The day before the Bible study, we went to visit Luisa’s grave together. That morning before we went our separate ways, I reminded Jeremiah not to forget about the visit that afternoon.
“I won’t forget,” he said.
We each gathered our things for the day and he went to school and I went to work.
As we got to the grave that afternoon, Jeremiah looked at me and said, “Papa, she left too early.”
I nodded my head in agreement. I had no words. The tears started to flow from my eyes and my soul. All I could do was kneel down in front of her headstone and weep. After a few moments, I was able to stop sobbing enough to whisper to her in Spanish. It was like she was there for me to talk to.
I didn’t know how long I was talking, but it must have been some time. Jeremiah was standing beside me. He called to me, “Papa…” He had a look on his face that told me he was stunned by the conversation. “I know now how much you loved my mother.”
I gathered myself and stood to look at him. He had grown into such a wonderful young man. Tall, handsome, smart; Luisa would be so proud. “I can tell you some of the stories of her conversion to Judaism. You would not have known that she was brought up with Christian beliefs. She converted, not because she loved me, but because she loved God. You never knew she believed in the Messiah 
all of this time, even though she showed it through her actions. She wasn’t just a practicing Jew, she WAS a Jew, and I loved her all the more for it.”
“You mean all the time she believed, but it didn’t bother you?” Jeremiah was trying to process this new information.
“No, I was not going to be like others. Some would divorce a woman based on legalistic and conservative views. But she was a gift from God. Her Messiah 
was hers and I loved her.” I looked over to her headstone again. “You see, her strength was in her faith. I knew that; I always knew that.”
Jeremiah came up beside me again. “I understand now that what I’ve been through when my faith in the Messiah 
was questioned. It was a testament to God and her.”
“Yes, now you understand why you’re our son!”
“God doesn’t make mistakes. No, He doesn’t!” Jeremiah was very emphatic now.
“Son, my love for her grew over time. Every day it grew. I saw her love and care for you. Her kindness toward me daily gave me the hope and strength to go on each day. I saw God in her daily.”
“Papa, I don’t know what to say.”
I could feel the tears starting again. I fought them as best as I could. “When she got sick, my light started to dim. But she was always there to brighten it again, encouraging me to go on with what God had given me. I was blessed by you, my family, my career, and those I was able to help.”
Jeremiah was getting tears in his eyes, too. “I can feel her, almost see her as if she is here with us.”
“She had an amazing life. Even though we suffer in this life here on Earth, we both had an amazing life.”
Jeremiah nodded his head. “Yes, she did, Papa.”
We stood there for a few more minutes, reflecting on the wife and the mother who left us too early. Eventually, I placed a stone of remembrance on the headstone of her grave. I walked back over to where Jeremiah was standing. “She wants to talk to you.”
Jeremiah looked puzzled, then walked over to her headstone. I could tell that he was having a conversation inside of himself. Later he would tell me about it. “Mama?”
“Yes, son. Just be still and all will be okay. God will speak for you. Be kind to your father; remember that he has lost the love of his life. He only has you, Iglesias, and Tio of what’s left of his family.”
“Yes, Mama.” I could see him shaking his head in agreement. “Thank you.” A few more minutes passed and he stood and placed a stone on her headstone, as well. He left a kiss on her name with his hand.
We both hugged each other and walked to the car. He told me that he had begun to understand how much two people could love each other’s soul. Only by the love of God.