You’re difficult, you’re hard headed, you’re a little bit crazy, but that never stopped us from loving you. You’re quick witted, you’re hilarious, you’re beautiful. Olga Perez De Cardenas, you suffered a lot in your lifetime, from your mother's passing to your struggle with mental illness and your three boys always starting up trouble, but that never stopped you from loving all of us. Though you showed your love in a variety of ways, we never went a day without knowing of your love.
If there's anything that we could take out of your life, it's your spunk. Not once did I ever see you without having something slick to say or talking about your Pan Am stewardess days, or saying how Tato was a pain in your butt (when we all know it was the other way around.) You loved watching us grow into adults, but I think you loved your tubs of ice cream a little bit more.
You loved making us breakfast in the morning, even if you got overwhelmed with all your grandchildren. You always cut up the microwaved pancakes and served them in bed on a fancy tray. You had an endless supply of those Wild! Berry Pop-Tarts ready for us when we came back from playing in the park across the lake. We never watched so many movies before unless we were at your house. Jorgie learned how to fish at that house, I learned how to play with makeup, Cristy learned how to lift her leg in the air and think it was a cart wheel and Nicole learned how to be the favorite child.
Without you, Wiwi, where would we have our sleepovers? Where would we run around the block without shoes or a worry in the world? Who would take us to the movies every Saturday just to spend time with us? This family wouldn’t be this dysfunctional without you, Wiwi. This family wouldn’t still be together if it wasn’t for you.
You were a little crazy and drove us even crazier, but you always made sure we were well fed and well entertained.
If there's anything I'm going to miss about you, it's the fact that you were unapologetically YOU. You gave no fucks about what people thought about you. You lived your life to the fullest and never let anyone get in your way. You traveled the world, ate the best food and lived the best life.
You went to Don Shula's gym every day, for crying out loud. Even had this 95-year-old man hitting on you!
We were all shocked to know you had passed, because you were as healthy as a horse but you were struggling so much it only made sense for you to be in peace. You feared dying alone, you feared being put in a home and you feared everyone would stop calling. But none of that ever happened. You died in the comfort of your own home, you were loved by everyone and we always made time to call you and tell you we loved you.
I’m going to miss your stories about Princess driving you crazy and saying how you feel so sick after eating a gallon of ice cream. How am I going to go to the movies without you checking the times in the daily paper first? How about all the times you let me just hang out with you at the house? Or take you out to breakfast? Who is going to tell me all about the time you met Marilyn Monroe? Or order milkshakes at Burger King? Who is going to steal the towels from Don Shula’s?!
My love for you is endless, Wiwi. There isn’t a day where I don’t wake up thinking about you or go to bed without thinking of you. I see your picture every morning and wonder how you’re doing. I can’t help but think that picture shouldn’t be in my room, it should be in yours, but life happens.
One of my most recent discoveries was finding out that you dreamed of being a journalist but couldn’t, because you weren’t old enough to enroll in school in Cuba. I must tell you, I am so honored to be living that dream for you. I love you so very much and I wish you could be there to see me graduate at the school you love.
Life isn’t the same without you, but I’m adjusting. We all are. We miss you very much here, but we knew we couldn’t keep you forever, as much as we wanted to.
You always wanted everyone to remember you when you were younger, and that's exactly what we're going to do.
We love you.
I love you.
Your mini me and your principessa,
Vicky
P.S. Princess is adjusting, she misses you a whole lot. She never leaves my side.
P.P.S. Happy 83rd birthday, my Queen.
