MI TIO FAVORITO
MY FAVORITE UNCLE
When I think of you Tio Carmelo the image of your soft brown eyes that expressed kindness and love, along with your gentle smile that exuded compassion and warmth.
Tio Carmelo you are and will always be this humble gentle soul, your quiet presence was always welcomed by me. You were one of my role models in our home that demonstrated kindness, compassion, love.
I watched you demonstrate your love to all of my eight siblings, along with all our extended family.
Tio you were a man of few words, however I witness how you were present with everyone you came in contact with. I watched you make eye contact with everyone you met, along with your soft smile. You demonstrated your love with your quiet reassurance.
When every I would see you,
I’d hear, “Mira Jojo.”
It wasn’t the two words that you uttered that were memorable, but the love that exuded when you expressed them.
I have also witnessed the love you have expressed to your four children, whom you have raised as a single father. Watching you with your children and shower your grandchildren with love.
Deep down I wish I had you as my loving father.
Tio Carmelo you have taught me what a true fathers love can look like.
You also were the one that helped me learn how to drive, even though I startled you at times. When I would drive to close to the car in front of me and break really fast. You would calmly tell me I shouldn’t drive so fast and break so suddenly.
I am grateful that you had calm disposition when I was starting to learn how to drive. I can appreciate even more now that I have been in the passenger side when my oldest daughter was learning how to drive.
What I am thankful for the most is you Tio trusting me to drive your car and supporting me with your calm deposition.
Tio Carmelo you are kind, generous and loving man and you will be greatly be missed. I am so truly blessed that you were my uncle.
I have watched you with the relationship with your oldest sister, which is my mother. It didn’t go unnoticed when you sat next to Mamí, when she lay on her hospice bed. You sat next to her and held her hand. I watched you exchange a few words to one another. I wanted to sit next to the both of you or be a fly on the wall and listen in to your conversation. I witnessed Love, Compassion, Kindness permeated the room and if two souls that were very similar, it was the both of you.
Your light will shine on for every and you will never be forgotten.
Here is a quote that I know to be one of your souls purpose on this earth.
“The light remain
There are some who bring a light so great to the world, that even after they have gone. The light remains.” author unknown.
Also, you are the reason I titled my book Como Coco.
When I was reading my mother’s eulogy at the church that I wrote fifteen years ago it read as follow…
I know without a doubt in my mind that you are in heaven because your purgatory was here on earth….Y ahora Mamí puedes desir ques eastas..Como Coco, and now
Mamí you can say… Como Coco”.
I looked up after saying “Como Coco” and I locked eyes with you Tio Carmelo, and you were gently nodding your head up and down with a smile confirming exactly what she said and you know to be true.
So, I say to you Tio Carmelo…that you are in a better place and I’m happy that you are not suffering with cancer anymore.
I know without a drought in my mind that you are in heaven because your purgatory was here on earth. Y ahora Tio puedes desire que estas
“Como Coco.”
And now Tio you can say “Como Coco.”
“The light remain
There are some who bring a light so great to the world, that even after they have gone. The light remains.” author unknown.
COMO COCO
“Como Coco.” Two Simple words. A Puerto Rican expression for saying you’re strong and robust. If the juice of the coconut is sweet inside that means life is sweet, because if it isn’t you woulds say Como Coco Rancio,” Which means the coconut juice is sour inside.
Joann DJ Ehlman,
Intuitive Life Coach, Intuitive Reiki Master Practitioner, Author & Speaker
Author of Como Coco -The Journey
https://www.amazon.com/Como-Coco-Joann-DJ-Ehlman/dp/1478720891