Vivian Zermeno is gone! Vivian wasn't yet 60 and died a few weeks ago of lung cancer. She was a lifelong smoker. And she was so much more than that! I met Viviana when I owned my store in National City, near the border.
Viviana is one of those larger than life people. Her daughter Sombra gave a ceremonial service for her at the Mexican Cultural Center in San Diego yesterday and it was one of the most wonderful rituals I've been to. Unlike a typical funeral filled with melodramatic overreactions from people who I suspect didnt do much for the person when they were alive -- I really think there is a correlation between the amount of carrying on and the quality of the relationship while the person was living (test this hypothesis yourself and you will quickly discover) -- this service was based on indigenous Indian traditions of the living spirit
The conch shell was blown for Viviana in four different directions and up to the heavens by a shaman. Their was an Our Lady of Guadalupe altar with tea lgiht candles all over it and we were encouraged to visit the altar with pictures of Viviana, a very, very beautiful woman, and to write out thoughts. I left my thoughts there.
Viviana was a very dynamic and expressive person and we were asked to wear vibrant colors in her memory. I wore red with a black shawl.
Their friends served mole (spelling?) with rice and beans, totillas and chocolate cupcakes for desert. There were many children present. Sombra made a slide show about Viviana's life and put behind it Linda Ronstadt tunes and other great Chicana melodies. Viviana worked hard for Chicana rights and for many years worked to help young unwed mothers keep their babies.
My experiences with Viviana were very cherished. It is so hard to believe she is gone but through Sombra's memorial service it helps her to live on in my heart. I love the way funerals are becoming more celebrations and rituals. It's very spiritual.
As we left, we took with us party favor bags with seeds to plant for her memory, a little garden stake with her name on it to mark the place; a CD of her favorite songs that Sombra had burned; hot tamales, the candy, her favorite; a little conch shell to honor her love of the beach. We were also given aa self addressed stamp envelope to send out memories of Viviana back to Sombra which she will give to her daughter, (Isa)Bella so Bella will get to know many facets of her grandmother.
Vive Viviana!
Viviana is one of those larger than life people. Her daughter Sombra gave a ceremonial service for her at the Mexican Cultural Center in San Diego yesterday and it was one of the most wonderful rituals I've been to. Unlike a typical funeral filled with melodramatic overreactions from people who I suspect didnt do much for the person when they were alive -- I really think there is a correlation between the amount of carrying on and the quality of the relationship while the person was living (test this hypothesis yourself and you will quickly discover) -- this service was based on indigenous Indian traditions of the living spirit
The conch shell was blown for Viviana in four different directions and up to the heavens by a shaman. Their was an Our Lady of Guadalupe altar with tea lgiht candles all over it and we were encouraged to visit the altar with pictures of Viviana, a very, very beautiful woman, and to write out thoughts. I left my thoughts there.
Viviana was a very dynamic and expressive person and we were asked to wear vibrant colors in her memory. I wore red with a black shawl.
Their friends served mole (spelling?) with rice and beans, totillas and chocolate cupcakes for desert. There were many children present. Sombra made a slide show about Viviana's life and put behind it Linda Ronstadt tunes and other great Chicana melodies. Viviana worked hard for Chicana rights and for many years worked to help young unwed mothers keep their babies.
My experiences with Viviana were very cherished. It is so hard to believe she is gone but through Sombra's memorial service it helps her to live on in my heart. I love the way funerals are becoming more celebrations and rituals. It's very spiritual.
As we left, we took with us party favor bags with seeds to plant for her memory, a little garden stake with her name on it to mark the place; a CD of her favorite songs that Sombra had burned; hot tamales, the candy, her favorite; a little conch shell to honor her love of the beach. We were also given aa self addressed stamp envelope to send out memories of Viviana back to Sombra which she will give to her daughter, (Isa)Bella so Bella will get to know many facets of her grandmother.
Vive Viviana!
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