m a r i s s a

we say our goodbyes to my favorite viejo this week. to put it plainly, my grandpa jimmy was anything but ordinary. we talked every friday about who/what was getting on our nerves that week, stories from his past, and filled each other in on the family chisme. he loved being on the road in his 18-wheeler, eating banana splits when he wasn’t supposed to, sitting on the porch with a cigarette, and spreading lies and misinformation to the family simply because he wanted a laugh. he was a character who could make friends with anyone, and knew how to crack the most inappropriate joke at the best time. he kept me on my toes and would end every conversation with “and remember mija, don’t take no shit from anybody” then swiftly hang up the phone.

my grandpa jimmy was a crazy, cool old man who i loved and will miss for the rest of my life. i hope he’s somewhere enjoying a long drive, a good smoke, and humming along to johnny cash with my momo in the passenger seat.

i love you, viejo. i won’t take no shit from anybody.