She would jump up and dance to any music that moved her (sometimes on the coffee table while my dad played malagueña). Talk openly about her faith to anyone that would listen or not. Ask for the music to be changed if she thought it was horrible. Get mad if anyone called her anything other than Mexican. Yell our names across a store if she couldn’t find us! Tell the waiter she didn’t want ice in in her drink, after being served (every time ). Harass the guys that dated us until they proved their intentions! She was courageously open to life, accepting all 10 of us, saying we came with a taco under our arm. Even getting hauled off by police when she decided to pray for the poor mommas not wanting their babies at an abortion clinic!
My Dad met my mom in Mexico while learning Spanish. She was his teacher. Six months later they were married and he brought her back to the USA. they were married for 57 years. My dad was a top engineer for IBM. He said it stood for, I’ll Be Moved, had 10 of us in 4 different states. After raising all of us, my mom wanted to move back to Mexico.
It was much fun visiting them and enjoying the taco stand in front of their home and visiting Tequila town. They knew everyone on the block. They enjoyed the old latin Mass and helped begin a ministry there that supported the ancient right in Guadalajara and some towns in Mexico. It was there that they met Fr. Romo, a tall young priest at the time. He became like a son to them. He made it to Riggins Idaho to help celebrate their 50th then promised them that he would bury them with the sacred Latin right. My Dad passed away in 2021. My mom was never quite the same without him. Even though she had a strong character, he was her strength and she drew much energy from him. I saw her pretty face become wrinkly and dementia began to take over her mind. She still wanted to stay in her home but it became too dangerous as she began to become disoriented. Towards the end she was in constant search of her childhood home, Cuernavaca MX, where she said her mom and papa were waiting for her.
She was moved to a nursing home in CDA Idaho. She was not happy there but finally succumbed to the situation as she was lovingly visited by several of her children and grandchildren. She overcame death many times! We would all fly to be by her side, she’d get a second wind!
I planned to spend one last Thanksgiving with her but I think she finally figured out where her true home was and where her mom, Papa and her beloved Esposito where waiting for her. She slipped away peacefully on November 7th, 2024, after being blessed.
Fr. Romo, true to his word flew across the United States and we all lovingly sent her off with the old Latin rite and many prayers and tears. As I take the time to reflect upon my mom’s life I admire her staying true to her design. We all were created with our own unique designs. Stay true to yourself, have faith, be proud of where you came from, never apologize for who you are!
I already see some of my mom’s unapologetic ways in some of my children and grandchildren. Vaya con Dios, Mamacita, I’ll miss you but I’m happy you found your way home! I’m glad you lived your life fully. Thank you for having each of us unapologetically!
Maria Ressler Nature Paintings and Art Studio 