In Memoriam and Reflection: The Story Of My Friendship With Juana L. Osborn

The Beautiful Home On Frazier Street! 

I have several fond memories of Ms. Osborn ironically starting from the time when I was a youngster growing up on the west-side of town frequenting a "mom and pop" type of neighborhood store. Unbeknownst to me that the owners - Ms. Osborn and her husband, D.M. ("Dock") - would later in life impact my life, Mama's life and the life of our entire family actually in such a positive manner. We began our ties as mere shoppers of their little store/gas station on W. Hwy 80. Both Juana and "Dock" were always friendly and mindful of all who shopped their quaint store. I know I preferred their store over another "mom and pop" store a little further up the road because those owners were not as nice as the Osborns. I even remember riding the bus that Ms. Osborn's daughter drove during that era; she drove a different route than the one that took me home. I would take that bus when I visited my friends who lived in a different neighborhood...I would get into trouble because sometimes Mama and Papi did not know my plans to do this and either I would get home late because I would then have to make the long walk home or I would end up having to call for a ride. Not a smart thing for such a young person to do (not then and for sure not in these current times), but the safety-factor was not such a big deal as times were different as was trust of others. No one was necessarily safer by any means during those times but people's attitudes were more 'green' perhaps innocent if I had to choose a one-word description of how things and people were back then. 
This is indeed a nice story if you forgive me my tangent and humor me as I foolishly attempt to put it in writing as I muddle through the memories. We were by no means extremely close to the Osborn couple before or after their store shut down and we lost touch with them. We were just saddened as customers when their store closed down and were left with no choice but to make the store further up the road our more permanent stop for those last minute items which convenience stores offered. It was what it was as is my motto. We would meet again years later. The story I want to share of how a beautiful little home on Frazier street came to impact our lives and bring us all back together again is as such. Mama was still residing in the west side of town in a nice but too small and cramped apartment. We decided it was time she had her own house to call her very own. A home where our large and still growing family could gather with more elbow room. A place where Mama could grow her own garden and plants and such. A home that would accommodate our entire family as Mama had often wanted. A place where our love could and would grow and bring us closer as a family. That home would come to be the home where Juana and "Dock" had lived years ago with their own family. By the time we began house-hunting, Ms. Osborn had moved to another home in town and had tried selling the house on Frazier street several times. Long story short, we bought the Osborn home from Juana in August of 2002...one month shy of Mama's birthday; a new decade in a new millennium/new century, per se. She had placed it up for sale for the third time in several years and was understandably hesitant in selling it on her fourth attempt via owner-financing but she took a chance with us anyway. Friendly negotiations were made on that happy day as I remember. Mama got her "home", Juana finally found people who would bring lots of love and care into the house she once called home. Before we knew it with just a few years having gone by, the home was paid for with some upgrades having been made and tons of good memories having been made. I will always love and be so grateful to this lovely lady whom I often and in secret (shared with Sara) considered as my own adopted "grandma". 
Sara and I visited with Juana's family tonight (she passed away earlier today). We were in town for the birth of my great-niece Ava Sophia. A happy event. My sister Eva (Ava's proud grandma) read about Juana's death in the local newspaper and quietly shared the announcement with me. I was very sad upon reading the obit myself but I held back the tears as I remembered only the good times shared with her; mainly the excellent opportunity which Juana's true christianity afforded us with Mama's home on Frazier street. I remembered the adage of how one person dies and a new one is born. Ava was our miracle baby today for obvious reasons and her birth was healing and nothing but love and signs of good things to come for our family. We were missing Mama today but we felt her presence; she was there to help us welcome Ava into this world. Nothing but love. Happiness superceded sadness on this day. Missing Mama and reading about Juana's death - well, it all had its place. I was able to visit with members of Juana's family this evening after we left the hospital so that Ava's new parents could rest before she began her rule and domination of free and quiet time (I say that with love and in humor...Ava is a good baby). Anyway... The visit tonight with Juana's family was nice. Sara and I were only stopping by to extend our condolences. The funeral home was not ready to allow visitors yet but we remembered where Ms. Osborn's daughter lived. We were not ready to be invited into their lovely home as they were preparing to gather at another loved one's home, but they insisted we go in and sign their guest-book and such. They shared with us the story of how Juana passed away and everything that occurred prior to her passing. We then shared how we had also lost Mama over a year ago and Juana's daughter was very sad to hear those news. They did not know about our huge loss to our family but the final tie between families was shared tonight as we each spoke about our mothers. Good memories shared and nothing but respect and kindness flowed between respective anecdotes. They had nothing but good things to say about Mama, our family, and I was humbled in having also been remembered in such a positive light. Not just by Juana's family but by Juana herself which meant the world to me. I held back tears as they shared stories of Juana's positive opinion of Mama and me. They knew my name before I could fully introduce myself as they welcomed us into their home. It was nice...not in a manner which befits a braggart, but in humble, honorable manner which I was proud of - a manner in which I had always hoped Mama was able to view in me.  They helped bring another chapter of my own life to a nice close. Bidding farewell to a lovely lady who helped impact the life of my own mother, our family in such a positive manner. Elated in knowing that the home on Frazier street is still experiencing good times, making fond memories and being hosted with love; good times being paid forward as it remains in our family. Thanks to Ms. Osborn for giving us that one chance of a lifetime. Through love and kindness, rest in peace dear friend of mine.