In loving Memory of Mirvia “Mimi” Meyer (Fuentes)

Dear Family, Friends, and loved ones across the world. Our truly beloved Mirvia “Mimi” Meyer (Fuentes) has been called home. Maria “Abuela” Fuentes came to bring her to heaven. “Long enough!” she said, “Come now!” One hand on her hip, the other outstretched reaching for Mimi who was struggling to breathe. Her eyebrows raised. She wore a blue floral print dress that lit up her vibrant blue eyes. This was my vision as I and others tried to comfort Mimi as she was fighting to stay, not for herself but for her children, grandchildren, and so many others she would call her babies, sons, and daughters. “She’s right here,” I said as Mimi called out for her mama.

“If you knew Abuela, you know she wasn’t taking no for an answer!” Jerry would say when I told him about my vision. Oscar Gonzalez translated the very Cuban phrase to English for me. (I would be remiss not to include him in this story as Mimi’s Godson, my dear friend, and loyal doting family member.)

Mimi died peacefully surrounded by many of her sisters and their families. I believe Mimi saw her mother as she struggled. Take this for what you believe, but I know she was there! I can’t speak Spanish very well and Cuban Spanish? Forget it!

My name is John Barrett. I am just one of hundreds of people that Mimi has dedicated her life to, including the Marielitos of the 1980 mass deportation from Cuba that she fearlessly “mothered” during her time at the Cuban Refugee Resettlement Program of Washington.

Some of you know me as an “adopted” brother to Antonia, Jerry, and Brian.

The Fuentes familia is as close to my heart as my own blood. We grew up together in what was once a working-class neighborhood called Wallingford in Seattle.

Mimi was the most generous person I have ever known. She took me in when I had nothing and nowhere to go. I was a troubled young man that was running out of options. Mimi opened her door to me with her tough but unconditional love. I could never repay her generosity and her unyielding support and encouragement. She helped me and so many others turn our lives around.

I was honored to steal a few precious moments to see her in her final days and get to tell her how much I loved her and what she meant to me. I will cherish that opportunity forever.

As I helplessly watched Mimi fight, I wondered what I could possibly do for her. I started to imagine how to help my kid sister (by proxy), her beautiful daughter Antonia Maria (whom I had taken turns with Brian and Jerry holding when she was ill as a baby and a toddler; she could not be put down until she decided she was worn out). (See picture below, me holding her as a teen.) Antonia is courageously fighting to cope with the enormity of being the chosen one to see to Mimi’s affairs and make many of the complex decisions.

It was gut-wrenching to watch Antonia preparing herself, but it was also a beautiful testament to her love and dedication to her mama at the same time. She was holding Mimi's hand as she peacefully slipped from this world into the next. Mimi’s sisters Eyda and Nora kept vigil constantly, Nancy and Adalia too.

Mimi was so generous she quite literally gave everything she ever earned to not just anyone but everyone in need. A small social security check was about all there was left.

Mimi was living with Tia Eyda, (her sister who only recently lost the love of her life Bob Goetchius) babysitting all the grandbabies and taking loving care of everyone but herself. She had so much love. Her place in heaven is assured IMHO.

So many people have called me asking, so it finally occurred to me that I knew what I could do for Mimi.

As we all know, funerals, interment, and hospital bills stack up fast. Brian, Jerry, and Antonia and Oscar have covered all the costs, but it takes its toll. They would never ask, but I will because when people ask me what they can do, I am saying; maybe if you really want to help out, you could join me in giving a few bucks to help Antonia get back on her feet after taking a sabbatical to care for her mother. We are all going to help any way we can, but as you know, the financial burden is huge. Brian, Jerry, and Antonia all have families with mouths to feed and some approaching college quickly. I just figured this is the right thing to do.

This is an opportunity to give whatever you can afford; no amount is too small, and it will be distributed where it needs to go by Antonia. That part is none of my business. Antonia is the beneficiary please rest easy knowing this.

If you have read this far, I hope you don’t find this too indulgent of me. I just do what my heart tells me is the right thing to do. There are so many family members and friends I could mention here. Trisha, Nory's, Jeanette, Tami, Justin, Jacob, and so on. This incredible loving family makes me cry just thinking of how they love so hard.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Humbly,

John Barrett (Fuentes?)