An Ofrenda for Papo and Grandma

Written By T V Aguilar

This ofrenda is a celebration of love, memory, and heritage — a space where two lives, rich with music, flavor, and devotion, meet again in light and color.

On Papo’s side, you’ll find a saxophone and violin, symbols of his lifelong love of music. Nestled nearby are a deer and a trout, quiet tributes to his joy for the outdoors — fishing, hunting, and the peaceful rhythm of nature.

On Grandma’s side, her story unfolds in the warmth of home and hearth: a rolling pin, bowls, and a cake adorned with roses, reminders of the sweetness she brought to every celebration. A ristra of red chiles and a touch of capulín and green chile honor her roots and her love for the garden she tended with care.

Both are surrounded by marigolds, tulips, and baby’s breath — flowers of memory and renewal — glowing beneath candlelight. Together they rest here, side by side, as they always were in life, their spirits joined in the harmony of remembrance.

This altar is not one of sorrow, but of gratitude — for the laughter, music, and love that continue to bloom through every story, every recipe, and every song they left behind.

Grateful and Blessed of my Raices

T V Aguilar

T V Aguilar .. I was born in Denver, CO on a cold and snowy day in November 1967. Shortly after, I moved with “Mom” to live with my grandparents, Casimiro and Mary Gonzales in Rawlins, WY. I would remain there until age 9 and then another move to Cheyenne, WY. I graduated from Seton Catholic High School in 1986.

After high school, I drifted through life uncertain of the “career” or life choice. Maturity set in and I enrolled in college. I was the “re-entry” student as I fell in the older student category. I received my A.A. from American River Community College and then transferred to the University of California, Berkeley. I received my bachelors degree and then moved into a new “career”.

That career was with the federal government. Although happy and welcoming various new projects and endeavors, contentment and happiness were escaping me. I returned to school for Master’s degree, completing my MBA in 2009.

Today, I am retired, enjoying living on a small farm raising, training and caring for horses, a goat and a cat. I am grateful and appreciate living in A Corner of Nature!

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The Disappearing Act of Humanity