Vicky Garcia

Nunca pensé que algún día me iba a tener que sentar a pensar en escribir algo dedicado a mi tía Lili sin que ella estuviese acá para leerlo, todavía no creo que no esté, me cuesta. Ella se las ingenió para, a pesar de la distancia, estar siempre presente en mi vida, fue y es una mujer para admirar, a mi me pasó eso desde que tengo recuerdo, vi siempre en ella una mujer que pudo con mucho, que supo sostener y avanzar, en un país que no era el suyo, con un lenguaje y formas de vida tan distintas, lejos de su familia en principio, pudo formar la suya maravillosamente.

Nunca la escuché decir nada malo de nadie, siempre viendo lo lindo, lo positivo, ella siempre tenía mucho que contar pero también sabía escuchar muy bien. Era una buena compañía, con ella no te aburrías nunca. Tuve el placer de compartir muchos días en convivencia, siempre era una alegría que viniera a vernos, y además era una alegría verla tan feliz a pesar de que venía en verano con un calor y una humedad espantosas, el caos de esta ciudad, la gente los perros los autos el ruido el calor, todo es un desorden acá, pero ella parecía estar feliz de compartir con nosotros, le gustaba comer rico, siempre que venía nos decía ay nena me voy a ir con 10 kilos más si sigo comiendo, entonces los últimos días comía sólo pollo, no más sándwiches!

Era muy graciosa mi tía, compañera, siempre nos habló de la importancia de estudiar y usa el “brain” nos daban risa sus mezclas de palabras.

Te voy a extrañar toda mi vida Tía, agradezco haberte disfrutado lo que pude, fuiste y sos un ejemplo para mi, una mujer fuerte y determinada, estoy segura que en ningún lugar pasabas desapercibida y que fuiste muy muy querida, acá lo sos y nunca te vamos a olvidar. 

Hay una escritora que me gusta mucho, Joan Didion, que cuando murió su marido escribió: “Te falta sólo una persona, y el mundo entero está vacío….” Es increíble pero así me sentí cuando me enteré de esto que todavía ni puedo nombrar. Es muy difícil pensar que ya no estás o al menos no como antes, pero pienso en esto que leí hace un tiempo y me pareció maravilloso y me siento mejor así que lo comparto: Cuando se pierde a alguien, primero se extraña y después se entraña, la llevamos adentro, pasa a ser parte nuestra. El amor es para siempre. Hasta que nos volvamos a encontrar. 

Te quiere para siempre, tu sobrina Vicky.

I never thought that one day I would have to sit down and think about writing something dedicated to my aunt Lili without her being here to read it. I still don't think she's not there; it's hard for me. She managed to, despite the distance, always be present in my life. She was and is a woman to admire. Since I can remember, I always saw in her a woman who could handle a lot, who knew how to persevere and progress. Even while in a country that was not her own, with such a different language and ways of life and far from her family, she was able to form her own wonderfully well.

I never heard her say anything bad about anyone. She always saw the beautiful and the positive. She always had a lot to tell but she also knew how to listen very well. She was good company: with her you never got bored. I had the pleasure of sharing many days together. It was always a joy when she came to see us, and it was also a joy to see her so happy despite the fact that she came in the summer with terrible heat and humidity, the chaos of our city, the people, the dogs, the cars, the noise, the heat--everything is a mess here--but she seemed happy to experience it all with us. She liked to eat delicious food, and whenever she visited she would tell us “I'm going to leave with 10 more kilos if I keep eating!” So during her final days in Rosario she would only eat chicken and no more sandwiches!

She was very funny. As my aunt and she was also my partner. She always told us about the importance of studying and using the “brain.” Her unique mixture of words made us laugh.

I am going to miss you all my life, Aunt. I appreciate having enjoyed what I could alongside you. You were and still are an example to me of a strong and determined woman. I am sure that you did not go unnoticed anywhere and that you were very, very loved. Here you are loved and we will never forget you.

There is a writer that I really like, Joan Didion, who wrote the following when her husband died: “Even though you are missing only one person, the whole world feels empty….” It's incredible but that's how I felt when I found out about this, which I still can't even name. It is very difficult to think that you are no longer here, or at least not like before. I am reminded about something I read a while ago that I thought was wonderful, and it made me feel better so I will share it: “When you lose someone, first you miss them and then you internalize them, bringing them inside of yourself, so they become part of you. Love is forever. Until we meet again, I will love you forever.

Your niece, Vicky.