GABRIELLA: The Heroine of God

Gabriella

" ¡Hija! " (Daughter!)

" ¡Hija! " (Daughter!)

I was peacefully sitting on the rocking chair on my porch when I turn my gaze to the voice which seems to be calling for my attention. Then I see Dulce, the old neighboring woman who have assisted me along with her husband when I was unconscious. How could I not remember?

I stood up from the furniture I was sitting on and walked down across the neighborhood to visit my elderly acquaintance who seemed to be around her late 60's.

" Buen dia " (Good day)  I greeted the woman as I had no idea how to address her nor start the conversation, so this was the safest.

" Buen dia tambien, hija " (Good day to you too, Daughter)  Dulce replies with her signature sweet smile which always appears to be very warming.

" Me muero por preguntarte esto, pero ¿cuál es tu nombre? " ( I have been dying to ask you this, but what is your name?) The old woman still looking at me with her warming smile asks curiously.

" Perdóname por no preguntar antes " (Forgive me for not asking any sooner) Truly, indeed. Our first encounter as neighbors was when I lost consciousness for a bit.

" No, no lo pienses " (No, don't think about it) I assured the woman as she always seems to be tensed.

" Gabriella; Gabriella Hernandez " I finally say my name to the curious woman.

" Dedicada a Dios " (Devoted to God) says Gregorio, as he finally comes out of the house and stands at the front yard near us.

" ¡Gregorio! ¡Mi amor! " (Gregorio! My love!)  Dulce's tone rises as her husband enters the scene.

" Heroina de Dios, Heroine of God in Italian language, hija " Gregorio says the phrase he had said, but this time, he averts his gaze to me.

" ¿Si? " (Yes) I do not understand what he was trying to mean, nor comprehend it.

" Your name, hija, it means 'devoted to God' in Hebrew " Gregorio finally made sense.

" ¿Como lo sabes? " (How do you know?) I asked since I was genuinely curious.

Although loving my parents unconditionally, asking them the reason behind my name was never a question that popped up in my mind when speaking to them. I wasn't the curious kid when I was a young child. I was more laidback and go-with-the-flow.

Gregorio faces Dulce and gave his wife a little smile as I questioned.

" Nuestra difunta tambien hija se llamaba Gabriella " (Our late daughter was named Gabriella too) The sadness in Gregorio's eyes is lucid. It's as if you can read it.

" Desafortunadamente, no pudo salir del útero de su madre. " (Unfortunately, she couldn't make it out of her mother's womb) I turn to look at Dulce as I assume her to be the mother who couldn't give birth to the child.

" Siento mucho tu perdida " (I am so sorry for your loss) Empathy is what I can feel for this couple. It is hard losing a beloved.

" Despues de todo, el plan de Dios " (It was God's plan after all)

For all I know, the couple standing in front of me are big believers of the Catholic church, and to me it is fascinating.

I don't describe myself as a religious person, although the idea of having a god doesn't disturb me too. And the letter I just received from the Sisters of Santa Rosa de Lima was truly heart-warming. But I don't think I am ready for the life of a widowed woman in a convent as a nun, someone who dedicates her life to religious service.

" Esta mañana, recibí una carta de las Sisters of Santa Rosa de Lima. " (Earlier this morning, I received a letter from the Sisters of Santa Rosa de Lima) It was my time to initiate a conversation as there was a short silence formerly.

" Dijeron que ofrecen ayuda espiritual a mujeres viudas " (They mentioned offering spiritual aid to widowed women) I cross my arms as I continue while thinking of my potential decision.

The couple looks at me with intrigued eyes as I tell them my story. They seem to be very happy concerning what they heard.

" Pero... " (But...) I state in a prolonged manner.

" ¿Pero? " (But?) Dulce questions with an interrogating look.

" Pero no creo que esté lista para esto " (But I don't think I would be ready for this)

" No lo sé, es como si mi esposo falleciera ayer y mis padres el otro día. Todo me parece tan rápido. No podía seguir el ritmo. " (I don't know, it's just like, my husband passed away yesterday, and my parents on the other day. Everything just seems so fast-paced to me. I couldn't keep up.)

Things got emotional as I mention my husband's death and the couple wasn't blind to notice that I was starting to get teary. They looked at each other and pulled me in their embrace. Their action made me cry harder. No words were needed.

The last embrace I got was when I wished my husband a safe trip for work. I could also remember very well how he assured me that he would. But things don't always work out the way you wish they were. Life had to have so many twists and turns. So then I found out that his life was taken away by a larger vehicle, versus the motorcycle which he got to compensate for the second-hand house we were buying.

He was the epitome of life's greatest surprises.