When I was growing up I was exposed to a wide variety of music at home. As far back as I can remember, my parents played records of music in Spanish and listened to Spanish language radio. I learned to dance by putting my feet on top of my dad’s feet and having him move us to Mexican mariachi music and rancheras and later, to Tex-Mex.
As my brothers, who were all older than me, grew into their teen years in the 60’s, I grew to love their music. I can still sing every word of every Sonny and Cher song and I still blast the Beach Boys from the radio in the car and at home. Then came the music question of the 60’s: RollingStones or Beatles?
Our house was split. Richard, the middle brother was strictly a RollingStones kind of guy. Carlos, the oldest, was a straight Beatles guy. David, the youngest of the three boys was kind of in between. He listened to it all and picked what he liked best. We, the younger sisters, took it all in and would sometimes use either the Stones or the Beatles to get what we wanted from one of the brothers!
In the summer of 1970, I was 14 and Carlos was 20 and still lived at home. Carlos worked at the cannery where my dad worked and paid for his own car insurance and other car related expenses and the rest of his money went to my parents to help support us all. One day, he came home smiling and happy and went into his room and started to play Let It Be on the record player. He had bought the song on the 45 rpm version.
From then on, when Carlos was home, all we heard of him was Let It Be coming from his room. It got to the point where, a couple of weeks later, my dad got tired of listening to that one song and threatened to go into the room and break the record in half and throw it out! Carlos started playing it at a much lower level until he was able to save the money to get a whole Beatles album that he then listened to non-stop. That was not really great with my dad but at least he didn’t have to listen to the same words of wisdom, Let It Be.
When I scattered Carlos’ ashes on April 18, I couldn’t help muttering those words as the ashes escaped the fingers of my hand…let it be.
LET IT BE
When I find myself in times of trouble
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
And in my hour of darkness
She is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.
And when the broken hearted people
Living in the world agree,
There will be an answer, let it be.
For though they may be parted there is
Still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer, let it be.
Let it be, let it be. Yeah
There will be an answer, let it be.
And when the night is cloudy,
There is still a light that shines on me,
Shine on until tomorrow, let it be.
I wake up to the sound of music
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
There will be an answer, let it be.
Let it be, let it be,
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.
This is beautiful–both in writing and feeling.
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Yes, it is. And what a lovely song to have as a snapshot of something essential about your brother.
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Damn it, Corina. That made me cry.
I’m sorry for your loss, but my words seem inadequate at the moment.
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Corina, what a beautiful way of saying good-bye to your borther.
‘Let It Be’ for him and now for you.
There will be an answer to your pain and aloneness.
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All I can think to say is: This is beautiful, Corina.
It made me cry.
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bravo corina!!! that was a mesmerizing tribute and a glorious send off…..
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If hugs can travel the miles between us, close your eyes and feel mine now!
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((Corina)), such wise words, yet so hard to do.
May God give you the grace to “let it be”.
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I, too, am sorry for your loss. Your words on your post are beautiful. Just try to hang on to the good memories, although I know its hard to do. I lost my mom two years ago on April 16.
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Reblogged this on Wasted Days And Wasted Nights and commented:
Today my brother would have been 71. He left us 3 days before his 60th birthday. Here’s a glimpse of my big brother.
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