My Father-in-Law, Mr Magdaleno Ybarra, was transferred to a hospice facility last night. The family is making arrangements and relatives are put on alert.
I, myself, am at work, but ready to leave at a moments notice.
This is a man who, by the worlds standards, never had a lot. He worked hard all his life and provided for his family. Of all the great stories I have been told about him, none involve letting his family go without.
When I met him he had already suffered a stroke and a heart attack. It was the second stroke that has led him to where he is now.
I am collecting stories about him. I know his life story is one you would never forget.
Like how he always slipped a tortilla chip into the hot sauce at restaurants to let it soften.
Like how he mistook a pair of hemostats, small clamps that look like scissors, for scissors, and needed help to remove them when he tried to trim his eyebrow.
Or how he would insist on buying lunch for you when you did him a favor- or simply when the mood hit him.
Or, how he gave me the hat off his head. Which is, as his family tells me, a sure sign of love and respect.
As I said before, he never was a rich man, by the worlds standards. But, he is surrounded by family that love him- can there be a richer man?
Like I said, my heart is heavy.
Becerro, or "yearling bull," was his nickname through the years, and for good reason.
You will hear more about this incredible man.
But, for now ...
Adios, Becerro.
Ken McCreless is just a guy who loves to write. No dazzling website or publishing milestones, just a love for words and a respect for the power they wield. Contact him at ken@kenmccreless.com
it's funny, i remember as a young child, waiting desperately to be a teen, then i couldn't wait to be 21, then i hit my 30's, and i had lost 2 grandmothers, an uncle, several great aunts and uncles, 2 great grandparents, and my mom. my dad passed in 2001. we all want to hurry up and grow up, but there are some sad and rough times that come around that are hard on the heart and soul, let alone mind.
pain will linger, and for that, i am sorry. however, time heals all wounds...
Ken~ Thank you for sharing this with us. Sending prayers of love to you and your family. Please try to remember: El Becerro lived with grace and love, and so he shall make his next choices in the same way. Count yourself blessed to have had the time you've had, and know that he goes wherever he goes next in God's love.
I look forward to reading more about El Becerro. I pray for your peace and that of your extended family. We know no matter where he is in his mental state, God is with him.
You have my sympathies, Ken, and I am sure you are richer for knowing someone as you describe. Life would be almost pointless without these kinds of people we consider signposts. Thanks for sharing.
As you know, I attend many funerals, and listen to the stories of those who have fond memories of the dearly departed. I often go away from the service feeling as if, in some way, I knew the person spoken of. So it is with your article. Thanks for sharing.
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