The Anatomy of Love

     Love...a short but powerful word. This word takes different meanings depending on who is defining it. We all have love stories to tell.  Love has so many faces, shapes, colors, ways of expression. I have love so much, and one of the greatest love of my life is my beautiful grandmother. She stole my heart before I knew, it could be stolen.  I call her mami, but she is also known as mama Milla or simply mama. I will describe the anatomy of my love towards her. I am very lucky to still have her in my life. What a blessing it is for my kids to have known and still enjoy their great-grandmother.

    During her last visit,  I was driving home to see her since she arrived from Puerto Rico the day before. As I entered my neighborhood my heart started to beat faster. I was excited. I had butterflies in my stomach, and I was tearful just with the thought that I was going to see that woman that had given me so much love since I remember. It felt like I was going to meet my first love. I finally saw her...for the first time with white hair. How beautiful! She really looked like a grandma.
 
    Let me tell you a little bit about my grandma... I always called her mami because she didn't want to be called grandma. She was very young (around 30 years old) when I was born. I was the first grandchild. I grew up in the house next to hers, so I was always a few feet away. When I think of her the first word that comes to my mind in strength. What a remarkable woman she's been. A true example for me and who ever is around her. She was never afraid to speak up her mind, but now she picks her battles. I guess she got wiser over the years. Her gait is now slower and her balance is not as steady, but she looked more beautiful than the last time I saw her. When she hugged me, I felt like we were the only ones in the world... I felt like coming home.

   She always taught me things. I remember when I was a teenager she used to tell me all the time "make sure you go to school, so you don't have to depend on a man". Back then I had no idea what was she talking about, but I am glad I listened since in many occasions I had to depend on myself.  Another of her teachings was, "never judge someone else's children, because some day you will have your own". That is so true. It feels so bad when someone judges your children that you don't want any other mother to experience that kind of pain. I remember after I divorced (the second time) she said to me, and I was so worry about what others will think that she said  to me "live your life the way you want to live it". That was one of the best advice I have ever received.

   She is so imperfectly perfect. I see so much of her in me. She always trusted and believed in me. She had no doubt that I could do well. Because of that I tried hard and harder. I didn't want to disappoint her. Like the proverb says, " she created movement by being still..." 

   I cannot paint a picture of my grandma because I don't have the ability to so do so, but I could write about her. There are not enough words in the world to describe her but I will say that she is honest; kind; strong; will support you even when she disagrees; defends her family with the courage of a hunting lioness; she is loving like bottomless pit; she is above the influence...she is one of a kind.