Today when we got to the hospital, everyone was in the waiting room and crying. They told me and my mother that it was near the end. I called my father as everyone entered the room hurridly. My grandfather was on a breathing tube, and one of our family members said a passing prayer. Then the doctor came in...and told us he'd passed away, 2pm. His heart had simply been too overwhelmed. Everyone was in the room and my poor grandmother was crying so hard. I can only imagine, he was her guardian and love for almost 53 years. They love each other very much. It's so sad that I won't be able to hear him say, "Well, well, well, look who's here! The Vicky Vicky!" (the name I was given by my father) or see him in the garden, or tell us about his adventures at the casino. I think that's the hardest part that I can still hear his voice in my head laughing and how he would say things, I will not hear that voice again until I'm in Heaven with him.

This was so surreal because this happened so very very quickly. I always imagined he'd be around for many more years, never slowing down, there on my wedding day and to see my children. This disease went so quickly, when they did an X-ray they found it in his brain already. We were supposed to find out for sure tomorrow what exactly he had wrong with him and go on to treatment. How where we to know it would be so quickly? But now my grandfather is at peace. I'm glad I was with him all this time. He'd been there for me when I was in the hospital so many times. I know he appreciated us all being there despite him trying to throw us out so many times, worried about our jobs and our time. He's that kind of man, he's awesome.

Mom and I asked the nurse to call the chaplain to bless my grandfather's body. Monseigneur Herres from St. John's came to say a prayer and bless his body. He recognized me and asked if he was my grandfather. I nodded. He shook everyone's hand and everyone said they liked how respectful he was and how he hung around afterward. So much crying, but we're okay because we knew he was free from pain now and he was okay. My grandfather is a very religious man, he always brought his faith with him everywhere, he always encouraged me to help out and stay with the church, which I have and will. He's even going to be buried in his usher robe from his parish where he was an usher for so many years. After the nurses washed him up and took the medical equipment away, my Aunt Ana combed his hair and beard. He was so peaceful looking, like he was asleep. I want him to wake up. I touched his arms and ran my hand through his hair and kissed him goodbye, I told him, "I love you, Grandpa, I love you so much" and that was the last time I got to talk to him and touch him.

Everyone left to my Grandma's house where my uncle bought pizza and chicken for everyone. From KFC, no less, my friends used to call my Grandpa "The Colonel" lovingly as he did look like Colonel Sanders. :) We ate, talked, had more relatives come by, shared stories. Auntie Ana told me a few more:

-When my mother was younger, she didn't get along with Grandma at all. One day, they had a physical fight with each other. While they were fighting, my Grandpa was sitting on the couch and turned to my Aunt Ana and said,"So...who do you think's going to win?" My aunt said, "I don't know, Silbia's (my mom) pretty mad today..." That was the day my mom moved out.

-One day, my Uncle Manuel poked my Aunt Ana with a pencil and to this day the lead is STILL stuck between her lip and her chin!

-Whenever my Grandma would get mad at my aunts and mother, my Aunt Ana told me my mom would start crying already to make Grandma believe she already scolded her so she would never be punished!

-My Uncle Manuel got mad at my Aunt Ana one day and chased her down the street with a baseball bat--with my Grandpa following them!

-When my Uncle Michael was very little, the other older kids where supposed to be watching him. He ended up crawling around into the kitchen in his one-piece baby jumper and getting electrocuted when he put a bobby pin in an electrical socket! The whole wall caught on fire! They tried to scrub off the singed hair on his head and face but it didn't come off!

After most of the family left, we talked about what would happen next. Then more family showed up. My extended family always tells me I look like my cousin Chavella, I have to see this! All the women look alike; all short, brown haired Mexican women! Uncle Manuel thanked my mom and I for helping out as much as we did. He said that Grandpa is smiling down on all of us. Dad says we were made by a mold LOL Mike talked to me and offered his condolences, as did Matt, Mr. K, and Tak. And I'm very grateful to all of you who offered your prayers, thoughts and good vibes. You'll never know how very much it means to me that you did. Thank you.

I took some pictures of pictures around the house. I also scanned some pictures I found in a photo album of us.

]

believe it or not, this is me in the 9th grade. I thought I was fat in this picture. Little did I know...LOL



This picture hangs at the end of the hallway at my grandparent's house before you enter their room. It's famous.



My brother and I used to beg my grandma to let us play with this little toy taco on wheels. It's behind a glass cabinet.



My grandparents and my brother and I at Hoover Dam circa 1992



My grandpa and little me at his house in the old rocking chair



My grandpa and little me circa 1985 or 6



they brought us KFC to eat. I had to take a picture of this >.<



My grandparent's wedding photo- June 24, 1955



It's not a clear picture but in the middle are my grandparents with their Abuelitos of Boyle Heights social group.



This collage of pictures hasn't changed much since they put it up. There are a lot of pictures of my mom, me, aunt, and my cousin Nick. The oval one kind of in the middle is my parent's wedding photo taken at City Hall in Downtown LA. I was there-in my mom's belly :)

Tomorrow will be a busy day. We're getting things arranged and calling the people that need to be contacted, taking care of my grandmother and pulling together as a family. It's so strange how fast everything happened and is happening but we did everything we could and are doing everything we can now still. My Grandfather is up in Heaven doing all the things he liked to do down here...maybe not gambling though hehe, but gardening, carpentry, dancing, and cracking jokes. He took care of his family and now it's time for us to take care of him. <3

Manuel Guerra
Sept. 29, 1933-June 28, 2009