Henry Hernandez
On 7 May 2026, my Mom, Milagros, Milli, left this earth on the same day my late father once entered it. It was a full circle moment, and now they rest together in eternal peace and love. Free of pain. Free of suffering. In a new home. Reunited forever with each other and family.
I will miss my loving mom, especially the little things. Hearing her voice daily. Pranking her for laughs. Taking her to lunch or dinner. Spending time with her and hugging her. Seeing her beautiful eyes sparkle when she smiled.
She enjoyed spending time with family. Sharing stories of her youth. Reminiscing about my father and how they met. That fateful evening in a queens nightclub where they met, danced, and started their love story. One that would endure close to fifty years until my dad’s passing and see them make sacrifices for family – always with one thing in mind, one thing above all else, Family.
My mom was the matriarch – and for her family was everything and often the only thing. She was devoted to her family and caring for those she loved. She would always put her needs second. A generous heart and soul. Caring to a fault.
As I reflect on her life I’m floored by her strength to the end. Mini but mighty, tiny but tough. In these last 4 years, especially these last 4 weeks she suffered greatly but did so with strength and resilience, holding on until 7 May for my dad to pick her up and take her home on his birthday. She passed away at 11:45 PM that night so my dad cut it a little close. But then again, my father was always late so it sorta made sense.
As I look back on her life, my life, I’m humbled by her endless capacity to love, to love me, to love my son, to love us all.
I love you mom. I will miss you deeply. I will miss your warmth. Your smiles. Your essence.
But I will always carry with me the most important thing you could have possibly left behind, and that is the capacity to love and to love faithfully. Thank you mom. Te amo.
As I grieve, as we grieve, let’s take comfort in that grief because without love there is no grief.
With that in mind, I leave you with the words of Donna Ashworth - Scottish poet and author.
“You don’t move on after a loss, but you must move with it.
You must shake hands with grief, welcome her in, for she lives with you now. Pull her a chair at the table and offer her comfort.
She is not the monster you first thought her to be. She is love. And she will walk with you now, stay with you now, peacefully. If you let her.
And on the days when your anger or sadness is high, remember why she came, remember who she represents. Remember. Grief came because love came first. Love came first.”
