Something that is sure about life is that one day we will die. Even though death is so common is still shocking every time you find out that someone has passed away.
There is one thing I really don't like about traveling and it is to receive that type of news (I think that I don't like them even if I'm in my hometown). But there is something about receiving that news when you know that you are really far away.
In 2012 when I was in Europe. I found out through FB that I friend had passed away. It was so weird because that day Che was constantly popping up in my mind. And I remembered when I first read that post I thought this is a really really awful joke, then when I read a new post about the same thing I just shut the laptop. I was angry and sad at the same time. I couldn't believe that I will never have the opportunity to talk to Che and to tell him about the whole experience in Paris and Europe. Last time I saw him I remembered it was at Leigh's house. He just said, "You are going to love Paris, have a rijius time there". While I was traveling we used to get in touch. He helped me when I was stuck in Berlin. And I remember that when I was in London we used to text each other. In a way, he was the person who was more in touch with me when I was feeling so lonely in that part of the world.
Currently, I'm traveling around Southeast Asia. I arrived in Thailand on December 2nd. We suffered jetlag for two days. Monday was the first day we decided to go out and walked around the town. We found a Café. The ambiance was just perfect with airconditioner (considering that the temperature outside was plus 30 degrees) and the smell of coffee was delicious. Meanwhile, Ant went to the counter and asked for an espresso. I was sitting there admiring the place when Selena's song "Dreaming of you" started to play. It was so weird to hear that song in Phuket, Thailand. Immediately I started to think about my mom, so I called her but as always no one answered. So I thought about posting on FB. So, I logged in and I found out by a post that "Tio Pepe" has passed away.
He was the youngest brother of my grandpa. I never met my grandpa (he died when my mom was 21 years old). At that precise moment, I remembered the time my mom was crying after she came back from Monterrey, we were in the kitchen and I asked her - How is Tio Pepe?’- “He didn’t know that he was burying his son, it was sad”. Ant arrived at the table with a beer and the song was still on. It was a moment to remember my uncle because he used to love beer and my mom.
On January 29th, Ant and I made a phone call to the US. We talked to Blanche (Ant’s grandmother). She was at the hospital, even though she couldn’t talk, she listened to what we have to say “You are a strong woman, we think a lot of you and our time in Florida, we miss you and we love you”.
That night I had a dream about her. In that dream I visited her and she just told me “They want me to sleep, but I don’t know if I want to or if it is my time to go” I replayed - Do you remember the time that we spent in Fort Myers together and the cruise tv commercial that we used to watch. We haven’t been there yet, or what about visiting Paris?- “Sam I’m in a wheelchair and I need oxygen, I’m old and I want to see Albert again” - Please Blanche! I will talk to your family, you are going to be ok. I will see you soon and we are going to do all the things we have planned. - “Ok, Sam”.
Next morning I woke up angry and anxious about the dream. Ant and I didn’t share any word. I texted Marilyn asking her about Blanche. I made coffee and when I entered the room I sat down on the bed, Ant told me “My grandma passed away” at the same time I was receiving a text message from Marilyn saying "Sam, Blanche passed away about four hours ago. I texted Ant. Didn't he get it?" I just hugged him feeling really sad.
As I said at the beginning death is so common, but really shocking, I guess that these types of experiences help you to become stronger, and to appreciate any moment that you spend with any person. Maybe one day I will see them again and if not I’m truly happy and grateful to have had the opportunity to cross paths with each of them. Love you and you are always on my mind...