On being larger than life

He's always been larger than life to me. Even as his body shrunk with age, I was never near his stature. He was my Goyo-the name I used to call him as a child because I couldn't quite pronounce the word "Gordo." I have heard countless stories about him from his own mouth and from that of my father. Larger than life.

Through out the years I have seen the steady decline of his body-much like that of anybody else that goes through the process of aging. Last year, he gave us all a big scare. He wondered if he had done enough in his 90+ years. Wednesday afternoon, at 4:55, after a valiant struggle, his body finally succumbed. Though the thought of leaving his childhood sweetheart and his family must have pained him, he is now free. He is now with loved ones and friends that were waiting for him on the other side of the veil.

His body, run down by hard work in the fields and his businesses and other jobs he had through out his life is now resting.He has had numerous callings through out his life in which he worked hard and diligently, but the most important of those were as husband, father and grandfather, missionary, priesthood bearer and patriarch. His hard work is evident in the family he raised and he has earned his reward:

"Right now, in heaven, God has a pot of beans cooking, fresh tortillas are being made and a place has been set for my Guelito. Lord, you know who he is, please make him a General in your army of light."
(by, Jacob Alba)

Still, larger than life, he lives on through those he left behind. He taught us to love, to serve, to work hard and to laugh. To enjoy life and each other's company, an occasional Coke and Pan Dulce. While I wish I could have taken advantage more of the time I had with him, I know that he knows of the love I have for him. There is no doubt in my mind that he has done enough. However the only question that lingers is for me: Have I done enough to be worthy of him and his legacy?

I hope that the way I live my life and the way I teach my family will be worthy of you. I love you Goyo. I miss you Gueltio. I can't wait to see you again!

Samuel Alba Cruz

November 25, 1919-May 18, 2011

"While we were watching round her bed,
She turned her eyes and looked away,
Saw what we couldn't see;
She saw Old Death. She saw old Death
Come like a falling star
But Death didn't frighten Sister Caroline;
He looked to her like a welcome friend.
And she whispered to us: I'm going home,
And she smiled and closed her eyes.

And Death took her up like a baby,
And she lay in his icy arms,
But she didn't feel no chill.
And death began to ride again--
Up beyond the evening star,
Into the glittering light of glory,
On to the Great White Throne.
And there he laid Sister Caroline
On the loving breast of Jesus.

And Jesus took his own hand and wiped away her tears,
And he smoothed the furrows from her face,
And the angels sang a little song,
And Jesus rocked her in his arms,
And kept a-saying: Take your rest,
Take your rest.

Weep not--weep not,
She is not dead;
She's resting in the bosom of Jesus. "
~James Weldon Johnson