For Grandma

In loving tribute to Elfida “Graciela” Govea

Our beloved Grandma can lay to rest. We pray that her spirit may be at peace. She was our family’s careful gardener. We could bloom because of her love.
Deepest sympathies,
Johnny, Katsumi and Lilica Govea
(from our card attached to the flower arrangement for her rosary service).

We are mourning for our beloved Grandma here, too. The garden of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren has spread across the world and we hold her sacred memory in trust deep in our hearts. God bless you Grandma and may the angels, relatives and friends you are joining in heaven keep you good company until we all can reunite again.
Our deepest sympathies,
Johnny, Katsumi and Lilica Govea (Kurashiki, JAPAN)
(in reply to the obituary placed by her sons in the El Paso Times)

These few words that I have written about my grandmother’s passing are just a trickle of the emotion that is slowly seeping out from the deep recesses of my heart. The initial shock of this news is beginning to fade and my awareness of how this is affecting me and my family is now starting to come into focus. Our matriarch has left us and we are mourning for her death. I pray that we can remember her in her life, that we can reflect on the lessons she has taught us, the words, unwanted or not, of advice she provided and the wisdom she expressed in her small, everyday actions.

If she didn’t like something you said, she’d tell you to “Chet up!” But she always was ready to listen to you if you were in need. And she always observed how we were “growing like crazy.” Her hugs were generous and her thriftiness, precise. She was ready to tell you like it is or how it ought to be. She was strong, yet sensitive. Her home was the symbol of our family unity only because her heart was always big enough to let you in and love you completely. She was the gardener, the caretaker and the support system in all our lives.

We miss you, Grandma. Thank you for everything. For you, we’ll “live it up!”

El Paso Times obituary - http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/elpasotimes/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=156472342