María

María is my middle name. Honestly, I never liked that name until I knew why I had it.

María Luisa Cardona was born on June 21, 1930. She was an incredible woman, she was a mother of eight children, a baker, a friend, a good neighbor, a hard worker, and a good sister, and I can continue and express all the great qualities that she had. Still, the words are not enough to say all she had to offer to the world. When Maria Luisa was seventeen years old, her mother passed away, so she started working as a baker; later on, she got married and, with her husband, decided to create their bakery.

María Luisa was a shy woman; she would hardly make jokes or laugh with you. This was part of her personality. Also, she was not very expressive about her emotions, and she rarely showed her affection with physical contact. But, she had a better way to do it, through the service. She was the youngest sister of six, which means that her older siblings should care for her. But this wasn’t the case; I remember perfectly when I was twelve years old. She was eighty-one; I had the opportunity to be with Maria Luisa and see how service can significantly impact those around you, especially to feel joy when you serve others.

Efraín was her oldest brother; he had a big and beautiful house, his life had been very privileged, he had married a beautiful woman, and because of his children, they had many comforts. That day we visited Efraín, he was eighty-eight years old, and he was having a hard time due to his illness; he could have the best doctors, nurses, and medicines to help him to feel better, but nothing compares to the homemade Maria Luisa’s soup that she prepared especially for him. She dedicated a big part of the morning to prepare the soup; she perfectly knew that Efraín could ask for a soup at this home, and he would get it without any problem, but the key is this small act of service was love. Maria Luisa’s love for his brother was big enough that she didn’t care to spend hours preparing a simple soup.

Years later, that simple act of service is still in my mind and heart; after that day, I get to know Maria Luisa better and feel proud to call myself after her. My great-grandmother.