A una coqueta

My maternal grandparents, Samuel y Maria, live in a little trailer in Edinburgh, Texas.  Alone.  'uelito is 83, often seen wearing his cowboy hat, and 'uelita is 81.  They have been married 50+ years.  My grandmother broke her leg last week and I talked to her today, when my parents went to visit her.  Speaking with her, laughing with her, made me so unbelievably happy ~ the strength of her character and the lightness of her laughter wiped away weeks of weakness that have been weighing me down.  She is amazing.

The women in the family are all coquetas on the outside and profoundly strong on the inside ~ the men are macho on the outside and cariñoso softies on the inside.  All of us have a special, playful way of speaking to each other ~ we're never entirely serious ~ the gentle goading usually bundles up any serious words or worrisome thoughts and pushes them into corners of our minds, to be unwrapped later. So, my conversation with 'eulita about her fall and her broken leg went like this (in our informal version of Spanish, with the English translation down below):

Me:    Mire, señorita, qué, 'staba patinando otra vez?
'eulita:    [laughing] Bueno ya sabes....me gustan mis patines.
Me:   ¿Bueno, qué paso?
'uelita:    Ay mijita ~ la hice 81 años sin ninguna fractura ~ y mira.  Pero que hacer?  Así es la vida.  Pero vienes de material muy, muy fuerte mija.  No se to olvide.  Pero, si quiera aquí estan todos con migo.
Me:    Ay 'uelita, si quería atención no tenía que hacer todo eso!
'uelita:    [laughing] Bueno tu abuelo y tu papá andan comprando una tina para bañarme en el garaje, para dejarme toda perfumada.
Me:     Escándalosa!  Y la pierna?
'uelita:    Me tienen en un yeso, y me pusieron un tornillo y una barra.  Como tienes en tu espalda!
Me:    Somos las mujeres biónicas!
'uelita:    Ay mija, tengo muchas ganas de verte.

In English:

Me:   Look little lady, what, were you roller skating again?
Grandma:   [laughing] Well you know...I like my roller skates.
Me:    So, what happened?
Grandma:   Oh sweetie ~ I made it 81 years without any broken bones ~ and look what happens.  But what can you do?  That's life.  But you come from very, very sturdy stock sweetheart.  Don't forget that.  So, at least everyone is here with me.
Me:   Oh grandma!  If you wanted attention, you didn't have to do all that!
Grandma:   Well, your grandfather and your dad are out buying a basin to give me a bath in the garage, to leave me all dolled up.
Me:   You are scandalous!  What about your leg?
Grandma:   They have me in a cast, and they inserted a rod and screw.  Like what you have in your back!
Me:   We're the bionic women!
Grandma:   Oh sweetie.  I really want to see you.

I have written before about my grandmother's strength ~ she is also una coqueta linda, and I love her very much:

On the phone, my grandfather arrived, with the basin they were going to bathe her in. He still calls me "marisita," as if I was still 10.  He survived a cancer scare last year, and rarely leaves my grandmother's side ~ except maybe when he's cutting a rug:

I'm making plans to visit both sets of grandparents in August, in the stifling Texas heat which will surely be softened by the sparkle in my grandmother's eyes, my grandfather's quiet confianza, and their sunny laughter.  I hope to live such a long and loving life as they have; I hope to be as strong as they are ~ someday.  For now, I will let them fuss over me, as if I'm still 10, because even though I am the oldest grandchild in the bunch, I have always been their baby.  As proof, I leave you with the birthday card they sent me when I was 22 or 23, complete with sparkly stickers inside. ~ :).

 

Comments

[Melissa]

Just wanted to say hello

[Melissa]

You have built a good website

[Amanda]

Beautiful.

[Mirandian]

Hello There! Long time....I know, I know but I can explain....but why have you decided not to post any more, if I may ask? More jobs to juggle? Anyway, this post is really sweet and your Grand Parents sounds real amazing!

[Dan Ciruli]

I know you must have reasons for not posting anymore, and I trust they're good ones. FYI: your posts are very much appreciated and will be missed.

[kelly]

I love reading your posts Mari. Was the latest post really the last one? I will miss your blogging. At least keep the pictures coming on flickr! :-)

[cindylu]

Great story. I hope your Abuelita's recovery goes well.

I love the card! Sometimes I like that my grandparents treat me like I'm still a kid. Then again, the way I act around them really hasn't changed.

[Dan Ciruli]

Realmente tienes un tornillo y una barra en tu espalda? O era una metáfora?

[maggie, dammit]

Wow.

This is lovely and amazing.