In loving memory of Mario and Antoinette Romero

The grass stretches gallantly.  Mario walks through to the other side after a big, confusing blaze and above the twisted metal on Earth.  The highways called him and he came to its beckoning call.  Riding high, riding free like a bird flying and flapping into the beautiful blue sky.  Doves were released from the hands of his loved ones on September 12th, 2013.

There’s a quiet sense that envelops the place like a quiet calm after a storm.  It’s so empty here but not in a spooky way.  It’s empty like it was meant to be a private meeting place.  It was put together with care and love.  It was a place emptied out for a reason: a place for Mario to come home to and see his little sister.  Here, they meet for what seems like the first time ever.  Here, they hug for what seems like the first time ever.  Here, they sit and stare into each other’s eyes because they missed each other.

There’s Mario’s favorite music hanging over the air – in the background.  He listens quietly and wonders what this is all about.  All of his life, he fought when needed and now he has found peace forever.  He feels his sister’s hand and it is really her hand: his own sister, his own flesh and blood.  He remembers all of the comings and goings on Earth and how he told his little sister that blood runs thicker than water.  She sits patiently trying to make sense of his bewildered look.  He has the look of a man who was interrupted from his life’s mission of building a family of his own.  Tonight, he is with his little sister, sitting around, talking like old times.

Antoinette had her look that she had – her hair down to her shoulders, her eyes brown and unwavering.  Her attention was zeroed in on her brother’s gaze.  He has only been in heaven for a couple of weeks now having been lost on September 4th, 2013.  His mind is still caught on earthly things.  He misses the food, the sounds, the laughter, the jokes, the drama, and the stories.  Antoinette caresses his arm and explains that heaven is a place to regain your senses after the trauma of life and before going back to Earth.  She said this ruefully of course.

The trees lined up endlessly like the mountains in Maine.  The sky blazed and cooled like the sky on Earth.  God didn't create man or woman exactly in God’s image – God created heaven in the image of the Earth.  To make it peaceful, God cut out the pain, hostility and jealousy.  He made heaven shine like the Chicago skyline.

The place has pristine rugs lined through its halls.  It is a mansion with seemingly endless couches lined up in preparation of a big celebration.  The music comes from another room and sounds so crisp like a live band is going through its sheets of notes and playing.  The thought came to them: they left everything behind and no one could ever get to them again, anymore.  In heaven, there are no stars, no money, no more stares, and sneers, and jeers, and doubters and enemies.  In heaven, there are only families and kinship.  In heaven, there are legends and myths that have been restored.  In heaven, ransacked museums are restored.  In heaven, war-torn countries are put back together.  In heaven, the ideal is living, vibrant, and tangible.  In heaven, Martin Luther King Jr. is not murdered by a wicked man.  In heaven, the Devil came and went taking with it, the system, and its kin.

Mario talks to his sister about the last few years that he spent away from her on Earth.  He paused in front of the mirror stretched above the fireplace.  He looks at his sister intently not believing what he sees.  She is alive, and beautiful, and happy, and pensive, and alive with laughter in her eyes, giggling.  He asks her where she has been all this time.  He asks her if she finally did the things she wanted to do.  He asks her what she misses most about him.  He asks why she left him all alone, for all of those years to be without his baby sister.  She told him that it just happens – some unfortunate event strikes at an inopportune time and like a blink, we’re gone.  She pointed out that some suffer for years without relief.  She pointed out that not all are welcomed in this mansion.  She pointed out that some questions never get answered like some prayers on Earth.

Mario watches his sister walk away from him to check something in the other room.  There was movement around her.  The clothes she wore had beautiful colors.  Her hair was straight and well taken care of like she spent days preparing for Mario’s ascent to heaven.  She did.  She knew from his gravestone that he would die on September 4th, 2013 and so she prepared for his ascent.  The mansion was tidy and taken care of.  The candles were lit.  The life was restored in her cheeks.  She looked wonderful and happy for she knew that Mario would be back in her life.

Mario and Antoinette sit down by a fire and make small talk, exchanging pleasantries.  He calls her that name he called her growing up.  She looks on in awe at her handsome brother.  They joke and talk and stop to take a breath after laughing so hard.  They sob and console each other until the sun comes up.  He talks about cutting hair and driving his motorcycle.  She listens intently.  She speaks and her voice cascades down the hallway stirring the heavens and waking the dead.  Antoinette meets her brother in heaven, and the night is complete.

Tony Romero
9/18/2013 03:23:11 am

Thank you form his big brother and family. We will forever miss them.

Romero Family

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JANICE CARDENAS
9/18/2013 03:41:31 am

I AM SO BLESSED TO HAVE THIS POSTED. I AM THE PROUD MOTHER OF MARIO AND ANTOINETTE. THIS HELPS ME SO MUCH IN MY GRIEVING AND KNOWING THEY ARE TRULY TOGETHER JUST AS MY THOUGHTS TOLD ME EVEN THOUGH I AM IN PAIN, I KNOW WE WILL ALL BE TOGETHER AGAIN. THANK YOU SO MUCH. IT IS AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL AND I KNOW IT IS SENT FOR MY EYES TO READ FROM HEAVEN ABOVE.

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Selim
9/18/2013 03:47:37 am

Thank you for the nice comments. I'm incredibly sorry for your loss. I grew up with Saul, Rudy, and Mando and they would always talk so lovingly about their two beloved cousins. I hope that your family finds peace and a space to heal.

Selim

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yesenia de luna
9/18/2013 06:26:18 am

This is beautiful! Although we miss him and need him here I know now he's at peace! He will forever be in our hearts. We love you daddy always and forever Yesenia
Mario and Mia Romero <3

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Vena lindop
9/18/2013 08:36:47 am

Beautiful..... Comforting words. They are together forever

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Celena Galindo
9/18/2013 01:51:13 pm

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Celena Galindo
9/18/2013 01:57:02 pm

:'( BEAUTIFUL.... I MISS BOTH MY COUSINS SOO MUCH... I KNOW WILL SEE EACH OTHER SOON I LOVE YOU CUZINS I MISS SEEING THOSE BIG SMILES... ❤❤❤ THANK YOU FOR THESE BEAUTFIUL WORDS ♥♥♥ ANGELS IN HEAVEN

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Maggie Romero
9/18/2013 03:56:17 pm

Beautiful and so real...

Thank you

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Selim
9/18/2013 09:40:25 pm

I'm so happy about the positive feedback from Mario and Antoinette's family and to all who have visited my blog. May peace be with you all.

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Kristi Quintana
9/19/2013 08:16:11 am

How comforting this story is...so beautiful and real. Thank you for sharing!! Mario and Antoinette will be missed so much by so many. May they Rest in Peace together brother and sister.

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Aaron Winter
9/19/2013 12:23:27 pm

Beautiful, & thank you.

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    Author

    Selim Bouhamidi Sketches: Selim's blog. 
     
    Who am I?  
    Writer and thinker, Urban Planner and Anthropologist.  Lover of sports, movies, and music.  Had to get lost a couple of times to find my way but I am home every step I take.    

    What are sketches?
    These are sketches, portraits, graceful words about the grace all around us.  I want to show you this world through my eyes.  These are all working pieces because I am a work in progress or constantly working.  These aren't meant to be perfect.  Sometimes I write out every emotion I have even if they mess with my readers.  I am who I am.  These are the thoughts that keep me up at night.

    I love Magpie and J.

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