blogseennombre

[blogseennombre]

sunday june sixth

yesterday was grandma's 84th birthday. it was a sunny, warm day in san jose. me and daniel pulled up to her house to greet her, she was inside chatting with mi tia gille, grandma had on a big smile and a long, beautiful, marigold dress with floral patterns and tassels.

i had never seen her in such a beautiful dress before, she usually wears her uniform of capri pants and a blouse. she looked lighter, like she was floating from shedding off the burdens she was carrying. i think mi tia celia had something to do with it, since tia celia was also adorned in a gown.

mi tia lupilla rolled up a little later, in some big sunglasses and a emerald green suite. they all looked so fashionable, so confident, calm, contentas, absolutely beautiful. grandma usually hides in the corner at family gatherings to eat and listen to the chatter, and this time she joined us for a while outside on the patio. later in the afternoon i found her and her sisters inside on the couch, chatting away. i couldn't help but wonder what mi tia natalia would've worn and what chisme she would've had to share. she was missed.

grandpa's garden was looking really good, the passionfruit tree was popping off with flowers and fruit. mi tio beto has been doing a good job taking care of it.

while we miss him, it was a nice gathering. it felt really lighthearted, there were lots of laughs, and good conversation. it felt like the kick-off to summer, a new chapter, a new season.

i don't know how my grandma truly felt about things, but i know she was sad about my grandpa's passing. seeing her happy yesterday made me feel at ease, like she's doing ok and doing what she wants and is enjoying life. she is living her life. i know she talks to her sisters often, but having them there in person truly made a difference.