evagabourel

September 9, 2016

17^th Anniversary of your death

Oneida Angelica August Gabourel

I stumbled upon “In the Garden” by Jim Reeves last week and my eyes welled up with unbidden tears, because it instantly made me remember you and how you’d listen to gospel music on Sundays.  Jim Reeves was one of your favorite singers.

And that’s how it always is…you live on in my heart and in my memories.  I don’t have to force myself to think of you, to remember you, or to miss you because you are a part of me and so many things, people and places in my life remind me of you.  I see you in a stranger’s kind eyes, in the warmth of a genuine smile, in the beauty of nature, in someone who resembles you in some way or another, in the words of a scripture passage…I hear you in the song of birds welcoming the morning, in the verses of your favorite songs, on the lips of those who still remember you and miss you, and in the voice in my head guiding me when there are important life decisions to be made.

I remember your laughter, your smile, your look of love and your hugs.  I remember your beef soup and your stewed chicken and your Christmas bollos.  I remember watching you pin clothes on the line, I remember watching you write down each night in your big red book what number played in Boledo. I remember you with your curly hair wrapped up in a towel straight out of the shower. I remember you teaching Ger and me how to help Grandpa Vir wash his seaweed and haps bottles.  I also remember your exclamation of “que me lleva el tren” when Ger and I were fussing and fighting over nothing or when Edward was being “Bad-ward”.

Mother, I don’t know if I’ll ever know a love greater than yours.  There was nothing you wouldn’t do for me, or for any of your children.  I remember all the sacrifices you made for us and I remember how you always wanted the best for us.  All through my primary school education you were my number one fan and you were always there beside me studying for exams and helping me with homework or practicing for spelling bees.  You told me from an early age that I was smart and that you wanted the world for me.  You always let me believe that I could be anything I wanted to be and you made sure I valued my education.  Your greatest wish was to see me graduate as the Valedictorian of Sacred Heart College and even though you did not get to see it, I did it.

You taught me love, you taught me to appreciate the little things and the big things, you taught me kindness and gratitude, you taught me confidence and humility, and most importantly you taught me about God and faith.   In only 15 years, you were able to teach me all the things that would be most important in helping me to be the woman that I am.  Everything I am I owe to you dear mother.   I hope I make you proud.  I love and miss you always.