My aunt Gloria, or Tia Gloria as I called her (Tia is aunt in Spanish), passed away Monday at her home. She was my mom’s older sister and only sibling living in the states. Mom is doing okay at the moment, but I know this is really hard on her; they were very close.
The two of them were so alike, yet so different. They were kind of the antithesis of each other; a yin and a yang, carefully placed on Earth by God to provide balance. They both have been loving moms who share similar family values and have raised multiple kids and spoiled numerous grandchildren. However, Mom has always been the careful one who worries about absolutely EVERYTHING and is easily embarrassed. Tia Gloria, on the other hand, loved to play pranks and was more of a risk taker.
(Left) Tia Gloria; (Right) Mom -- Cuba Circa 1950's
Not to mention she could cook some mean cuban food. Mom can cook, but even she had proclaimed Tia Gloria’s cooking superior to hers. “I don’t understand what she does to make the food taste so good” she’s said many times.
As kids, she would take me and my cousins to the park to play, followed by trips to Burger King. When I turned 15 and obtained my driving learner’s permit, she was the only other person, aside from my father, who let me drive their vehicle. I never once even asked. She simply would give me her keys and have me chauffeur her and mom around town.
One of my most endearing memories of Tia was the time she gave me a pair of nice jeans for my birthday. About a week later I wore them for the first time and felt something strange in one of the front pockets. I reached in and pulled out a small plastic toy lizard. I thought for a moment, reached into the other pocket and sure enough, pulled out a second plastic toy lizard. What in the world? I later asked my mom about it and she absolutely cracks up. Apparently, Tia Gloria thought it would be fun to see if she could startle me. What has always made me smile about this story is the fact that I was in my twenties when she did this. Age was not a limiting factor in her rulebook.
I regret not spending more time with her these past few years. Due to the rush of everyday life, our conversations were short and much too far and few between. I always sent her flowers and gave her a call on her birthday… something I completely missed this past year. …and it hurts.
Tia Gloria, thanks for being the best aunt ever and for watching over my mom all these years. You were like a second mother to me and I’m really going to miss you. Love you always.
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