
If you knew my mom, you were impacted by her and I’d give anything to hear from those that would take a moment to leave a phrase, a comment or a memory of her on this day in which I celebrate her life. For me, writing about her and sharing it with you is the best way I can thank her for all she meant to me. Norma
My mom was an amazing and wonderful woman that was beatiful, wise, kind, patient, full of love and joy!
She definitely was the best mom anyone could dream of!
Every time I started thinking and speaking of her, my heart fills with love, I can’t avoid to smile, be grateful with God for such an honor an blessing and I can feel a tear coming out of my eyes, tears of love for how much I still love her, tears of gratitude for how much she gave me and tears for nostalgia because I miss her so much and still need her!
I learned so many things from her, and the way my sister Norma described her is so accurate, but even though I think we would needed at least one book to start sharing a little of that amazing woman we had as a mom!
Some days, like this I just feel like her life was too short but at the same time I feel like she gave it all!. I know for sure that her legacy will continue and all the seeds of love she planted in our hearts will became the most beautiful and fructiferous garden.
Thank you mamita for all the love, sacrifices and teachings that you gave us, but most of all for the amazing example you left and for your love and passion for God, that without a doubt, was the best heritage you could ever left us!
Para ella el vivir era Cristo y el morir fue su mayor ganancia, anhelaba tanto estar al lado de su amado Jesús que no puedo evitar estar llorando mientras escribo estas palabras soy parte de esa gran extensión por la que por tantos años ella oro y oro y el no tenerle cerca no me gusta pero sé que su fe quedó arraigada a mí como un gran árbol de grandes raíces se sostiene de la tierra de eso que le da vida. Ella me enseñó siempre el camino de la verdad y de la vida y por siempre estaré agradecido con ella,mi abuela Elisa te ama tu nieto Sonny.
My grandma was an inspiration , a source of spiritual wisdom, strength and of an unending joy that points us back to Jesus. Even though I was barely in my young childhood days when I got to be with her, I always remember her very sweet attitude in life! She saw me walk, talk and do many things for the first time. She was there praying for me when I got sick and she definitely cried out to God to give me His eternal salvation and His calling from an early age. I know that because her prayer was answered and since I was 10 years old I came to my faith in Christ and I experienced a deep relationship with God! As a 22 year old young man, I cannot be more sure of God’s faithfulness in my life and I know that she was the first in the family to surrender to God and for that , I am forever grateful. It takes a lot of faith, courage and perseverance to pray and impact generations after you and Abuelita Elisa definitely did that with her amazing relationship with Jesus while she was on earth ! Now she is enjoying the wonderful salvation that Jesus paid for us all in the cross and if anyone believes and confesses Jesus as their lord and savior , they could also start their journey with Father God!
4 Comments
María Arias
Hay tanto que recordar de mi Hermosa Hermana Elisa pero lo queremos expresar solo con esta frase ella era todo amor y amabilidad para todos
Noelia Roldan
My mom was an amazing and wonderful woman that was beatiful, wise, kind, patient, full of love and joy!
She definitely was the best mom anyone could dream of!
Every time I started thinking and speaking of her, my heart fills with love, I can’t avoid to smile, be grateful with God for such an honor an blessing and I can feel a tear coming out of my eyes, tears of love for how much I still love her, tears of gratitude for how much she gave me and tears for nostalgia because I miss her so much and still need her!
I learned so many things from her, and the way my sister Norma described her is so accurate, but even though I think we would needed at least one book to start sharing a little of that amazing woman we had as a mom!
Some days, like this I just feel like her life was too short but at the same time I feel like she gave it all!. I know for sure that her legacy will continue and all the seeds of love she planted in our hearts will became the most beautiful and fructiferous garden.
Thank you mamita for all the love, sacrifices and teachings that you gave us, but most of all for the amazing example you left and for your love and passion for God, that without a doubt, was the best heritage you could ever left us!
Marco Ibarra Amaya (Sonny)
Para ella el vivir era Cristo y el morir fue su mayor ganancia, anhelaba tanto estar al lado de su amado Jesús que no puedo evitar estar llorando mientras escribo estas palabras soy parte de esa gran extensión por la que por tantos años ella oro y oro y el no tenerle cerca no me gusta pero sé que su fe quedó arraigada a mí como un gran árbol de grandes raíces se sostiene de la tierra de eso que le da vida. Ella me enseñó siempre el camino de la verdad y de la vida y por siempre estaré agradecido con ella,mi abuela Elisa te ama tu nieto Sonny.
Hiram Higareda
My grandma was an inspiration , a source of spiritual wisdom, strength and of an unending joy that points us back to Jesus. Even though I was barely in my young childhood days when I got to be with her, I always remember her very sweet attitude in life! She saw me walk, talk and do many things for the first time. She was there praying for me when I got sick and she definitely cried out to God to give me His eternal salvation and His calling from an early age. I know that because her prayer was answered and since I was 10 years old I came to my faith in Christ and I experienced a deep relationship with God! As a 22 year old young man, I cannot be more sure of God’s faithfulness in my life and I know that she was the first in the family to surrender to God and for that , I am forever grateful. It takes a lot of faith, courage and perseverance to pray and impact generations after you and Abuelita Elisa definitely did that with her amazing relationship with Jesus while she was on earth ! Now she is enjoying the wonderful salvation that Jesus paid for us all in the cross and if anyone believes and confesses Jesus as their lord and savior , they could also start their journey with Father God!