Monday, June 25, 2018

Doña América and other memories.


I know she has already been mentioned somewhen along this line of sometimes unhinged memories as they relate to moments of my life, but yesterday she came up again in conversation. Why? I don’t really know… all I remember is that, suddenly, there she was… in my mind almost like in the flesh.

All 5 feet 3-4 inches of her immense presence; in her starched white blouse and long skirt. Her round -appropriately named- granny glasses framing eyes which, after almost seven decades lived, were still shining in anticipation of things to come, knowledge to pass on, dreams to live and make into a reality. A mind which had learned to live every minute, every moment of a well spent life. Even those moments which to some of us lesser mortals might consider very difficult or to be of little or no relevance.

She was a family friend and my first and only childhood English tutor. In other writings, her English skills and ability to pass them on were highlighted. But, what is it that brought her to my mind yesterday?

Doña América had completed her university years, something of an anomaly for a woman born in the late 1800’s… in a country where our heritage from Spain said there was no need for women to study. That was best left to men. She had never married, to my knowledge. Another anomaly for a time during which women were required to be married to be considered “respectable”. She was also openminded and had travelled extensively.

In fact, now that I think about it, Doña América was a veritable compendium of anomalies for her time and place. And this was the person to whom I was entrusted for an important part of my learning. This, in of itself, probably says a lot about the open-mindedness of my grandfather, who chose her as a friend and as a teacher for me.

I remember her as a chatty, but strict teacher. The most important priority was for me to, while we talked about many issues, get all those tenses in order and in good stead. She was always talking about all the things she still wanted to do in her lifetime and how being of what was then considered an advanced age (she was around 65 or so), contrary to what many believed, only helped you understand and appreciate everything “just a little bit better”.

Her outlook was simple: life is to be lived, not suffered. She had plans to travel back to Europe and maybe a couple of countries in Asia; countries which, much later in my life, I would have the chance to visit and remember her while there.

At one time, she took up the violin, not an easy instrument to learn quietly. On early evenings while on my way to her second floor, open balconies flat for my English classes, the noise produced by this endeavor, akin to several cats having a go at a great fight, would find its way onto the streets below and into the homes of her several neighbors who, even though they loved her, couldn’t stand the noise.

-“Hurry up Rafaelito” they would say one , two, or several at a time.
-“Please hurry up to your classes so we can have some peace around here”.  And they would all look with that resigned look on their faces which translated to …. We love her to death, but….

So yes, yesterday I remembered Doña América. Or rather, she came to me unbidden. Someone actually said to me “You know, at your age you should perhaps relax a little and take it easy”. She came roaring into the forefront of my mind with a stern, but loving look that said it all…

"Rafaelito" said her ethereal voice to my mind...
-“Don’t you dare take it easy… remember that life is to be lived fully, not just suffered” -“to the last day you have available, live it!!“ her voice rang loudly.

Yes, she was an anomaly for her day… and I am ever so grateful for having had her in my life.

Be Well … Be Back!!!
Final Notes:
·       Pray for those who are fighting an illness which may take them away from their loved ones…
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·       Any comments please send to rjalcazar@gmail.com

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