Te Amo, Ama

Today, my last remaining great-grandparent died. To be honest, I don't even think I know her real name. We, my sister and I, always knew her as "Ama". It is what the whole family called her.

Ama was the mother of my grandmother, Mamo. She was born in rural, South Texas and never knew any English. Trips to see Ama were always accompanied by awkward translations and hugs as a kid. Her husband, Apa, died when I was in middle school. Both born in South Texas never knew English. I don't know who "came over" from Mexico (and neither does anyone in my family seem to know) but it never ceased to amaze me that you could never leave South Texas and never need to speak anything but Spanish.

As I have said before, family and heritage is a lot of the reason I am down here. Growing up visiting a relative who never understood me was not how I wanted it for the rest of my life. I am only sad I could not make it back in time to finally communicate with her at last. I know she is in a better place now and watching me with pride.