Another day to rise with you

Another day to see you through

To care for you and be by your side

Until in heaven you abide

But until that day I pray I can be

A comforting presence on this journey

To kiss you, to hug you, to hold your hand

And help you move when you can no longer stand

To be a gentle voice to read and sing to you

Scriptures and songs to strengthen and renew

I’m so grateful for these years we’ve shared

Reminiscing of how throughout your life you’ve cared

You’ve taught me so much about life and perspective

And how we must always be reflective

Of the love of Christ instilled within us

To be a gift to all… to love, forgive, and be generous

You’ve been a living testimony of this

Despite lifelong suffering, love was never amiss

Even in cooking love was always the key

“Love is the secret ingredient” you’d say to me

You took care of me when I was a baby

When mom needed surgery and couldn’t care for me

And maybe that’s why we have this special connection

Because from birth till now we’ve shared that deep affection

And when abuelo died I couldn’t leave you alone

I had to come help you through, making this my second home

My plans to be a travel nurse I immediately put on hold

Our whole world changed with his death, in many ways untold

But my decision to stay is one I’ll never regret

Because we’ve filled the last 9 years with priceless memories I won’t forget

Like our night time snacks over games of rummy

And long conversations with just you and me

And our trips to Puerto Rico to visit family

There was always so much love and laughter shared abundantly

I treasure seeing you with your sister dancing while embraced

And always shedding tears of joy each time you were face to face

Or the day we walked the streets of Viejo San Juan

And you showed us the plaza where you encountered love’s dawn

Where you held hands through the bus window, abuelo in the street

He refused to let you go until you set a place to meet

Your love and your life was like a fairy tale

No matter the hardship, love would always prevail

I also think of the nights that we’d lie awake

And in memories of your life I would partake

Stories of el campo and your childhood

Stories of a servant girl who worked before she should

You were schooled only until the age of eight

But life was your teacher and your wisdom is great

You adored your mother above all

You worked for pennies to give her joy- no matter how small

A little money for tobacco, just to see your mom smile

Those moments of joy made it all worthwhile

Stories of a child by the river or in a tree

Making the best of life despite their poverty

You told me of the shoemaker who gifted you your first shoes

He made them a little big just to give you extra use

And of the theatre man who’d leave the front window ajar

So while movies played inside, you could watch them from afar

I cherish all these moments though they can no longer be

For each day that passes you have less memory

Now you spend most of your time moaning or asleep

A time of sacred preparation for your “final leap”

Your earthly journey nears its end

And I hate to lose you, my grandma and friend

But I must admit that some days I pray

Begging God to hurry and take you away

Because to see you suffer is torture to me

I just want to know you’re finally pain free

Years ago you asked me to forgive you if you die

And to this request I cried in reply

I want you to rest in peace

In sleeping or in dying may your suffering cease

I love you enough to let you go

Mi abuelita linda, I want you to know

You’re the greatest treasure I’ve ever had

And parting with you makes my heart so sad

But there’s joy in knowing you’ll soon walk again

And be reunited with beloved departed family and friends

You’ll be together forever with the love of your life

Who for 52 years called you his wife

For this has been your desire for so long

And while I’ll miss you I know that life must go on

But I know you’ll watch over me from heaven above

And you’ll be my angel, always guiding me with love