I’m in the passenger seat right now, traveling to my grandmother’s house in Los Lunas. On Saturday, we were unsure about tomorrow. On Sunday, the same. Monday came and our doubts continued to grow. It’s now Tuesday evening and every one’s thoughts lie on the inevitable.

While some may dispute their comfort with the situation, I am certain in how I feel.

Back in December, I had the opportunity to practice what I learned after my other Grandmother, Rosella, passed. With my Grandma Rosella, we had a dispute earlier in the week and it came as a shock that her death came so sudden. I regarded that week as the worst ever and found myself, months later, regretting that I was upset with her. I learned that life doesn’t always afford you with precious moments and when given the opportunity, one should strike.

Thanksgiving came for my Grandma Mary last year and her health took a sudden decline, putting her in the hospital for the holidays. She encouraged the family to get together for dinner and we did. It wasn’t a collective agreement, but everyone understood. We all arrived at different times at my Uncle’s house, but it was a surprise to both him and my Aunt. While everyone told my Grandmother that they would try to meet with everyone for Thanksgiving dinner, the truth of the situation was that all was rather uncertain.

When dinner finally came, everyone seemed to migrate to my Uncles. Every one’s reason was that it felt right and they didn’t know where else to go and dwell on the situation. My feeling on that thanksgiving was that God has his plan for everyone, regardless of whether they felt that going separate ways to mourn was appropriate; my grandma’s prayer for her family to remain close on that holiday was answered.

Thanksgiving passed and eventually my grandma was released from the hospital. Unfortunatly, she had suffered a heart attack and the ability of her heart, liver and kidneys to funciton properly was declining. As it was explained to me, the heart’s need for increased oxygen would further damage the lungs, which would release toxins into the body, damaging the liver, which would damage the kidneys. But, without treating the heart, life would quickly end.

The decision was to put her on oxygen, giving her at least 6-8 months.

December came, and another hospital stay as well. The heart was beginning to fail and we were all too certain that God would take her on Christmas. Again, she told the family to stick together and this time we did.

For me, I knew that my grandmother had secrets to life that I wished to learn and that learning from her would require me to set my pride aside. I laid it all out on the table, holding back nothing; it was the first time I had ever talked to my grandmother without worrying what she may think of me.

We must have talked for over three hours, discussing everything. I came out of my discussion with her feeling better, knowing that what I didn’t do with my grandmother Rosella, I did with her. I felt in some way that I had reconciled that regret and that my grandma Rosella watched over, enjoying every moment of the conversation.

I gained closure on my grandma’s life on Christmas. It was a fantastic gift, one that seemed all too perfect for that time of year. While others received cards, presents and who knows what, I was given the gift only my grandma could give; not having to suffer. She prays hard and meditates on Christ with such passion that the grace given to her was passed on to me. The feeling is indescribable.

We’re almost to her house now and we’ll be exiting the freeway soon. My Grandma has been holding on for days, for who knows what. The frustration that she must feel along with fear, uncertanty and just an indescribable feeling of asking God for just a few more moments must be the most intense thing any one person can experience.

My Grandmother is a wonderful person. She’s given me so much in life that my only return is that I will teach my kids the same as she taught me and they will experience the joy I had as a child. They will know that Disneyland is the place where my thoughts dwell when I think of my grandma and that every smile I enjoyed, they too will enjoy, because of them. Disneyland may just be a theme park to many, but to me, it’s a place where I experienced so much as a child with my grandparents.

There’s simply too much to say about my memories.

I’d like to close with a letter to both of my grandparents and my grandmother. She’s going to be leaving this world soon and if she can take a message, I would like her to take this one. First off, I must ask for permission:

Lord,

If you find it appropriate, please let my grandmother know of this message after she arrives. Please let this post be a testimate to your divine grace and let it be known to believers and unbelievers that death is only a ticket into, what can only be stated as, true paradise; a place filled with such happiness and wonder, that the good times anyone has ever experience on this planet can never compare to what lies ahead. We simply cannot comprehend what it must be like in heaven.

Grandma,

Please watch over your family. If the Lord may, please pray to him on our behalf that we stay together and that we honor him and remember you and our other loved ones on the most precious of holidays. Please help us all stick together and not feel sad about loss, but feel happy that the Lord granted you a place in paradise. Help us all to stay on path so we may all get together in the end.

I love you and tell my grandma and grandpa that I love them.

Steven

11:15PM

Thank you Lord, for not making her suffer anymore.

Cinco de Mayo marks the day that the Mexican warriors fought off the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Led by General Ignacio Zaragoza, they defeated the better armed French forces that marched on Mexico City. It is said that they fought off the armed dragoons with nothing more than simple melee weapons, leaving the lesser French forces vulnerable (by the way, they had guns). Using both the terrain and locals to their advantage, the Mexican troops fought off the soldiers while the locals unleashed their cattle to stampede the other French units.

It wasn’t until 1864 that the French occupancy in Mexico was completely removed, however the battle that won the war was on Cinco de Mayo in 1862.

On this Cinco de Mayo, Allometry is dedicated to those who put the French down (again), without mercy and with comically fun antics. Honestly, who says, “let’s run em’ over by cows?”

Why not?

First admitting bias toward this alternative rock band (The Cherry Tempo), I, to my readers, ask that an honest try be given to a band that is working hard to be different.

Different is a term usually said in cases to gain credibility, however in the case of The Cherry Tempo, different doesn’t mean flaring keyboards or raging guitar riffs that confuse the mind rather than excite it. Different here means new, fresh and reviving.

The Cherry Tempo is lead by Javier Romero, the band’s front man, guitarist and keyboardist. Playing local clubs in Santa Fe and Albuquerque New Mexico, the alternative styling similar to that of U2 caught the attention of friends, family and club patrons. The sound is nothing else that you would hear on the top 40 charts, nor is it a duplicate echo out of San Diego; The Cherry Tempo is different.

Bassist Jasper Schriber, Drummer Will Phillips and Guitarist Dave Jordan define the chemistry that drives The Cherry Tempo. Playing as if they were already rock stars, the quality of the recently released album is comfortably natural and anything but manufactured.

Hit songs such as “Treble is High” and “Wake Up! Gertrude Stein” combine elements of heavenly guitar riffs with an electronic sound and a beat that hooks the listener. All the songs on the album are anything but repetitive. With actual talent on the album and with a front man that can actually sing, it is clear that The Cherry Tempo is not your typical rock band.

Having already opened for bands such as 31 Knots and The North Atlantic, The Cherry Tempo has stage experience and a charismatic way with the crowd. Queues to clap and sing alongs with the crowd are typical of an absolutely cherry show.

In a world that strives for anything but typical and a musical scene seen by many to be too commercialized, The Cherry Tempo plays for you the quintessential escape from mundane. The album can be listened to in its entirety, which is an absolute marvel by this reviewers standards. Reaching the end of the album is the only downside, because the ride is over and you are left wishing for more… Then again, there is always the repeat button.

Checkout The Cherry Tempo on Myspace or catch them on tour January 2007.

The Cherry Tempo, the self titled album is quickly available on iTunes. Buy it today!