Amelia M. Garcia: 1907 - 2004

I miss my grandmother. It has been over 5 years since she passed away. Mom reminded me that Grandmama was a writer, and that any ability I have I inherited from her. What would she think of this blog? I want to post the tribute I drafted the evening after she died and recited at her funeral Mass; this is how I will always remember Grandmama:

Grandmama lived with us my entire life; virtually all of my childhood memories include her. I realize now the many moments I took for granted. I cherish her wisdom and all the lessons she taught me. I recall her soft-spoken words, her gentle demeanor, her cheerfulness, her poise, her selflessness, her even-temperament and her patience. She maintained a passion for reading, shelves bursting with Robert Ludlum novels. Grandma was also a prolific writer, corresponding weekly with my Tia Angelina in Laredo.

Today, I can vividly picture us feeding the ducks at Lake Jackson Farms, with the crusts saved from loaves of Mrs. Bairds' bread. The 1974 Plymouth Volare took me to ballet, twirling, band, piano and school. Grandma outlasted the Volare, which she drove well into her eighties.

Grandmama sewed every one of her delightful dresses and constantly had a needlepoint project and the daily crossword puzzle by her side. She enjoyed biscuits for breakfast, coffee-talk with Mrs. Lopez, pan dulce for merienda, cheese enchiladas and Arroz con Leche. Lillian Vernon was Grandma's favorite catalog; how thrilled she would be that mail-ordering is now a national pastime. Each day, I passed through her open door, greeted by the sweet smells of Estee Lauder. We sat. We talked. Grandma was the consummate listener.

Grandma was pure in faith and honesty (granted, she did have a perpetual habit of snatching our socks and gloves in the winter!) To her, we owe the Garcia penchant for good-hearted sarcasm - her charming wit endured until the end. Everyone shared in her generous hugs, kisses, smile, laugh, warm hands and heart, compassion, encouraging words and her unwavering love for her family and friends.

I could go on, but all of you who had the honor of knowing my Grandmother can easily fill in the blanks. The world will never again taste the grandest flour tortillas ever made, but we are lucky to have our blessed memories of a beautiful Grandma, inside and out.

I can only hope to live my life as well as she lived hers. When presented the task of picking a baby girl's name in 1999, with proud hearts, Jeff and I chose Katherine Amelia Christman. Grandmama, we love you, miss you and God bless you.