Tracy Andraya

Today we laid my grandmother to rest. This is a time we all know is coming and expect, and yet we are never truly prepared for it. My grandmother lived 95 beautiful, full years and impacted the lives of three generations.

We used to joke that she never said the words “I love you.” She would always respond “yo también” when we said it to her. I never stopped giving her a hard time about that. But the one thing I know for absolute certain is how deeply she loved every person in her family.

In the 95 years this earth had the privilege of having her, she created a legacy you don’t see often: a strong family rooted in loyalty, one that protects each other fiercely, lifts each other up in difficult moments, and most importantly, genuinely likes each other. Cousins who grew up like siblings, a bond that is rare and beautiful.

Her love may never have been spoken through words, but it was loud in her actions. It resonated through the three generations after her and created something truly magical. That is who she was. She was magic. She was once in a lifetime. She did not speak about love. She lived it. She embodied it in everything she did. Every move she made was a selfless act of love.
While this is a tremendous loss for my family, we take comfort in knowing that she is no longer in pain and that she has found peace. I pray that in the coming weeks, the pain we feel when we think of her begins to feel more like a warm hug.

I am so blessed to have been raised by such an incredible woman, who in turn raised my mom, my aunts, and my uncle to be some of the most kind-hearted, loving, and beautiful people I know. I love them more than words can express. I hope I can be even the tiniest bit like her and make her proud. I hope my love for my family continues her legacy.

Te quiero mucho, Mimi, y nunca dejaré de decirlo, como tú nunca dejaste de sacrificarte por esta familia.
Rezo para que hayas encontrado paz y que tú y el amor de tu vida, abuelo, estén bailando en el cielo.

2016 dump 🥹 lowkey wanna go back lol. #2016