Yes, Life Is Good...

Carlina Clelia Pazmino
1918-2007

On Saturday, April 7th at 10:15pm, My Abuela Caky (grandma) went on to be with our Heavenly Father. She died of congestive heart failure. She had been in pain for quite some time and it hurt to see her suffering. She was 88 years old.

Abuela Caky was born in Ecuador on the 4th of November in 1918. At some point her family moved to Panama in Central America. She never really talked much about her life before she came to the United States. I think it was because it was too painful. She was the type of person that wouldn't dwell on the past. She always pressed on.

When she arrived here to the United States, she settled in Miami, Florida. She worked as a housekeeper/nanny/cook for a very wealthy family. She quickly learned English. As soon as she could, she brought my mom over. My mom was 17 at the time. They both worked hard. Not just for the K family, but in educating themselves.

Eventually Abuela learned enough to apply at a hospital. She got hired as a unit clerk. Which today they are called unit secretaries. She continued to work for the K family, even while she worked at the hospital. She was a hard worker. She had great work ethics. She was well loved by all who came in contact with her.

She was an incredible woman. She was a very private person. She didn't share much about her past. There was so much I wanted to know but she didn't open up that part of her heart. I do know that she worked hard. She put all her brother's through school. They all became professionals. She also managed to have her children attend private school.

Abuela had an unwavering faith in our Lord. First thing she did EVERY morning was pray. She prayed during the day, throughout her day and at night. She was so wise and loving. Always willing to lend a helping hand.

In 1987, Soaring Amongst The Clouds was born. That's my oldest daughter. Instead of calling my mom for advice, I always called Abuela. She always knew what to tell me... and guess what her advice ALWAYS worked. Ten months after our first one was born, Still Waters arrived. Yep, I had two under the age on 1! Eighteen months later Daughter of the King arrived. Yep, I had three under the age of 3! Abuela came to the rescue! She would come and stay with us months at a time. She was a godsend.

We loved having her with us. She was fun. She laughed a lot. She was a big lady with a big heart. Nobody could cook like her. To this day, my Knight says that no one can iron like she does, not even the cleaners.

Abuela was a simple lady. She didn't care about looks. It was all about comfort, neatness and being clean. She would wear her favorite cotton dresses even if they were a little faded, but they were always pressed and clean. Her whites always looked white, not gray or yellow.

Through the years she's given me great advice. But one stands out, it was when my girls we wee ones. It was in Spanish. "La casa, el carro, todo lo material, siempre estara aqui. El tiempo con tus hijos no. Disfrutalos, que el tiempo pasara. Todo lo que quedara es las memorias que tendran tus hijos con sus padres. Eso es lo importante. Eso no tiene precio. Los hijos son un regalo de Dios." It can't be translated word for word, but the thought is the same. "The house, the car, all material things will always be here. Time with your children is fleeting. Enjoy them, for time will pass by too quickly. All your children will have left are the memories you make with them. That's what important. The time together is priceless. Children are a precious gift from God."

That's the type of advice she would give me. She always had a saying for everything. I treasure my memories of her. Because of the way she influenced my life, I continue to strive to be the woman God wants me to be.

Thank you all who have encouraged me and are praying for us. We so appreciate your kind words, thoughts and prayers. My our Heavenly Father bless you tenfold.

For those of you who happen to come across my journal, please say a prayer for my family. We have hope and faith, but our heart aches.

Can my life be good, even when my heart is heavy? Yes it can. You see I have faith and hope that one day we will reunite again. She will be the same Abuela she had always been. Along with Jesus and my brother, she will welcome me into God's Kingdom with open arms. What a reunion that will be... Yes, Life Is Good.