*****For those of you who read my first novel Angels I’ve Met Along the Way, this is a chapter entry from book #2 of a trilogy.  I invite you to read, enjoy, and  join my blog). 

Having woken up just a  while ago, Sadie goes about her morning routine as she grieves the loss of her brother-in-law Willie. A few days ago, after a short illness, at almost 81 years of age, he transitioned to a brand new world.  One without pain, without fear, and without the turmoil that 2020 has put the world through.    In the last few years since their reunion and more so since her parents died, he had become like a father figure to her.  He, being one of her oldest brothers-in-law and the one that she had been traveling to Europe with,  was dear to her from the start.  His love of sports, gambling on his horses, and intelligent conversations was endearing.    Chuckling to herself, she recalls the last conversation they had about President Trump winning this year’s heated presidential election.

Today is October 21st and the election is but a mere handful of days away.  Laying in his hospital bed that day,  he told her, “Trump is going to win, he’s making more noise!”  Willie always had a way with words.  He didn’t mince them much and spoke his truth in a way that only he could. “Being from New Mexico,” he would say, “we tell it like it is,” with a twinkle in his eyes.     It was not unusual for Willie to go up to strangers at the airport, at restaurants, at his beloved racetracks (wherever he might be) and begin and hold a long conversation.  Today, Sadie is positive that if he had ever met President Trump, he would’ve also captivated his attention.  He just had that uncanny ability to do that!   She smiles softly as her heart rejoices at the thought of their last words to each other: “I love you.”

Sadie will keep her sister Maricela in her heart and daily pray that she be filled with the Holy Spirit so her grieving will be without much anguish. We all grieve differently; yet after 50 years of “healthy arguing,” as she put it, it will no doubt be hard on her.  Maricela knows that she has the love of her sisters and brother to fall towards as needed.

Sadie smiles and looks about her kitchen.  She will eventually share this last story with her sisters because you see, Sadie and Willie are about the only conservative Republicans in their immediate family as far as she knows.  Chucking to herself, she murmurs “We might be the only two Republicans in the family, unless there are a few ‘closet’ ones!” That would be another story for another day, she thinks.

As just like that, a murmuring nudges her and she remembers the series Bolivar, a Netflix account of Simon Bolivar.  It was indeed the “patriotas” who were fighting for liberation from the Spanish rulers.  Could she too be one of those “patriotas” traversing the Andes, swishing across the swamps of Venezuela and  walking hundreds of miles as they marched to end their oppresion!  Today, many consider Bolivar to be the George Washington of South America.   A liberator.  Could she be like “Manuelita, ” his partner of 8 years before his untimely death at 48 from turberculosis? Doesn’t her wild heart still beat today and she is  not afraid to speak her truth despite what people might think of her choices?  She, like they,  believe in “We the People,” not “We the Government!”

This has been an election like no other in her life time.  The country is divided, there is a lot of misinformation out there in the airways, and there is so much bias against Trump that Sadie at times will retreat to her study and shake her head as the millions begin to go out to vote.  But are they voting for the platform or are they voting against our current president? Are they getting the “full picture” or a skewed one in favor of a society that will be ruled by a party that believes in what appears to be a socialist government agenda? Trump,  a man who is clearly not a politician, has undoubtedly  done more for this country in the last 3.5 years than Biden has done in his 47 years of being in Washington.  Still, Trump’s name has been smeared by some “fake-news journalists” and the poor guy can’t seem to lay his head on the pillow without the media saying he is hurting that pillow.

Sadie chuckles and shakes her head and doesn’t dwell on this nonsense since she knows what she believes in despite the masses’ cries.   Her parents, also having been through turmoil in Ireland as teenagers growing up, instilled in her and raised her to be a strong, courageous, and brave-hearted soul!  Her heart cannot be tamed, her heart cannot be jaded and she will vote conservatively this year.  She will be “Manuelita!” Hmmmmm.

But yes, she is grieving the loss of her brother-in-law.  She knows that he is an angel in heaven now running around his favorite racetracks or talking up a storm with his loved ones who were ecstatic to see him!   Sadie is now more than ever, realizing how similar she and her sisters really are.  She recalls that fateful day when she found out she had sisters and she is overjoyed with emotions.   They are all grieving together and daily their texts are positive, uplifting, and thankful that Willie is no longer suffering.  2020 has clearly been a year of many trials and tribulations, several painful losses; but together as a family, they are pulling through and eventually will be stronger!

They, being true Christians,  know that God will never leave them nor forsake them.  The music upstairs reminds her, oh yes, that beautiful music where God reminds her, “I am that I am…Trust me dear Child…come to me when you are weary and tired.  Just Believe!”

Reaching out for her journal, she begins a poem:

“A Question for You, Jesus”

As I sit and meander through the lily fields of my mind…I see you Jesus.

Rolling around in the sand of my heart.

Sharing your peace with me…praying it reaches my sister.

Why is my hurt for her deeper than it is for me Jesus?

(and just like that,  as if on cue, her sister texts a picture of her beloved husband) (wow)

Oceans-a-plenty, heart-shaped snapshots of our travels together. 

Seeing us three walk along marvelous, picturesque shores and mountains.

Experiencing our long journeys to  foreign, quaint villages together…soaking it all in. 

Riding the waves of newness, sunsets that leave you breathless, and mornings that inspire love stories.  

Longing to one day do it again without hesitation.  

Together with you Jesus. 

Sadie begins to sob slowly and she knows that her heart is grieving also.  She will miss him dearly; yet she knows that she will see him again one fine day.  She finds relief in knowing that he is with his family, her family, those that have gone before her and most importantly she is with “that man Jesus,” as he called him.  Sadie’s heart smiles.