I was about three years old when I first met Genoveva. I never had much of a relationship with my biological mother so naturally growing up I found myself trying to define what a mother was. Over the years I would come to realize that Eva was the real definition of a mother. She was a selfless person who always put family first, an honest person, not of many words but of action. She was always there for me through the good times and bad.

When Eva was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer it was a tremendous blow to our family. We all did what we could to help her, but now I realize she was also helping us. Not a day went by that she didn’t tell me she loved me which wasn’t something we always said to each other so it was very special to me. That is the kind of person she was, again putting my feelings before her own. She was a courageous woman who had a strong faith and truly was not afraid to die. She left us with that example of faith and courage and I could only hope to exemplify her when my time comes.

I miss her deeply and as I watch my son grow I miss her even more. She was grandmother to my son for only a short time but I got a glimpse of the special relationship they would have had. Still I am able to move forward in life because of the courage she helped instill in me and the faith she helped instill in me tells me I will see her again.

-Papo