Ama La Luna

Around 930am this morning, Ama took her last breath. She was surrounded by loved ones, and passed in peace.

Over the past week, we saw Ama's health deteriorate quickly. She remained throughout that process ever strong. Then yesterday, around noon, she laid down, turned inward, and remained still and silent, apart from a patterned rhythmic breath.

Last night, I sat at the kitchen table at Casa de Las Ondas and watched the blue moon slowly trek across the sky. I was reminded of the first time I ever watched a moonrise. Ama had invited me to come watch it with her, which was not something I had ever thought about doing. So we got bundled up and sat on the cliffs overlooking Cowell's beach. I remember it was cold and we had to wait some time. But then it came, and it was beautiful, a big beautiful full moon rising over the ocean, a counterbalance to the setting sun.

There's this quote I once saw on a Santa Cruz t-shirt - "live by the sun, love by the moon." Ama, how much you have loved, how much you have taught me to love. May the moon guide you now. I will love you always and forever.