Many moons ago on the island of Puerto Rico a young country girl dreamed of owning a large hillside house with rolling fields, grazing sheep, and blooming flowers. She wanted a home and a pet pig and a garden and children. But as each moon set, the young girl grew older and the dreams drifted further and further from her country reality.
The young girl became a young woman who had new dreams of a life in the Land of Opportunity. Rolling fields, grazing sheep, and blooming flowers were replaced with sweatshop labor, a cramped New York apartment and a man who wooed her with a diamond ring. Flor Maria left Puerto Rico in search of a new life for herself, but ended up meeting her match and dreaming new dreams, not just for herself, but for her children and her children's children.
Why she left paradise is still a mystery. Fruit grew on trees, food was always on the table, and life was beautifully simple. She left her Eden only to learn a new language, live life as an outsider, and sacrifice her life so her children could have what she never could: hope. Hope for a hillside house with rolling fields, grazing sheep, and blooming flowers. And yes, a home, pet pig, garden, and children.
On a boriquena hillside her children and her children's children honor her legacy of life and celebrate the sacrifice she made so we could know the language, live as an insider, and not have to sacrifice what she did: her life. In true sacrificial form, she, like Jesus, gave what she didn't have to give so others may reap the benefit of her sacrifice.
Today we finally bury my grandmother in paradise, near her hillside home where sheep graze, flowers bloom, and hope remains in the hearts of her children's children.
To everything
Turn, turn, turn
There is a season
Turn, turn, turn
And a time to every purpose
Under Heaven
A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep
To everything
Turn, turn, turn
There is a season
Turn, turn, turn
And a time to every purpose
Under Heaven
(Solomon, Ecclecsiates 3:1-8 and Pete Seeger, 1962)
15 comments:
Oh, B, my heart is full of joy that you all are on vacation, getting some much needed R&R, and spending quality time together... but I'm so sorry that this wasn't the main reason why you guys are in PR. Your mom asked me to pray for her and let her know that I have been, for all of you! Love you guys and am thinking about you!
So sorry for your loss B! So glad that you are all together to celebrate her life.
So beautiful.
Oh Bianca,like Renay said, i thought you were there for pleasure, i am really sorry for your lost, but i know that she is with our lord now having a heart to heart conversation with him. imagine being able to be with GOD at this very moment. amazing isn't it?
When my grandfather passed, my family of 8 rented an RV and travelled to Arlington National Cemetary to bury his remains. It was one of our most favorite family vacations. Taking those trips and honoring their lives is such a wonderful way to lay them to rest and to celebrate them. Praying you guys create wonderful memories together.
wow. i had no idea. i am so sorry. but what an amazing tribute to her life. this one made me tear up a bit... what a true statement of the sacrifice so many people make. incredible.
I can relate all to well... I share your burden my dear friend... mourn with you... celebrate life with you... pray for you! 143
-j
WOW! God's work is surely amazing! I found myself wondering, just yesterday, about future events (ie. finding love, getting engaged/married etc) and when they might come to pass. I flipped open my bible and there it was... the answer to my thoughts/questions... Ecclecsiates 3. Coincidence? I think not:) How amazing to then read your blog post today.
Have a blessed day!
It was a beautiful picture I had in my mind as you so well described the young country girl. One day you should write a book, I'd buy it!! Enjoy your special time with as you remember your grand mother. :)
good post sister. I like the scripture and Pete Seeger at the end.
Awesome! You're in my prayers. I'm being selfish, you need to come home now. :)
that was so cool. enjoy this tilme and God Bless all of you :)
So sorry to hear this was the main reason for your trip, but I pray that you will be able to spend quality time with your family and create some great memories together and just enjoy being with each other.
Sniffle, sniffle.
Our lives are somehow parallel as yesterday (August 13) was my Grandmother's 13th death anniversary. Here's what she left behind for us:
Por favor no se lamenten, no lloren ya que yo no les he abandonado.
Llega un tiempo en la vida cuando todos fallecemos.
Como las rosas dejan sus petalos caer al acercarse el Otoño, y como los árboles se deshacen de sus hojas al aproximarse el Invierno,
Asi los seres humanos se despojan de su forma humana
para poder ascender al lugar mas bello mas alla del sol.
No se pongan tristes por mi, sino contentos,
porque estoy en un lugar de fiestas perpetuas y soy muy feliz.
Necesitan continuar con sus vidas. No necesito ayuda.
Nunca les dejare, ni les olvidare
porque dentro de sus mentes y corazónes viviré.
Y cada vez que eleven la mirada al cielo, piensen en mí como el astro mas brillante que ilumina la noche para decirles que les estoy cuidando
y que un día, como solia hacer, les reuniré a todos allí en el cielo.
No me olividen, y recuerden todo lo que compartimos y hemos sido el uno para el otro.
Piensen en los buenos tiempos que pasamos y los momentos preciosos que disfrutamos.
Y asi como en la vida hemos distrutado tantas cosas, algún día estaremos reunidos toda la familia
en ese día de bienvenida en el cielo.
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