Today we are gathered to recognize the life of caring woman. To many, she was Dr. Carmen Mateo or just Carmen, and to a few of us she was Carmencita (Mari Carmen to her sister who just arrived from Spain), or mom to my brother Daniel and I.
She was and still is an inspiration to us all, with her kindness, grace and strength.
She was selfless always putting everyone first, whether it was a stranger, a patient, or her family. As she would say, lo mas feito para mi. Carmen was full of love for the world, always wanting to take care of everyone. She touched the lives of all the patients she encountered while at NIH and in her everyday life. She was the type of person that you would meet once, and after a lengthy conversation, oh how my mother could talk, would make you feel like you were special.
She is unforgettable; her inner beauty always radiating through her twinkling eyes and quirky smile. She had this aura of energy surrounding her that captivated others around her. She was charming and funny in her own very foreign uniquely Carmen way. She was always true to herself and proud of it despite what others may think. She was Carmen, and Carmen did things her own way, which was of course the only right way, I eventually learned.
She is possibly the bravest brave woman I know. She came from humble origins, the daughter of a working class farmer in Southern Spain and against all odds of time and place pursued a PhD in Clinical Psychology and an M.D. in Spain. To pursue a career in biomedical research she left everything she knew behind to live out her dreams here in America. She has always been a warrior and even in her toughest times she was filled with determination, hope, and life.
She is a hero to us all, but especially to us, her family. She is the main reason, we are who we are today and is the foundation of our futures. She taught us to work hard, to shoot for the stars, and never give up on our dreams. And like her, I hope to achieve everything and more in my life, this much I owe to her. She taught me the importance of patience and grace, and how a positive attitude can change ones life. She has also taught me to love myself and believe in everything that I am. Because of her, I have learned that our life is a precious thing that we must treasure, as well as everything that composes it, for without each component we are incomplete.
Though she was taken away from us too soon, I know she will always be with us in our minds and hearts. She is resting peacefully in the eternal light as the brilliant spark she will always be. Carmen, we miss you and love you so much, but I know we will meet again someday.
So as you would often say, hasta la vista baby.
Maria del Carmen Mateo Navarro
6.9.1952 - 8.11.2011
Me ha emocionado lo que has escrito de tu madre, sobre todo la parte que hablas de su fuerza y de sus ojos chispeantes.Será porque esa es la imagen que yo tengo de ella de cuando éramos amigas de la adolescencia en Callosa y compañeras de estudio.
ReplyDeleteUn saludo. Ana.