April 05, 2005

Mom at the Grand Canyon National Park 1986

We didnt always agree, that was a given in a family of individuals. We were firmly fundamentally disposed to disagree. But I think, especially once I became a Believer that I understood more and as I grew older that Mom wasnt so dumb after all. You really did know what you were talking about...

And I think as you grew older you saw that I wasnt so radical after all. That we had differing gifts and even in the work of the church we were more alike than unalike.

What you didnt know what that while I rebuked you for your sometime rebellion, a dislike you seemed to have for doing things that others needed you to do in a certain way. I admired you too. I admired your pluck and daring and sometime trailblazing ideas. After entering what was to be a second very difficult marriage I understood more than ever your determination to your commitment to Dad even though no one in the world would have condemned you had you left him. You chose not to and just as I stay with Woody in the face of all who would say how I would be better off leaving him, I can say what you said... I made a commitment to God and your father in that order.

I also understand your daily feeling of loss over leaving Cuba, and how perhaps that period of your life shaped you and made you into the person that you are. I understand how a place and a time can touch you so deeply....I feel this way about Hawaii and I know that while the circumstances are so different, in a way they are the same, that is the place where your heart lies...

Weither it is your courage for face the oncomming army of Fidel Castro on your little farm in Cuba, deal with disgrace... the daily grind of a troubled marraige or face the onslought of a rapidly degenerating illness that has robbed you of nearly all that you held dear in this life, you have lived you life with dignity. I salute you.