In Memoriam

Over the last few months, Chris and I have experienced the loss of two grandparents.  In May,  Chris' paternal grandmother, Grandma Cuca, passed away.  The week prior to her death, Grandma Cuca traveled to Chihuahua on her own.  A few days later, she suffered a heart attack from which she was unable to recover.  To say that the sudden turn of events was a shock would be an understatement.

When Chris learned that Grandma Cuca was not expected to recover, he caught the first flight to El Paso.  I mean that literally.  I came home from work to see Chris walking out the front door with a backpack.  Chris asked me to drive him to the airport, where he bought a ticket at the ticket counter and then boarded a plane 45 minutes later.  Praise God that Chris and I were able to afford a last minute plane ticket because Chris was able to spend some valuable time with Grandma Cuca while she was still alert, just days before she passed.

Grandma Cuca at my wedding.

Grandma Cuca was a very special person.  Although she lived by herself, people were constantly visiting her.  She was funny and mischievous.  While in law school, I flew to El Paso by myself for a job interview.  I stayed with Grandma Cuca.  She cooked for me, sent food home with me, and even volunteered my services to drive a neighbor to the pharmacy.

Here is a video Chris and his relatives made several years ago for a surprise birthday party for Grandma Cuca, which will show you just how much she was loved.

This past week, my paternal grandfather passed away.  Grandpa's health had been declining for a while.  Last fall, I told Chris that I wanted to help fly my grandparents down for Christmas because I suspected that Grandpa may not be able to travel long distances much longer.  Two months later, my grandparents were at our home for several days over Christmas.  Praise God for impressing on me the need to make a special effort to spend Christmas with Grandpa.

Grandpa was a tall man.  For as long as I can remember, he always wore black SAS shoes and a fanny pack.  More than once he explained to me that he prefers a fanny pack because it holds a lot, is easy to access, and protects his valuables from pick-pockets.  He had a coin purse that fanned open with one simple touch, which always amazed me a child.  When I was young and would hurt myself or get upset about something, he would always say, "It'll all be over before you get married."  Always.

Grandpa working in his office,
One of my favorite pictures of Grandpa.

Grandpa was infamous among my family for taking pictures, which was a tedious task at times.  Sometimes, when I have attempted to improve positioning, postures, or background while taking pictures with my siblings or other relatives in my dad's family, my family has jokingly cried, "Okay, Grandpa," or "Come on, Grandpa."  I consider these comments a compliment.

One of Grandpa's favorite pictures of the Texas cousins,
taken by none other than himself.

When I started college at UTA, a public university, Grandpa sent me a letter.  My grandparents have sent me hundreds of cards and postcards, but they are always in Grandma's handwriting.  Grandpa always received honorary mention at the end of these notes, which Grandma signed with the customary, "Love, Grandma and Grandpa."  The letter I received when I started college was in Grandpa's handwriting and was signed simply, "Grandpa."  This letter was from Grandpa.  In the letter, Grandpa warned me about dating non-Adventist boys.  He advised me not to date non-Adventist boys casually because what I might intend to be just one or two dates could easily turn into something much more serious.  I appreciated the letter but didn't give it much thought as I had no intention to get married anytime soon.  Little did I know that I would meet a very special young man while I was attending UTA and that what started as a simple friendship would be a marriage, a family, and a life ten years later.  Most find it ironic that out of the 30,000 students attending UTA, I found and married one of the few Adventist men on campus.  I know, however, that it was not irony.  It was God's answer to Grandpa's prayers for me to find the right partner.

Some of the memories I treasure most about Grandpa date to the summer of 2009, when I spent ten weeks interning in Seattle.  I spent a lot of time with my grandparents over that summer and came to know my grandparents in a way I never would have otherwise.  Grandpa drove me all over the Seattle area that summer, with Grandma and I as happy passengers.  Ever since that summer, I maintained a close relationship with my grandparents, calling them regularly.  At the conclusion of all of my conversations with Grandpa, he prayed with me.  The last time Grandpa spoke to me was right after he learned I am pregnant with what will be his second great grandchild.  He was unable to talk very long, but he made sure to pray for me and my baby.

Grandpa and I in Wenatchee, Washington; Summer 2009.

Last week I spoke to Grandpa for the last time and as hard as it was, it was an honor to pray for him.  Although I know Grandpa is now resting in Jesus, waiting for his beloved Savior to say, "Well done my good and faithful servant," it won't be easy to start receiving notes from Grandma, in Grandma's handwriting, signed simply, "Love, Grandma."  

Interestingly, my Grandpa knew Chris' Grandma Cuca long before Chris and I ever met.  My Grandpa worked for the Adventist church in El Paso many years ago, where Grandma Cuca lived.  During this time, Grandpa officiated over the wedding of one of Grandma Cuca's children, Chris' aunt Rosie and Uncle Tony.  Grandpa also worked with Grandma Cuca because she was the treasurer at her church.  Grandpa told me that Grandma Cuca was one of the best church treasurers he ever worked with.  Several years after my grandparents had left Texas, Chris and I happened to meet at UTA without any knowledge that our families already knew each other.  Some meetings are truly the work of God.