Miguel Angel Alejandro Zorrilla

El pasado viernes 12 de junio, Miguel Ángel Zorrilla sufrió una embolia cerebral que cuatro días más tarde tomó finalmente su vida, adelantándose para encontrarse con su creador y Padre en el cielo, dejando atrás momentáneamente a su esposa, compañera, mejor amiga y cómplice de aventuras desde su juventud Miriam ‘Mimi’, a su hija mayor Paola Daniela quien heredó la fortaleza de corazón de su padre, su hija menor Marcia ‘Machi’ quien siempre tuvo en su padre su primer amor y que comparte con su madre la dulzura que Miguel vio en Mimi, así como 6 nietos Samantha, Alejandro, Mathias, Lucas, Santiago y un bebé que aún está en gestación, a los cuales amó y por quienes dio hasta lo último de su fuerza.

Fue encontrado desmayado en su lugar de trabajo con un pocillo tirado a un lado, y el café aun tibio derramado sobre su ropa. Cualquiera que lo conociese bien sabría que adoraba el café, así que era de esperarse, que aún en sus últimos momentos consciente Miguel estaría disfrutando una buena taza de café. Su esposa, Mimi y su hermano Fernando ‘Nano’, que trabajaban con él en la George Mason University, fueron los primeros en llegar una vez dieron aviso de su desmayo. Antes que llegara la ambulancia que lo llevaría al lugar que sería su última morada, Miguel le regaló a su esposa y hermano una última señal de vida que quedará para siempre en su memoria: “Estoy Bien, estoy bien”, fue lo que alcanzó a balbucear mientras intentaba levantar tímidamente su cabeza y brazo izquierdo.

La embolia atacó el hemisferio izquierdo de su cerebro, lo cual hizo quimérica su supervivencia y recuperación. El coágulo que navego hasta su cerebro finalmente le ganó la batalla a un hombre que toda su vida fue un guerrero, genuino y transparente, lo cual, sin lugar a duda, le concedió el premio de ser amado por muchos, admirado por otros y definitivamente extrañado ahora en su ausencia por todos los que tuvimos el honor de conocerlo. Se caracterizó por siempre hablar lo que estaba en su mente sin guardar agendas escondidas ni segundas intenciones. Su alegría, templanza y honestidad fue reconocida por todos sus compañeros de trabajo, amigos y compañeros de estudio, sus camaradas de las Fuerzas Militares Bolivianas y especialmente por todos sus familiares, desde su padre, Don Miguel, hasta su nieto más pequeño, Santiago.

Fue siempre un pilar en la casa de su padre, aun cuando ya no vivía en su natal Bolivia. Sus tres hermanos, Ronald, Fernando y Adrián no solo tuvieron en Miguel a su hermano mayor, sino también a su mejor amigo y compañero de batallas, quienes recibieron su respaldo y apoyó en todo lo que pudo. La última lucha que tuvo que enfrentar, la libró hace poco menos de dos años cuando estando de vacaciones con su familia en Santa Cruz, Bolivia, su madre Cristina, o ‘Nancy’, como se le conocía cariñosamente, murió después de pelear con una fibrosis pulmonar por algún tiempo. Dicen los que estuvieron presentes, que es como si ella, ‘Nancy’, estuviera esperando a su hijo mayor y columna principal en su casa para despedirse de él, sabiendo que su presencia iba a ser necesaria después de su partida.

Probablemente, lo más imponente de su vida y testimonio fue su fe. Si algo tenía claro era que Jesucristo era su Salvador personal, quien entregó su vida en la cruz por él. Por eso todos los que le conocimos siempre le vamos a recordar cerrar todas sus oraciones diciendo: “…en el nombre de Cristo”. Y es con es Cristo con quien hoy reposa y se regocija en el Cielo, por eso hoy, al amado esposo, padre, hijo, hermano, tío, abuelo y suegro le decimos ¡HASTA SIEMPRE, MIGUELITO!

“Le dijo Jesús: Yo soy la resurrección y la vida; el que cree en mí, aunque esté muerto, vivirá.” Juan 11; 25

“Enjugará Dios toda lágrima de los ojos de ellos; y ya no habrá muerte, ni habrá más llanto, ni clamor, ni dolor; porque las primeras cosas pasaron.” Apocalipsis 21; 4

ENGLISH VERSION

Last Friday, June 12, Miguel Angel Zorrilla suffered a stroke that four days later took his life to meet his creator and Father in heaven, leaving behind his wife, companion, best friend and accomplice of adventures from his youth Miriam ('Mimi'), her eldest daughter Paola Daniela (‘Dani’) who inherited the strength of her father's heart, her youngest daughter Marcia ('Machi') who always had in her father her first love and who shares with her mother the sweetness that Miguel saw in Mimi, as well as 6 grandchildren Samantha, Alejandro, Mathias, Lucas, Santiago and a baby that is yet to be born, whom he loved and for whom he gave every last bit of his strength.

He was found passed out at his workplace with a cup to one side, and still warm coffee spilled on his clothes. Anyone who knew him well also knew he loved coffee, so it was to be expected that even in his last conscious moments Miguel would be enjoying a good cup of coffee. His wife Mimi and brother Fernando (‘Nano’), who work with him at George Mason University, were the first to arrive once they gave notice of his fainting. Before the ambulance arrived to take him to the place that would be his last home, Miguel gave his wife and brother one last sign of life that will remain forever in their memories: "I'm fine, I'm fine", which he managed to stammer as he shyly tried to lift his head and left arm.

The stroke attacked the left hemisphere of his brain, survival and recovery would have been a chimeric dream. The clot that sailed up to his brain finally won the battle against a man who was a warrior all his life, genuine and transparent, which undoubtedly gave him the prize of being loved by many, admired by others and definitely now missed by all of us who had the honor of meeting him. He was characterized by always speaking what was on his mind without keeping hidden agendas or ulterior motives. His joy and honesty were recognized by all his coworkers, friends and fellow students, his comrades from the Bolivian Military Forces and especially all his relatives, from his father, Don Miguel, to his youngest grandson, Santiago.

He was always a pillar in his father's house, even though he no longer lived in his native Bolivia. His three brothers, Ronald, Fernando and Adrián not only had Miguel as their older brother, but also their best friend and companion in battles, who received his support in every way he could. The last fight he had to face, he battled a little less than two years ago when on vacation with his family in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, his mother Cristina, or ‘Nancy’ as she was affectionately known, died after fighting a terrible sickness. Those who were present say that it is as if she, ‘Nancy’, was waiting for her eldest son and main column in her household to say goodbye to him, knowing that his presence would be necessary after her departure.

Probably the most impressive thing in his life and testimony was his faith. If anything was clear, it was that Jesus Christ was his personal Savior, who gave His life on the cross for him. That is why all of us who knew him will always remember that in he would end all his prayers: "…in the name of Christ." And it is with Christ with whom today he rests and rejoices in Heaven, that is why, we say today to the beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle, grandfather and father-in-law, FAREWELL, MIGUELITO!

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live” John 11; 25

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Revelations 21; 4