Abuelo Raul

Abuelo Raul.

I have so much to be thankful for when it comes to my Abuelo. It is because of he and my grandmother that I am a proud citizen of this country. It is because he came to this country, learned to communicate and worked harder than a dog as a janitor that I was able to grow up in a safe home surrounded by love. It is my Abuelito that stepped up and took the place of "Daddy" when my parents divorced.



I remember Abuelito bringing home dolls for me to play with. I cherished every one of them, even though I now know that they weren't brand new. He picked them up from the garbage at the Children's hospital he worked at. knowing that now, I treasure his heart even moreso.



I had several operations on my arm when I was young and Abuelito was there for each one. He bought me a set of clowns from the gift shop, and though I got red jello vomit on one of them, they were amongst my most prized possessions.



I used to "perform" by lypsincing to my grandparent's music and using the doorknob as my microphone often as a child. Abuelito was always my biggest fan and never hesitated to cheer me on. No matter how tired from work he was, he was never too tired for my shows.



I remember Abuelito playing aserin aserran with me on the couch. Though I was young, we would sit and listen to Alvarez Guedes and randomly around the house you would hear Abuelo asking me"quieres que te cuente el cuento de la buena pipa?" Abuelito used to kill me with tickles by playing this little ditty: "Cuando vayas a la carnicería,

dile que no te corten por aquí,

ni por aquí,

ni por aquí,

que te corten ¡por aquí!"

With each motion I knew he was getting closer to my armpit and I would giggle with anticipation.



As I grew older, he and Abuelita divorced, but my love for them always remained equal. To this day I still get birthday and Christmas cards with the infamous $25.00 or $50.00 check inside to buy myself "algo chiquito."



In 2005 Abuelito footed the bill and enabled my now husband and I to visit Cuba for the first time. While there he arranged the miraculous task of getting together 92 of our family members at one location for a meet and greet!



I know he wasn't perfect. Really, who is? But, my Abuelito always rose to the occasion when it came to me and to this day every memory I have of him is of Love. I pray my son will be able to meet the man that made such a wonderful impact on my life, soon.



Thank you, Abuelo.