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…
-“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…
· Follow us on Twitter … @RJAsPandora
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