This is to be the week that relatives are in my mind. Got a call from my cousin yesterday, she and her sister are planning a birthday party for my uncle Ruben. He will be 80 years old in August. Two years ago the lot of us Rivera s ( my mom’s family name) were in Chicago for Titi Cheya’s 90 birthday. Now it’s Tio Ruben’s turn to be surprised. Family from all over the US & P.R. will be coming, there are a lot of us. My grand father had 4 daughters and 5 sons so there are a lot of cousins.
This now has me thinking of my mom’s sister Ana. She was a school teacher and librarian in our home town school. I would stay with her when I visited Naranjito. All my boys met her and loved her. She was the “wacky” sister. Not really, its just she took life light heartedly. She laughed often and loudly, but when you needed advice on ANYTHING she was the one to go to. Down to earth and sensible, even wise.
When she was ill we were lucky enough to visit her while she was still home and up and about. It was tough when she died and that visit to my home town was the saddest I’ve ever taken. Haven’t been back since. I miss you Titi Ana