As we get old, our minds wander through all the information our brains have collected over the years. Occasionally, the recollection of these memories can be jumbled or distorted. Most of the recollection of events is based on the person’s perception and are not always accurate or factual as we may think.
My grandfather’s last years were a collection of memories that were ordered and curated from his perspective. Most of his memories were funny from our generational perspective, and they ranged from just funny to downright hysterical. Of course, there were a few sad memories that he would share in melancholy and remembrance of times of his youth when the world was better (that perspective thing again).
During the Oscars of 2006, a life achievement was awarded to Sean Connery for his long and continuous work over seven decades (he started acting at 7). When the announcement was made, Mr. Connery got up to a standing ovation from his peers in the theater, walked to the stage, said a few words of thanks, and walked off the stage.
The next morning at breakfast, my grandfather was baffled because how in the world the people of the academy have conferred such an honor to Sean Connery, and he did not show up and instead sent his dad to pick up the award. Around the table there was an even more dumbfounded confused faces as we all thought “WHAT?“.
It took what seems to be hours, but only a couple of minutes went by when my aunt responded “papi (as he was referred out of respect), that was him”
More confused and now disturbed, my grandfather responded, “no, ese no puede ser el. Yo vi una película con el antes de ese show y ese hombre es joven y es muy elegante y opota(…that could not be him because I just watched him in a movie (on the Spike network’s James Bond Marathon) before the Oscars, and he is a young good-looking elegant man”, he concluded.
We all looked at each other and let it go, since there was no way to convince him, as he continued to chastise 007 and his dad for disrespecting the people of the academy.
Over the years and after his death, it became a funny family moment that became part of his story and even today it still is a source of laughter and remembrance.
For our family, it is important that our last days are filled with small moments like that one.
Monchito, as he was called, died in Gainesville, Florida around 2008 (my life was a blur during those years), and was cremated and reunited with his Carmen back on the Island (The Lone Star Estate).
Sometimes in our so called complicated or busy day that is nothing but a mirage we create to avoid and to cherish these simple moments of beauty that encompass life, and during Monchito’s time he provided with a plethora of moments of beauty.
Next: A Couple of Things of my Chest.
Tales from the Estate 