BS: A song and a prayer for Graciela

Subject: RE: BS: A song and a prayer for Graciela
From: Ella who is Sooze
Date: 13 Dec 02 - 09:28 AM

Andrés,

I've only just seen this message.

I am truely sorry for your troubles and sad news, I hope that our best wishes and regards for you and yours go a little way towards a small bit of comfort.

I'd like to pass on my deepest sympathies, and to tell you that I firmly believe loved ones never leave you - they will always be with you in spirit until you meet again.

I lost my grandma two years ago, which has been a loss most hard to live with - she was like a second parent to me. I feel like she is often around, and still chat away to her when I think of her.

And... your sons will always need you Andrés - no matter how old they are! The same goes for your grandchild.

All the best Andrés - take care.

Ella

Subject: RE: BS: A song and a prayer for Graciela
From: Kim C
Date: 13 Dec 02 - 11:38 AM

I am a little late myself.... I am so sorry to read about this. I just lost a friend to cancer last week. Perhaps Graciela and Sheila are in some fine sunny place, having tea, and talking about their family and friends.

Hugs to you.

KFC

Subject: RE: BS: A song and a prayer for Graciela
From: Escamillo
Date: 17 Dec 02 - 10:50 AM

I keep re-reading all your posts and can't find an expression to give thanks to all for your solidarity. Next Monday 23 I'll be arriving to Miami to visit my oldest son, and will try to meet Catspaw and family, who will be on vacation nearby, and possibly transmit my gratitude to all in a hug to that admirable man.

I wish you were able to see the smile in the face of my dear Graciela when I read for her all the messages of love and prayers when she was still fighting against the disease. She was grateful too, and always amazed at receiveing so many messages of good wishes. This was so comforting for her in her last days !

Un abrazo,
Andrés

Subject: RE: BS: A song and a prayer for Graciela
From: Amos
Date: 17 Dec 02 - 10:53 AM

Escamillo,

I do hope you and Catspaw get together. He's as good an ambassador as the Cat could want, and you know we are all sending you ongoing waves of support and corragio as you find your way through this strange sad time.

Fondest regards,

Amos

Subject: RE: BS: A song and a prayer for Graciela
From: catspaw49
Date: 17 Dec 02 - 11:52 AM

I have just sent Andres another PM. We have a time that we might possibly meet in Miami when he arrives, but we will be leaving before he returns. I'm hoping we can work it out as it would be a true pleasure for me to meet this wonderful man. Keep your fingers crossed!

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: A song and a prayer for Graciela
From: katlaughing
Date: 17 Dec 02 - 12:33 PM

I sure hope that can happen, Pat. I cannot think of a better person for Andres to get to be with than yourself, and Karen, of course.

Andres, again, thank you for letting us be a prt of all of this, sad though it may be. We are the better for having known Graciela and you and I look forward to your continued sharing, esp. when you have that grandbaby.

Best of luck getting together, guys.

luvyakat

Subject: RE: BS: A song and a prayer for Graciela
From: Escamillo
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 07:37 PM

Everything ok to contact Spaw as soon as I arrive. We could meet on Dec 24 in some place still not defined, but I'm convinced that we will meet, and will embrace all of the Mudcat people in his person.

God bless you all
Andrés

Subject: RE: BS: A song and a prayer for Graciela
From: Peter T.
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 10:31 PM

Don't base your views of Mudcatters on having met me, Andres. Don't be afraid or apprehensive. They are really quite normal, except for catspaw, and hmmm.... where was I?
yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: BS: A song and a prayer for Graciela
From: Escamillo
Date: 04 Jan 03 - 12:03 AM

Well, I'm back at home. Talking a lot about our visit (one parent physically, one parent spiritually). I arrived this morning after two days of sleeping in buses and airport and planes because of a very tight schedule complicated by the awful combination of arrivals and departures. Got sick in the flight, suffering a horrible pain that seemed to be originated in my poor liver. After immediate attention on board and at the Air Force Hospital in Buenos Aires Intl.Airport and my own medical care system, I was diagnosed (at first) kidney calculus (stones) and sent home to take a break until Monday when I'll have to go through many other tests. Heart, liver, panchreas are ok. The problem is in the right kidney. I ate moderately and the pain is gone for the moment. Ok, some day, somehow, my age had to become evident, but this is not the important story.

Very important things happened in this trip. Mariano was eagerly waiting for me. I've found him very solidly decided to come back to work in Argentina, and much more, to do it close to his father and brothers, and to honor the memory of his mother whom he loves a lot more than I could imagine. I haven't seen Mariano in such a deep sorrow. He wants to care for me and his brothers, to work together again, to keep a family as his mother would have liked. As he talked to me, I was hearing his mothers' spell, with the same words, as if she was dictating to him, and this amazed me very much.

My son is intact, has matured a lot, and his words have helped me to foresee a life after my life, and a time after the time has ended. Because I know that my life as I knew it, has come to an end, and the light as I've seen it, went off. But there will be another life and other lights sustained by three beloved boys, and I can't just shut my eyes off and ignore them. This I learnt from them and from my generous Graciela.


Many people called me during my stay. I've had the pleasure of talking with Catspaw, Karen, Katlaughing and Roger, and many others from the Mudcat and other friends in the USA. Thanks to all, I so much needed to talk, and to cry, and to smile.

I could not meet Catspaw and family in person, because we were located very far away from each other, and the public transportation by bus and trains had an awful schedule for those little towns I was visiting (Wilwood and Leesburg, Florida) but I could talk to them, and I am so glad I could hear their voices and receive so warm welcomes ! There is a lot more to share with all of you. I'll post tomorrow and the following days.

Spaw, I had carried with me a CD of Argentinean music to give you, but as you know, I am emotionally unstable, and forgot it completely to at least send it to you. Please PM me your address so I can send it by mail from here.

Un abrazo,
Andrés

Subject: RE: BS: A song and a prayer for Graciela
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 Jan 03 - 12:35 AM

Andres, my friend, it is so good to hear from you and to know that you are safe, at home, again! It was wonderful to visit with you.

It sounds as though this was a very important trip for you and for Mariano. Stay well and rest...you deserve it as does your body.:-)

luvyakat & rog

Subject: RE: BS: A song and a prayer for Graciela
From: catspaw49
Date: 04 Jan 03 - 02:59 AM

We have been very worried about you and it is good to see you back here! I am very sorry we didn't get together but I'll tell you later about all of that. I too have something (quite silly) for you and we'll work all that stuff out later as well. For now, just take the best care of yourself and hold onto those great feelings you got from Mariano. Bless you my friend, you've had a great burden to carry.

Pat

Subject: RE: BS: A song and a prayer for Graciela
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 04 Jan 03 - 06:59 AM

As Happy a New Year as you can have - and keep on singing.

I just now opened a book about vaqueros and gauchos and such ("Lost Cowboys" by the singer Hank Wangford), and the first lines I saw were from from a roughish English version of Martin Fierro:

And now begins the saddest part
Of my tale of trouble and grief,
Although the whole of my life, God knows
Has been nothing more than a chain of woes
Yet the suffering soul that sings its dole
In singing finds relief.

Subject: RE: BS: A song and a prayer for Graciela
From: bbc
Date: 04 Jan 03 - 09:36 AM

I'm so glad to hear of the love & closeness in your family. Surely, this will help you all. And I'm glad you're safely home. Watch those medical problems & take life as a gift from God, one day at a time.

love,

Barbara

Subject: RE: BS: A song and a prayer for Graciela
From: SINSULL
Date: 04 Jan 03 - 09:42 AM

I am glad to hear that you are home and safe. Kidney stones can be dealt with with diet, rest and a little less stress. Lord knows, you have had your share.

Live one day at a time. Lean on your family and friends when you need to. And look forward to watching your sons grow into good men. They have an extraordinary example to follow in their father.

Mary

Subject: RE: BS: A song and a prayer for Graciela
From: Alice
Date: 04 Jan 03 - 10:28 AM

Andrés, my brief visits to the Mudcat forum lately made me miss the opportunity to telephone when you were in the US. My heartfelt wishes for a quick recovery of your health. I am sure your family will bring you strength and life. We all move through time and bear the loss of our loved ones, and there is no greater pain than grieving. As your sons will bring you comfort, know that you also have a friend in Montana.

Alice