With Mother’s Day just behind us (although moms will always
be MOM), I find myself reflecting on my childhood and thinking about my mom and
dad, both long gone, my Grandma, my aunts and uncles (most also gone) and even
a few cousins, all younger than me. So many losses and I miss them all, but so
many wonderful memories for me to hold on to.
When I was just five years old my paternal grandfather passed
away. I remember being horrified at my dad’s tears and pain and I told my
father that I never wanted to grow up. He asked me why and I told him, in my
child’s frame of mind, that growing up meant that you lose people you love. I remember
how he chuckled and hugged me; he told me that it could happen that way and
that some order of loss was natural such as a child burying a parent.
He admitted that he was sad, but that growing up for him had
meant finding his love, my mom, and having my sister and me. Daddy told me how
happy he was with his life even though he had tears along the way. Although I
was still frightened, my dad’s words helped me cope with the loss of my
grandfather. Eighteen years later I sat at my father’s funeral and heard his
words in my mind; once again he helped me cope. That year started a whirlwind
of loss, eighteen days later my father-in-law passed away — in less than five
years we buried both fathers and both mothers. Despite my father’s wise words,
I wanted to go back to playing Peter Pan who never wanted to grow up.
Today, while I admit to thoughts about people I’ve loved and
lost, I enjoyed a wonderful Mother’s Day. Because my loving husband is “under
the weather” with a bad head cold we decided to have a family brunch right
here. Our two children and their respective spouses (or as I prefer to say, my
FOUR kids), my husband and I sat at the dining room table and enjoyed a simple
but indulgent feast. While filling our plates and stuffing our mouths, there
was laughter and joy. There were flowers and cards and smiles and warmth. My
heart was so full with all of the riches of my life. The pangs of loss never go
away, it never really gets better, but my dad was right. I grew up and have had
so many wonderful things come in to my life.
My husband and I are married forty years this coming
December; our daughter and her husband just celebrated their eighth
anniversary; and our son and his bride just tied the knot last December after a
lengthy courtship. I wish our parents were here to see their grandchildren and
the wonderful people that they are, but I am sure they are looking in from
heaven. My daughter is named for my mother and my son for my dad and
mother-in-law and so often they remind me how appropriate the namesakes are. In
the meanwhile I am celebrating my life and the memories we are making together,
memories that will live on for generation, memories that will one day be the .stories
told by my children and G-d willing my grandchildren… and maybe even beyond.
Life is good.
Many of my stories center around family dynamics, good and bad. Sometimes that's a challenge for me since many of my memories are on the positive side, but I do love writing about a "good" villain, lol.
Summertime reading is just around the corner, please check out my books, I am sure you can even find a few you can relate to...
http://chellecordero.com/
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