For my paternal grandma’s 90th birthday (Feb 2007), I had the privilege of presenting a personal storybook paying tribute to my grandma and her family legacy. What started out as a simple gift from me and cousins, ended up to be a priceless gift of heritage and love filled with pictures and letters from her 9 children, 24 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Although grandma was physically frail and weak the day of her celebration, I remember that she was mentally sharp, fully alert and aware of her surroundings. Her burst of tears and consistent smiles convinced me that she understood every word and that she felt much loved.
For the first time, I felt a strong family unity that day and I am happy that a simple book could take us back to special moments in our lives and bring us closer together. Perhaps that was her sign from God letting her know that her time with us was coming to an end. I am sure she is resting in peace knowing that her children and grandchildren love one another and are there to comfort each other.
On December 10, 2007, my grandma passed away- two months shy of her 91st birthday. One of the hardest things I had to do, next to burying my daughters Alyssa in 2001 and Kaitlyn in 2002 giving my first eulogy at my grandma’s memorial service. I used my grandma’s tribute book as a visual tool for my eulogy and passed it around afterwards for all to see.
As you can imagine, this past holiday season was a difficult time for our family. Christmas was just not the same. However, I do find comfort knowing that she is with God and no longer in pain. I find peace knowing that she is once again reunited with Grandpa, the love of her life and the father of all her children.
Happy Birthday Grandma!
This is posted in loving memory of
Margarita J. Tanega
(February 22, 1917- December 10, 2007)
