More than a Memory

In 2013 I made the resolution to write a new blog entry every month and I fortunately achieved that.  However, I did not renew that commitment into 2014.  I felt I might have been forcing myself to blog without as much content.  It felt more like personal sharing than successful research and discovery.  I didn't want to post without progress.  Unfortunately, instead of pushing myself to actually dive into material, everything has slowed down and now half the year has gone by without a notice.  I feel like I'm really failing to unearth my aunt's story.

The year hasn't been a complete dud.  I did attend an enjoyable Carlos Mejía Godoy concert and mini Nicaraguan festival.  I made the effort to watch the 1983, Under Fire, an American movie on the Nicaraguan revolution inspired by the murder of ABC reporter Bill Stewart.  It left me with mixed feelings.  Sadly, neither of these activities found their form online.  They remain as merely activities of my Nicaraguan nature.

We did however, uncover one important little gem.  I noticed on the back of an photograph of my mother some handwriting that said, "Esteli, Nov 76."  This photo is from the same day of pictures as the nice group picture of my mom, grandmother and aunt as well as the Nordia image my sister and I carried to Fort Benning.  We now finally had context.  A photographer would only be visiting if there was a party going on and since it was November it meant they were celebrating my Abuelita's birthday.  It was the last birthday they would celebrate together before my mom left for the United States.  Interestingly, it turns out that the photographer is my cousin Yahoska's great-uncle, Donaldo Picado.  He loved taking pictures and always brought his camera around.  I was surprised to see how the story of simple photograph could continue to grow.

  

Today marks the 35th anniversary of the attack on Colina 110, when mi Tía Nordia and 30-plus other teenagers were gunned down by helicopters, tanks and plowed through with bulldozers.  Two years ago as I remembered her death, I started this blog to write about her life.  Today it is again her death brings me back to write about her and explore her story.  I must renew my commitment to this journey.  In honor of her I wanted to light a candle by her picture on the mantle as my mother always does in our living room.  The only picture I had of her was a print-out from this same photo session slipped into the binder for my notes and so up it went.  This work is her memorial.  If I want to honor her life, I must make this photo more than a memory.