Happy 80th Birthday, Grandma

the back of this picture of my grandparents says "June 1962"

If she were still with us this is how old my grandma, Margarita Zapata, would have been.
My grandma only spoke Spanish. She never drove a car her entire life. She was a devoted wife and mother and my mommy and I are the only ones in our family that have her pale complexion.
My favorite memories of my grandma include me trying to make her laugh the only way I could: by saying the word "fart" in Spanish. I know that sounds silly, but I couldn't make complete sentences in Spanish and I loved hearing her laugh.  I only knew 'Spanglish' (combo of English & Spanish) and of course, I only knew the naughty/silly words. I could also tell her that my brother or sister peed their pants (it wasn't true) just to get her laughing. She was easily amused - I know where I get it from. :)

1984 - when my grandpa had us all do a spontaneous road trip to several states
me, Mommy, Grandma

My grandma passed away when I was 15 so I remember her very well. I'll never forget how she waited on the front porch, just about everyday, for me and my siblings to get home from school when we were youngsters. I miss seeing her there when we visit the old house in Poteet. (That's where my uncle and his family + my grandpa still live).

Mikey and I try and remember to visit my grandma's resting place each time we're in Texas. We saw her again this last trip and I had a wonderful, long conversation with her. I asked Mikey to take a few pictures, and then I asked him if he thought that was morbid. I could see how some might think so, but Mikey confirmed what I already felt. 

When I go home to see my family, I take lots of pictures, because I don't get to see them as often as I'd like. And I want to remember the moments. For me, this is the same with visiting my grandma. I know she's not physically here anymore, but that doesn't mean I don't feel her presence. I'm keeping her alive in my life still. So when I see the pictures that Mikey took of this visit with her, I remember what I had to say to her, as far as updating my life, and the happy tears I always shed when telling her of how happy she'd be for our growing family. 

This particular picture I really love, because of the way the sun is shining almost through me, if that makes sense. I know that it wouldn't really mean anything any other time, but because of where I was and the moment I was having, I feel like it does mean something very special. 

I hope everything I said makes sense. We are taking our friend Purdie out to eat right now, but I really wanted to do a little post for my beloved grandma. I love you, grandma.

Love,

Roni