Tribute to an amazing soul, mom. By: Anna Caceres

Hi my name is Anna Caceres,

My mother Maria Hernandez passed away early morning on December 10th two days before her 62nd Birthday. She leaves behind 3 daughters, 15 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.. Prior to her passing we were notified that she had stage 5 Renal failure and was given a year to live if she decided on forgoing dialysis treatment. However, if she were to choose dialysis she'd have at least 5 years of life expectancy. So when we heard this news, we set appointments and planned on getting her dialysis underway. Sadly, we had a turn of events and she contracted Covid. She ended up losing 60lbs in under 2 months and was too weak to go through with dialysis. Essentially, it was too late. Although her cause of death was renal failure, Covid really fast tracked her to an untimely death.

I wish this weren't the case for my mama. We had so much hope for her to continue living, however it feels as if the rug got pulled from under us and all hopes of her continuing on were dashed. She was such an amazing person, she wasn't just my mother, she was my friend and I loved her deeply. I didn't have time to plan or even save for my mothers funeral. I couldn't come to terms with the fact that she would leave us so quickly. My heart was to do everything I could to keep her alive. I sent her food daily because she wouldn't eat her Nursing homes food. I would advocate for her on a daily basis. I spoke with her daily, sometimes 5 times a day because she didn't want to be alone for one second. She deteriorated before me so quickly, too quickly. I miss her. These are just my raw emotions right now.

However, I am encouraged that she is with the Lord now and that she is made new. She loved God and was a firm believer until the very end. She ran her race well. In her last weeks she would talk about God's goodness and how she wanted to go home. Her CNA's and Nurses told me that she would tell them about God and often pray with them and for their children. My mama loved to serve others even in her most weakest moments. Heaven gained such a sweet and gentle soul. I look forward to the day I am reunited with her when it's my time and we will no longer be broken, but love each other fully without sin. So there is joy to be had alongside my sorrow.

I am planning out her funeral and want to fulfill her wishes. She told me that she wanted to be buried by a pine tree in an area where we could see wildlife, like birds and deer when we visit her. Well, we found a beautiful Cemetery on a hill that was filled with wildlife and her plot would be next to not one, but many pine trees. The location we chose is known to have deer and bald eagles living in the woods right beside my mother's plot. This burial plot was beautiful but no more expensive than the other plots we looked at that did not fulfill these final wishes of hers. We really feel like we are honoring her well by laying her to rest here.

We are getting a lot of loving people reaching out, asking on how to help us during this time. Our most practical need is to help cover cost for her burial/funeral. As you can imagine, the cost is immense. In order to pay for burial plot/fees/funeral cost/fees, we had to take out $14,000 on credit so we could pay the cemetery/funeral expenses that are due immediately. So all funds that are raised will go to paying back those expenses. In lieu of flowers, if you would like to help, any love gift in any amount is most welcomed. This will help greatly and is much appreciated. This is a big ask as the timing is right in the midst of the Holiday swing. To any dear friends, family, or kind strangers who are willing to give, any love gift, according to your ability and no matter how small, will make all the difference. We serve a big God, who will provide for our need.

We'll end with hope. Titus 3:4-7

" But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."