Julia's Photo Blog

On flickr.com, my most viewed photo is this one of my grandmother taken in August of 2005.  It comes up on search engines and is linked to by unjobs.org in reference to work in the town of Zacoalco de Torres, Jalisco, Mexico.   It makes me happy when I look at it and I think this is how I will always remember her.

Yes, just three and a half months after writing about my grandfather’s death, there is another one to reflect on. Maria de Jesús Gutierrez de Rodríguez was born on August 21, 1916 and passed away early the morning of May 13, 2010.  There are no words to describe my feelings at this moment.  All I can do is remember her spirit, her singing and her terrific belly laugh.  She was kind and sweet like a grandmother should be and also strong and brave like every person aspires to be.  She went through  a lot with her husband and her family of 10 children, two of which she had to grieve in recent years.  There are too many stories.  There are too many adventures.  There are too many sweet memories of her to be sad.  I am here because of her and I am thankful.

A few weeks ago, we were asked to share in class something which represents our culture, i.e. who we are. This was the one thing that came to mind:

Photo courtesy of Hillary Rosa

Te quiero mucho, Mamá Chuy.

Que descanse en paz.

A year ago I posted about the joyous celebration of my grandfather’s 100th birthday. Today, this photograph is my reminder of that wonderful time with him and much of my extended family.

Abraham Rodríguez passed away early this morning, two months shy of his next birthday. He lived and loved a long and eventful life–the kind many people only write stories about. He fought in wars, worked as a jailer, served as mayor, fathered many and gained the respect and admiration of even more. For me, he was a man of strength, honor and good-heartedness. I think of him today with awe and with pride.

En paz descanses, Papá Abraham.