Calvary Cemetery, East Los Angeles
Everytime I pass by the large statue of La Virgen de Guadalupe overlooking the 60 freeway on my way to Hacienda Heights and back to LA, I think of Grandma and Grandpa. Well, I think about them a lot more often than just then. I think of how odd it is that to visit them now I would take the same exit off the 60 freeway as I used to when we’d visit their house on Hicks. I miss them incredibly, but don’t visit their graves too much. It’s weird for me.
On Saturday afternoon I found myself in East LA observing for class. Afterward, I decided to visit Calvary Cemetery since it had been way too long since I last went to their graves. I drove east along First Street, made a right on Gage Avenue, a left on Third Street and then a right on Downey Road to where Grandma and Grandpa now rest.
I took the time to talk to them, pray and sing for them. I cried. I always cry when I’m there, I can’t help it. Sometimes I write, but this time I left my notebook closed.
When I got home to Hacienda Heights, I told my mom, dad and sister, “I went to visit Grandma and Grandpa today. They say hi.”
Lori responded, “did you sing for them? They like it when you sing.”
I responded, “of course I did.”
We have yearly rosaries in memory of our loved ones who passed on. My grandparents passed away more than 10 years ago, and I still tear when I think about them. I miss them too.
I think it’s wonderful that you can share those experiences here. Regardless of how you remember someone’s life, the feeling of their grandness is something worth mentioning.
It takes strenght to go to these sacred places to spend time with loved ones you have lost. My granmita died last year in May and since then I have not been able to go and visit her grave. It’s just too hard and I just love her too much it’s too hard. I still talk to her just about every day in prayer and thoughts.
Thanks for sharing this entry with us. I’ve had my share of immediate family pass away, so I can relate to this post. People deal with death in different ways I have come to find out. Most of my family rarely goes to visit the camposantos where our family is buried. I on the other hand go and place flower’s at least once a month. For me personally its a sigh of respect for thier memory..
Any chance we can get you to lean your camera out the window, and snap a picture of the statue off the highway?
Trench,
I think we ask for a Mass to be said in their honor each year. It’s usually right around Christmas or early January because that’s the time in between the anniversary of my grandparents’ deaths. I hope you have lots of good memories of your grandparents.
Jeff,
Well, I have some pretty cool people reading. Mis abuelitos were definitely grand.
Ni De Aquí_MAR_Ni De Allá,
I’m sorry for your loss. I like the idea of writing a letter to your Granmita. that’s beautiful.
Joseph,
I’ll try to get one tomorrow, but not while driving. That might cause an accident, and I don’t need any more.
Pingback: Lotería Chicana » My favorite photos of 2006 you probably haven’t seen (part two)