Travel Series: A Different Type of Painting Project

A Different Type of Painting Project

Today I went to the cemetery with my family to visit my Uncle Beto. I think the last time I visited was 10 years ago. It was very interesting to sit back and see my family interact with my Uncle and his neighbors in the cemetery. Over the years they have formed a relationship with the neighbor as well because he died on the same day as my Uncle. My aunt brought a ceramic angel painted gold to place on top of the tomb. I repainted the inscription on the tombstone because it was fading. This is something my Aunt and Grandma do often because the paint fades. My mom and myself felt like this was a lot of work so she suggested getting a plaque made.

As we looked around we noticed a lot of tombstone were bearing the same angel we perched atop my Uncle’s tombstone. We all felt it would be nice to make his tombstone different and stand out because he was a very special person to us all. My aunt suggested placing a baseball figurine near the angel. That’s when I got the idea to make an extra special addition to the tombstone that could not be replicated. I’m going to make a portrait of my Uncle that reflects his personality. I have so many ideas running though my mind, I just need to figure out how to make it weather proof. I am excited to use my talents to create something so special to my heart.

I didn’t expect to get as emotional as I did. Once we were done beautifying his spot, we all said the Our Father and Hail Mary. After we prayed together, my mother prayed from her heart. It was very touching to hear the love she has for her little brother. I was very young when he died but the year before he died, he came to visit Los Angeles. He got to do all of the tourist hot spots; Universal Studios, Hollywood, Disneyland, and his most favorite a Dodger Game. He died at the age of 15, but aspired to be a baseball player with the Dodgers. He was a very valuable player on a couple of teams in Mexico.

What really got me the most was although he was so young and my mom had little interaction with him, it was still her baby brother who had a lot ahead of him. It got me thinking of a few people, my 15 year old sister, my friend who lost her boyfriend, and my friend who recently lost a sister. My sister spent her 15th birthday on an airplane to Mexico the week before. When I would think about how young my Uncle was when his life was over, I always wondered how much did my Uncle affect the people around him. But thinking about my sister now at her age and all things she represents for my family and myself, I could really feel and sympathize with my mom, aunt and grandmother who lost her only son.

My friend recently lost his 18yr old sister just as unexpectedly as the death of my Uncle. I was so shocked and had no idea what to say or how to respond. My first reaction was to let him know that I was there for him if he needed anything because I remembered how my Uncle’s death affected my grandmother and mother. Beyond that I had no clue what to say, how to be there, or do. I read articles on helping loved ones cope with grief and asked my friend who lost her boyfriend for advice. But never once did I really think about asking my mother for advice on how she dealt with the death of her baby brother. Right now I don’t know that I have any words to offer him but now I know I can empathize and be there more than I realized I could a few months back.

RIP Luis Alberto Martinez Ochaeta
RIP Cliff
RIP Brittany Veal

Though each of your earthly lives were short lived, you inspire and hold a special place in the hearts of many. Your spirits are lifted and have not been forgotten by the people awaiting to reunite with you.