The song is very special to me because it reminds me of Mama and things we did together and memories we shared. I recall about 10 years ago when Sara and I took her on a road trip with us that Mama and I talked about the song- I am sure we first spoke of it (song) further back than 10 years as it was first introduced to me around 1996, but the day I clearly remember mentioning the song goes back 10 years. Along the way home we stopped at the cemetery in Lamesa, Texas to check on "Malande's" grave site (for those who do not know, Malande is Mama's Mother). We cleaned up some debris and dug up some weeds and such. Mama said that as many years as her Mama had long passed away not many a day went by that she did not think about her and miss her. It was a sad thing to hear, but it was as such and in a way I understood what she meant. Or at least I thought I understood until it happened to me when we lost Mama in November (11-17-11).
Mama was around 31 years old and about 4 months pregnant with me when Malande passed away on December 28, 1965. I remember thinking on that very day that we were cleaning up Malande's grave that I was about Mama's age when she lost her own Mama. I thought how fortunate I was that I still had my Mother alive and well and wished for several more years/decades of having her alive and well. To my dismay the day that Mama passed away came too soon, too abruptly and now I really know how Mama must have felt when her Mother died. I have only just begun my own remembrance of Mama by pure memory for she is no longer with us to call or to visit. The pain of missing her has just begun and it is terrible. A million times worse than I could have ever imagined. Mama said it (sorrow) gets better but it never goes away. It merely fades yet it remains.
Anyway both of us liked the song. Both of us agreed that Juan Gabriel and Rocio Durcal, whom also performed the song, did a beautiful job of singing it; I think Mama preferred the Rocio version while I preferred Juan's. Mama and I referred to the song several more times through-out the years that were to follow each of us agreeing that we would like the song performed at our respective funerals. I know it may sound morbid now, but at the time we spoke about it - it seemed romantic. Not romantic as in when one is in love, but the romantic way that as human beings we fantasize things to make them seem better. Uncanny that the gentleman whom sang the various songs at each of Mama's services picked this very song to sing at her funeral; I guess due to the meaning behind it and its popularity among the Latino community. Anyway, this song is dedicated to Mama - I miss you and will love you forever.
Anyway both of us liked the song. Both of us agreed that Juan Gabriel and Rocio Durcal, whom also performed the song, did a beautiful job of singing it; I think Mama preferred the Rocio version while I preferred Juan's. Mama and I referred to the song several more times through-out the years that were to follow each of us agreeing that we would like the song performed at our respective funerals. I know it may sound morbid now, but at the time we spoke about it - it seemed romantic. Not romantic as in when one is in love, but the romantic way that as human beings we fantasize things to make them seem better. Uncanny that the gentleman whom sang the various songs at each of Mama's services picked this very song to sing at her funeral; I guess due to the meaning behind it and its popularity among the Latino community. Anyway, this song is dedicated to Mama - I miss you and will love you forever.
Note: The song Amor Eterno was written by Juan Gabriel for his own mother. She passed away while he was performing at a concert in Acapulco. He wrote the song for Rocio to perform as well, but his true intention was to honor his Mama. The song became a huge hit for both performers. A link to hear the song is located to the right-hand column...I suggest opening it in a separate tab if you want to read the lyrics (below) and listen to it simultaneously.
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