Queen Irene

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Today, December 18, 2020 we celebrate the memory of an amazing woman who relocated to Heaven this day 15 years ago.

I will never forget that day. Surrounded by her kids and grandchildren, she met Jesus face to face.

My Nana was the Queen of our large hispanic family. Being the oldest grandchild, I was naturally the favorite. Hahahaha!!! Just kidding, cousins. But I was. Nana had that ability to love us so much individually that we all think we were her favorite. She was strong and brave. She was sick a lot, which led to her young death at age 63. My own mom is 60 now, just 3 years younger than her mom was when she saw Heaven.

Nana always seemed like a grandma to me, but not like a regular grandma, a cool grandma. She was always young at heart. Wow, did she have fashion sense! She was always up on the trends with the teenagers. Remember when those leggings were in style with the lace at the bottoms of the legs? Nana had a pair in every color. Her jewelry was always so much fun too. Homegirl would wear light up earrings and always had a necklace to match. She would sing so loud at church (honestly she would sing anywhere) and she couldn’t carry a tune. But she didn’t care. She gave zero thought about it because she was having fun!

When my sister and I would go spend 2 weeks with her and our Papa in the Summertime, she would take us to the grocery store and let us put whatever we wanted in the cart. She made sure we had swimming lessons every Summer because she never learned to swim herself. Probably to make sure we didn’t go home 10 lbs heavier too, just the regular 5 lbs.

Oh, and the talks we would have! Hours and hours of talking! Sometimes, they would turn into arguments because I’m pretty stubborn and so was she. But for the most part, she talked to me about Jesus. My close friends and family know that I inherited her Bible cover. I cherish it and remember her everyday. No material thing in this world means more to me than that Bible cover. She really encouraged me to follow Jesus and prophesied over me a lot. Those were incredible, special moments. I really wish she was still here. I have never felt more understood than I was by her.

The Family and I talk about Nana so much that her memory will never be forgotten. Our children know her and love her because of the stories we tell.

Liv knows these stories and quotes, or Nana-isms:

Songs she sang to us, and we sing to our kids-

“The Peanut Sat On A Railroad Track”, “Someone’s in the Kitchen with Dina”, my personal favorite, “Every Rose Has It’s Thorn”, by Guns and Roses. Also, when she thought the popular MC Hammer song, “Can’t Touch This” was saying “King Festus.”

“There is NOTHING, NOTHING worse than a liar.”

The way she would trick you into doing chores. “Who wants to dust my eggs?”

Every time Jeremy and I would go to visit, she would clap her hands together and say to Jeremy, “I have a job for you!” Like it was winning a prize.

Also, she didn’t like to say Jeremy,(I have no clue the reason) so she told him, “I’m gonna call you J.” Yes, she renamed my boyfriend. What a boss.

Liv’s favorite story is when one time my Mom and Pap Pap took Nana and Papa to Monterey, CA to see my sister for an Air Force ceremony. Nana insisted on being pushed in a wheelchair for shopping. They were pushing her around, when suddenly she got up real quick and ran over to a store because she saw something she liked. Ha! Needing a wheelchair, I don’t think so!

If Nana were still here today, she would be so proud of the adults we are. She is so proud of all of us and she loves watching us from Heaven. There are things we all do that are so much like Nana, we are reminded of her every single day. I am so blessed to have been able to spend so much time with her.

I always think of her strength, love and laughter. Her ability to make anyone, even a stranger on the street, feel like family.

Every time we have a cherry limeade from Sonic or see pretty birds like Peacocks, or hear a familiar song, and ESPECIALLY now and at Christmas, we think of you, Nana. Of COURSE you had to get to Heaven right before Jesus’ birthday, so you could be there to celebrate!

You are a true Queen. You always said we were the jewels in your crown and you taught us to shine bright.

I don’t know about you, but in writing this it made me think; How will people remember me when I am in Heaven? How will we remember you?

Love so much it hurts. Help so much it is a sacrifice. Spread Joy so much people smile when they see you coming.

I am so grateful to have had my Nana.

Love,

Tahnee XOXO