“Took My Breath Away”

So, I have been bummed out since learning Friday about my uncle Rey’s passing. My cousin, Reyna, called my Mom and we both spoke to her on speakerphone. Hearing her voice with her Texan accent reminded me of being young. I have SO many fond memories of being there and my Dad was happiest when he was in Texas! I told Reyna that I had been there maybe four or five times in my life and her family made a HUGE impression on me!

So, yesterday I was with my Mom when she ordered flowers for his funeral. Visitation was today. I was thinking about Reyna‘s Texas accent this morning and that picture I have of both my aunt Olga and uncle Rey. I scrolled through Facebook as I was trying to get my bearings about me and wake up when I saw this picture:

My Tïa Alma wrote this post and included this picture of my aunt Olga and uncle Rey. I gasped and seeing this picture took my breath away. I was either 6 or 7 when I was first introduced to my relatives in Texas. And Olga is my Dad’s aunt. She is my grandpa’s sister. Seeing this picture took my breath away because I am seeing their faces. The one I have that I snuck taking in church is of their backs but is uncle Ray’s arm around her and her leaning in shows so much they were in love. They are together now.

My Mom called the funeral home today to make sure the flowers were delivered and hearing the Texas accent again made me smile. The man who answered the phone told us they were delivered and later in the evening, both of my cousins (their daughters) thanked my Mom for the flowers, told her how beautiful day were, and texted her pictures:

The woman we spoke with on Saturday did a wonderful job arranging the flowers! Seeing the arrangement’s beauty and with my aunt and uncle’s picture in my mind, it still takes my breath away and I can’t seem to get this song out of my head: