Continued memory (part 3):
My grandma was strong. Nothing could break her. I use to tell her grandma, “you’re stronger than an hoax!”And she really was, she beat me in arm wrestle all time time. Aside from her physical strength - her spiritual, emotional, and mental strength were beyond my years. She’s always been an over comer. She never feared. She conquered what was in front of her until her very last breath. Although the names of her loved once faded in her delicate memory - the love, tenderness, and warmth she felt when her family was in her room overpowered her disease. She knew she was surrounded by people who loved her and it was just our time to be there for her. When my family and I visited her all at once, she couldn’t put a name to a face. But she was so overwhelmed with the presence of her family she cried tears of joy. Although her mind could not remember her heart always did. 

As I spent the last 25 years on this earth knowing my grandma, I can see now that her love will always be with me. As I raise my children, I will remember her in every precious moment. 
One day, I’ll drive my kids around in the summer and the heat will be blazing on us, and I’ll remember how grandma would take me to Wendy’s to get a frosty to cool off. When I see my children never back down from a fight, I’ll see my grandma’s inability to quit. When my mom picks my kids up from school, I’ll remember how Kiana and I felt in the backseat of grandmas red Jimmy like were were going to puke from her crazy driving. And every time life throws an obstacle at me and when some days are harder than others, I’ll remember how my grandma would comfort me and how she always give me the most insightful and encouraging words. Because of my grandma, I am who I am today. I love you grandma thank you for everything. 

Continued memory (2):

One day while I was in high school, My grandma asked me if i could help her fill out her doctor’s form. 
“okay, grandma, first question. How often do you workout?”
She replied 
“Everyday. I go walking around the neighborhood.”
I paused. And looked at her very puzzled. Most grandkids would simply just write down what she said. But that’s not how we were. Instead I said, 
“grandma, you don’t walk around the neighborhood. You would get lost if we went outside right now. I’ve never seen you walk around the neighborhood once” 
And she looked back at me and said “well I’m not always around you, SWEETHEART!” Oh man she got so mad at me. I thought I was going to get pinched again like I did when I was a kid. 

She use to tell me to be nice to my boyfriend, who is now my husband, because she knew, she knew I was just like her, sometimes we were a tad bit too strong-willed. Aside from our tricks and jokes, my grandma always gave me the best advice. I could run to her for just about anything and the wisdom that encompassed her words were always so reassuring. One day while I was in college, I called her and said “grandma, I met someone. He’s so handsome. i think you’d like him. But idk if I should date him or not.” And she responded, “madi, that’s so good. It’s good to be young and have a best friend. As long as you are best friends you don’t have anything to worry about.” My grandmas words were always so freeing. Freeing me from worry and fear. I trusted her with all my heart. And from that moment forward, my best friend eventually became my husband, thanks grandma.

It’s profoundly hard to find the right words that will accurately convey the relationship my grandma and I shared. She gave her all to her family, her children, and especially her grandchildren. I cannot think of a time in my life where she wasn’t there. Hugging me. Joking with me. Comforting me. Sometimes, pinching me because I wouldn’t listen. But with every hug and with every pinch she gave me and Kiana, I knew that she would do anything and everything for us.

I can still see her in her red Jimmy talking on the phone as I walked up to her after countless soccer practices. She never complained, not once. She loved every minute she spent with all her grandchildren. It was her purpose. Her purpose in this life was always much greater than selfish ambition that most people have. She gave her all to her family because it filled her heart with irreplaceable memories and joy. 

My grandma and I were known for our constant jokes and tricks we’d play against each other. She use to take my things and hide them just to get a good laugh. And I would put the camera on her face early in the morning before she got ready for the day, so she could see how she looked and she would say “AYY madi, take that off. You’re terrible!” As she playfully acted like she was going to pinch me. And we laughed and laughed. 
It’s just how we were, no one was going to change that. 

My grandma and I would always call each other “sweetheart.” But don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t in a lovey dovey way, but in a playful way where we both knew neither one of us were sweet at all. I can still hear her calling me that. ❤️

OBITUARY

Amparo Villegas Gonzales

February 17, 1939 – December 26, 2020

Memory Gardens Funeral Home & Cemetery

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