Grandma Dora Epitomizing The Diaz Strength
By Connie Medel © The Diaz Observer, December 2005
It seems only fitting to reflect on my Grandma Teodora during the holiday season. After all her birthday finishes out another year, as she was born on Dec. 31, 1921, yet it is my memories of her wonderfully decorated house full of family and food that truly stands out.
Christmas at Grandma’s was always filled wall to wall with people, yet I always found a spot by Granny so she could give me the biggest hug. She would tell me how pretty I was. I’m sure she did that for all the other girls, but at that moment I felt like I was the princess.
When I was around 10-years-old, I went to live with Granny and my Papa Willy for a while. Helping granny in the kitchen was the most fun. I would help her make tortillas and bake cakes. I used to love licking the beaters full of left-over-frosting that she made from scratch. Oh, and the roses she made out of frosting, she always had at least one that she would mess up.
“Well, I guess you’ll just have to eat this one!” she would say.
During the spring and summer I would help her plant her flowers and watch her prune her roses. The fall and winter, Granny would always catch up on her sewing and crocheting. I remember the first granny square that I finished all by myself. I think Grandma was surprised that I actually completed one.
Granny would let me feed the cats and gather eggs from the hens. We always went to church together. I NEVER wanted my hair combed, but with Grandma somehow it was okay for her to curl my hair with pins or strips of material.
After school, Granny would always tell Grandpa to change the channel from Jacques Cousteau to cartoons for me. She used to sneak me Grandpa’s flashlight to go up stairs at night. I don’t know if anyone remembers how the upstairs looked in the 70’s - but it was scary. You had to walk all the way upstairs before you could turn on a light. And who could forget how Grandma would yell “William” - you just knew Grandpa was in trouble then. During this time, Granny was my comfort. She never let me feel like I was alone.
Time went by and I had a family of my own. Often times, my tias and tios would tell me stories about my grandma - I couldn’t believe some of the things they would tell me! Not my grandma! (wink). I grew up thinking my Grandpa was the head rooster of the coop - turns out it was Granny who crowed the loudest. Everything that Granny taught me about life (or what I learned about her life) prepared me for things yet to come.
When my dad became ill, Granny and I became even closer. I often wondered how I was going to explain to her what was happening to my dad without totally breaking her heart. What I didn’t know is that Grandma had a crystal ball that she was looking through - the Lord had been guiding her all the way. Granny never questioned the decisions my dad and I made about his care. That is when I knew my grandma saw me as a woman and not as a little girl anymore. Even when I tried to explain myself on situations that came up during her visits to Texas, she would just tell me, “Mija, I know that you are doing your best and everything will be okay.” How wonderful it is to be acknowledged by your grandmother!
I remember the first time I saw Grandma after my dad passed away. I snuck into the house and fell asleep on the sofa. I heard her asking who was on the sofa and started to get up. When she realized it was me, she nearly pinned me to the sofa! I dare anyone to say that Granny is not as strong as she used to be. She epitomizes the Diaz women’s strength.
Grandma, I just want you to know how much I love you and appreciate all the things you have taught me. I miss watching Laura with you and going to Bingo. I, as well as all of your grandchildren, am TRULY BLESSED to be able to call you grandma. Connie Michelle
The Meaning of the name Theodora: Greek - a gift from God.
Quite fitting isn’t it?
Christmas at Grandma’s was always filled wall to wall with people, yet I always found a spot by Granny so she could give me the biggest hug. She would tell me how pretty I was. I’m sure she did that for all the other girls, but at that moment I felt like I was the princess.
When I was around 10-years-old, I went to live with Granny and my Papa Willy for a while. Helping granny in the kitchen was the most fun. I would help her make tortillas and bake cakes. I used to love licking the beaters full of left-over-frosting that she made from scratch. Oh, and the roses she made out of frosting, she always had at least one that she would mess up.
“Well, I guess you’ll just have to eat this one!” she would say.
During the spring and summer I would help her plant her flowers and watch her prune her roses. The fall and winter, Granny would always catch up on her sewing and crocheting. I remember the first granny square that I finished all by myself. I think Grandma was surprised that I actually completed one.
Granny would let me feed the cats and gather eggs from the hens. We always went to church together. I NEVER wanted my hair combed, but with Grandma somehow it was okay for her to curl my hair with pins or strips of material.
After school, Granny would always tell Grandpa to change the channel from Jacques Cousteau to cartoons for me. She used to sneak me Grandpa’s flashlight to go up stairs at night. I don’t know if anyone remembers how the upstairs looked in the 70’s - but it was scary. You had to walk all the way upstairs before you could turn on a light. And who could forget how Grandma would yell “William” - you just knew Grandpa was in trouble then. During this time, Granny was my comfort. She never let me feel like I was alone.
Time went by and I had a family of my own. Often times, my tias and tios would tell me stories about my grandma - I couldn’t believe some of the things they would tell me! Not my grandma! (wink). I grew up thinking my Grandpa was the head rooster of the coop - turns out it was Granny who crowed the loudest. Everything that Granny taught me about life (or what I learned about her life) prepared me for things yet to come.
When my dad became ill, Granny and I became even closer. I often wondered how I was going to explain to her what was happening to my dad without totally breaking her heart. What I didn’t know is that Grandma had a crystal ball that she was looking through - the Lord had been guiding her all the way. Granny never questioned the decisions my dad and I made about his care. That is when I knew my grandma saw me as a woman and not as a little girl anymore. Even when I tried to explain myself on situations that came up during her visits to Texas, she would just tell me, “Mija, I know that you are doing your best and everything will be okay.” How wonderful it is to be acknowledged by your grandmother!
I remember the first time I saw Grandma after my dad passed away. I snuck into the house and fell asleep on the sofa. I heard her asking who was on the sofa and started to get up. When she realized it was me, she nearly pinned me to the sofa! I dare anyone to say that Granny is not as strong as she used to be. She epitomizes the Diaz women’s strength.
Grandma, I just want you to know how much I love you and appreciate all the things you have taught me. I miss watching Laura with you and going to Bingo. I, as well as all of your grandchildren, am TRULY BLESSED to be able to call you grandma. Connie Michelle
The Meaning of the name Theodora: Greek - a gift from God.
Quite fitting isn’t it?
Celebrating Tia Dora's 90th Birthday