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Friday, March 12, 2010

Ready for Spring

 
2/18/10 
The view from the bathroom window at my parents' house in MD

My great-uncle, Sid passed last week.  My mother's uncle thru marriage.  He owned a somewhat infamous restaurant in Baltimore back in the 50's that was famous for their "4x4's" which was a delicious (I'm told) 4x4 hamburger, served in a basket with the most mouthwatering french fries and onion rings (I'm sure my father isn't romanticizing them;).  He adored his wife, my aunt Barbara, for ages.  When she passed several years ago, he kept on.  Enjoying his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  He was very blessed, very loved and passed away with all of them by his side.

Earlier today, Nestor and I made our way up to Lincoln Hospital to visit Nestor's aunt/godmother, Titi Luz.  She was on a respirator, being fed thru a tube and unconcious.  Her body was swollen and cool to the touch.  The doctor came to speak to us and told us that the prognosis isn't good, she's having organ failure and they don't expect Titi Luz to make it out of there.  We held her hand for awhile, said our goodbyes and came home to get Amelia off the school bus.  Nestor's sister, Evelyn just called to tell us that Titi Luz has passed.  There is sadness and relief in this for us.   She was Nestor's father's sister -- the last surviving of the siblings.  Amelia is named for her mother and I think she always felt an extra affinity towards her because of that. Titi Luz was married to uncle Angelo, who passed several years ago, for decades.  They never had any children together, but she had a stepson from uncle Angelo.  

I feel very fortunate to have gotten to spend time with this warm, loving, generous, strong woman who was a force to be reckoned with!  She was about 6 feet tall, legally blind and LOVED to talk!!! Wow, did she love to talk!!!!!!  Spanish. English. Whatever!  She lived in the Bronx and couldn't be moved.  Refused!  She lived alone and had attendants who came by daily to help her.  A couple months ago, just after the holidays, we made the trek up to Titi Luz's apartment. On a rainy Sunday, Nestor, Evelyn, Carlo (Evelyn's husband), Amelia and myself all went up there.  Evelyn and Carlo brought the divine food (as always!!!) and we brought the sugar (that would be Amelia) for a visit.  We sat around for a few hours and gabbed the afternoon away.  Titi Luz loved listening to Amelia laugh while she watched her cartoons.



 As we bid adieu to winter this weekend (don't forget to spring forward sunday -- this announcement brought to you by my inner "father" voice)  Amelia continues into her 5th week of antibiotics, per her Pulminologist.  She was worse, then better, worse and now getting better again.  They don't want to pull her off until she stops coughing up the green goo.  I agree.  No fevers tho, so that's a great thing!

Amelia has been very verbal lately and will make sound at anyone who dares to hold a conversation in or around where she is sitting -- particularly if it's me getting on the phone.  I refuse to succumb to her dictatorship...she tells me when to wake up, what cartoon is acceptable and now this????  Uh-uh...no Ma'am.

Obviously, as I mentioned above that Nestor and I went to visit his aunt, Nestor is home from LA.  After a month away -- he finally came home on Wednesday.  He always comes home eventually.  Only to get a call last night (Thursday) that he is flying out on Sunday, for a week and a half to Miami.  Oh well.  Tonight we're having a date night, tomorrow to see his mom and family in NJ and then off he goes!!!!  Ah well, that's show biz.

4 comments:

Karen Baitch Rosenberg said...

I know that view from your window!!Heartfelt post. Sorry for your loss - sounds like Amelia has inherited some of Titi's spunk! Warm thoughts your way, K.

Unknown said...

Deb--I'm sorry about your family members. Glad you got to spend time with them.

~jamie

Anonymous said...

Beautiful words & pics. I was very touched, probably especially since I just lit a yahrzeit light for my Dad. I, also, know how difficult it must be with Nestor's coming and going. We'll talk to you tomorrow to see how you gals are doing.
XOX-Mom

Unknown said...

*Smile*...beautiful post, beautiful pictures. You are alive, not many people realize what that means...keep goin' girl..Date night is a beautiful thing:-D