Last week on September 7th would have been my Abuela Macuca’s 102nd birthday.
As I sit and reflect, I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude and nostalgia. She was more than just a grandmother to me—she was a pillar of strength, a beacon of faith, and had the capacity to always laugh at herself.
The wisdom she imparted continues to guide me, and I’m honored to share her legacy with you today.
Lesson 1: Faith—A Quiet Strength That Endures
Abuela Macuca was a devout Catholic, and her faith was the cornerstone of her life. She often remarked that people of my generation lacked faith, a statement that puzzled me for many years. As a child and young adult, I wasn’t particularly religious, and I couldn’t fully grasp what she meant. Faith, as she practiced it, seemed so tied to rituals and beliefs that didn’t quite resonate with me at the time.
However, as I’ve grown older, I’ve come to realize that faith is not limited to religious devotion—it’s about believing in something greater than yourself, in the enduring power of hope and resilience. While my faith doesn’t manifest in the same way hers did, I’ve come to understand that it’s always been a part of me. It’s the belief that things will work out, that there’s a purpose behind every challenge, and that, even in the face of uncertainty, we can trust in the process of life. This quiet strength of faith that Abuela Macuca embodied has become a guiding force in my life, reminding me to trust, no matter how dark the days may seem.
Lesson 2: Strength and Persistence—The Backbone of Survival
If faith was Abuela Macuca’s foundation, then strength and persistence were the pillars that supported her. As the mother of seven boys and, finally, a girl, she needed every ounce of strength and patience she could muster. Her first son was born during the Spanish Civil War—a time of great turmoil and hardship. But despite the challenges, Abuela Macuca never wavered. Her life was a testament to the power of persistence, the quiet determination to keep going, no matter what challenges showed up.
Raising a large family after the civil war and under a new dictatorship demanded incredible resilience and resourcefulness. Despite the challenges of rebuilding life, she kept the family united and strong through her determination and love. Her ability to maintain hope and faith during those times left a lasting legacy, teaching us the power of perseverance in the face of adversity.
Her strength is the kind of strength that I strive to embody in my own life, especially when faced with obstacles that seem impossible to overcome. When I feel like giving up, I think of Abuela Macuca and the many times she chose to persevere, reminding me that strength is not just about survival—it’s about thriving in the face of adversity.
Lesson 3: The Ability to Laugh at Yourself—Finding Joy in Imperfection
One of the most endearing qualities of Abuela Macuca was her ability to laugh at herself. She didn’t take life too seriously, even when things went wrong, and this trait brought so much joy to our lives. I’ll never forget the time my cousin and I, around ten or eleven years old, went to the mall with “La Abuela.” After a fun day of shopping, we couldn’t find where she had parked the car.
Instead of getting frustrated, La Abuela turned the situation into an adventure. We found an empty cart, and, giggling all the way, we placed La Abuela inside and wheeled her around the parking lot, searching for the car.
The sight of her laughing as we paraded her through the lot is something I’ll cherish forever. It was a perfect example of her ability to find humor in the mundane, to laugh at herself.
Another memory that vividly comes to mind is how she used to handle rainy days. Abuela Macuca wasn’t one to fuss about appearances. When it rained, she’d simply put on a shower cap and head out to events, undeterred by what others might think. As a teenager, I was mortified—imagining what people might say or how they might judge us. But she’d just laugh at herself, never letting my adolescent embarrassment dampen her spirits. To her, it was just another day, and another way to teach me that life is far too precious to be bogged down by others’ opinions.
This lesson has stayed with me throughout my life. Abuela Macuca taught me that it’s okay to make mistakes, to be imperfect, and to find joy in those imperfections. Life is too short to be taken too seriously, and sometimes the best way to deal with challenges is to persevere and not take yourself too seriously. This ability to find lightness in the face of difficulty and laugh at myself is something I carry with me every day, a gift from La Abuela that continues to brighten my world.
Carrying Abuela Macuca’s Legacy Forward
As I reflect on these lessons, I realize that they are not just memories—they are guiding principles that shape how I live and work. In my podcasting journey, these values are what drive me to create content that resonates deeply with my listeners. Each episode of The Courage to Be is infused with the faith, strength, and humor that Abuela Macuca embodied, offering insights and stories of other resilient women that I hope will inspire others as much as she inspired me.
And as we approach the 100th episode of the podcast this October, I can’t help but feel that Abuela Macuca’s spirit is right there with me, cheering me on.
To celebrate this milestone, I’m inviting you to join in the festivities. If you’ve enjoyed the podcast, please hit reply with a screen grab of your rating and review.
You’ll be entered into a draw for some special gifts and prizes that I’ll be giving away during our 100th episode anniversary.
Abuela Macuca taught me that life is a beautiful mix of faith, strength, and a good sense of humor.
I hope to pass on those lessons through everything I do. Here’s to the incredible legacy she left behind, and to the many more stories yet to be told.
With love and gratitude,
Tania
Ps: here's how you can win some gifts by reviewing the podcast
You'll be entered into a special prize drawing for our 100th episode celebration.
All you have to do is:
Go to iTunes (Apple Podcast)
Scroll to the bottom of the show where it says “write a review in purple”
Give it 5 stars,
Write a review
Make sure to screen grab it before hitting send
Send us the screen grab here (help.thecouragetobe@gmail.com)
Thanks for your support and have a great weekend!
Comments