Te Quiero, Yaya · 8:19am Mar 20th, 2023
Today at roughly 8am I got a call from my father. I've been up studying since 5:30am, so I didn't immediately react to it, I just picked up the phone and went "yeah? Hi, dad, what's up?"
He then told me my grandmother had passed away. Her condition had been getting worse lately, turns out, but they kept it from me. They didn't want to worry me and distract me from my studies, which I think is sweet.
No sense in keeping it a secret now, though.
I am private when it comes to certain things, and I don't like talking about my family, but there's a reason why I'm talking in here about my grandma. She was a good woman -- she turned one hundred years old this february, too! So she had a long life, we can take respite in that -- and she had character. Part of my humor, I take from her.
Her given name, she didn't like. She was named Andresa, after an older brother of hers who died before she was born, whose name was Andrés. Andresa was, nominally, the feminine form of Andrés... except it isn't. The feminine of Andrés is Andrea. Great-grandpa fucked up the naming convention and just made up a name that doesn't goddamn exist. If it exists, it's rare as hell. So she didn't like it, or at least she joked she didn't.
But her first surname was Ara. That one she didn't mind. And when she got a bit older and I had to go visit her at the nursing home, she sometimes would ask me about my life and my hobbies. And I would tell her, you know? I write a lot, and I have a lot of readers. And you know what they call me? They call me 'Ara'. That's my nom de plume.
And she would smile, and get real happy for a moment, real elated at that little homage. Her memory failed a bit as the years went by, so I got to tell her often, and she got to be happy every time.
It feels only fitting to give her a little recognition in here, then. The name Ara, I take from her. You can call me that any time you like.
I'll miss you, yaya.
Thank you for sharing her with us. Rest in power, Ara!
Reads like a good reason to call up your own family, and cherish those who are close to you.
Thanks for sharing.
My sincerest condolences.
Hope she had a good life.
My great grandmother also did not like her first name.
She always went by her middle name “Myrtle”. As in, Myrtle the Turtle. It was even written on the patient board at the hospital. Passed away many years ago after a good life.
Rest In Peace to both.
One hundred years is a great age. And that was a great story to share. Having lost my grandad at age 92 two months ago, this did hit me, for both the sad and the bittersweet reasons. And she sound pretty amazing, sharp and full of life and wit. I can tell she really had a great impact on you.
And the name/nickname story has me smiling. Reminds me of a lady I got private art lessons off of (mostly life drawing), before college, when I wanted to go into animation. Her name was Dara, and she said it was because her folks had been so set on having a boy after several daughters, that when she turned out to be a girl, they stuck with that name. Now, Dara can be a girl’s name, so they didn’t put a flag on her or anything – it’s just a boy’s name far more often, least here. So, that was quite the memory to be reminded of this morning!
oh my god, what a wonderful connection to have with someone though ;_;
My condolences. She sounds awesome.
I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm glad you've so many lovely memories of her.
I'm a bit odd, but I would like to share something that I believe in. My belief is that if someone has lived to 100, they beat the game of life! That is a life to celebrate! They have received 100% completion and gotten the Platinum Trophy (I'm a gamer, what can I say).
I'm very happy that us following your writing and your nom-de-plume gave her joy every time you told her about it, and I'm grateful that you shared her with us.
Tonight I shall read your writings again and raise a glass in her honor!
To Ara!
Condolences on her passing. It was a sweet story you shared. Thank you for that.
I'm sorry for your loss. May she rest in peace.
Condolences to you, my friend, and a salute to Ara.
Condolences to you and your family.
My condolences. May her memory be a blessing.
I'm sorry for your loss.
I'm so sorry for your loss. It seems like she was quite a wonderful person.
My condolences.
My condolences.
That was a beautiful story. I'm sorry that happened and hope you're doing ok.
Condolences, my grandma just passed a couple weeks ago. It's been hard for grandpa, they had celebrated their 70th anniversary in October. It's still hard to believe but we knew it was coming. I find it nice they let you study till the time was right. I hope she's at peace.
You were the best grandson imaginable to her right up til the very end and I'm glad you had each other for so long.
Your story made me reflect on the women in my own family. Like the ones in yours, they're all tough as nails and I'm really grateful for that.
Siento mucho tu perdida, Aragon. Perdon por no escribir antes, pero espero sepas que mis pensamientos estan contigo. Si quieres platicar, sabes donde encontrarme. Un abrazo.
My condolences to you and your family at this difficult time.
It's wonderful you'll always have that little reminder, that connection, with your and your grandma, she sounds lovely even with the little we learn and I'm so sorry for your loss, Ara.
Glad you had as much time as you did with her as you did, even if it doesn't seem like enough.