A Poem

At the Grave of Violet Vaca

(This is a simple translation of a poem type speech that Manuel Zabala wrote and shared at Vi’s funeral. Manuel Zabala is a honored poet. He won many award for his books and poems)

The sweet life of Violet has just been extinguished. And at this time, beyond the stars, there is a tumult of bells and trumpets inviting her to the celestial banquet.

We had the privilege of knowing her and having the joy of sharing her friendship for many years. And the message of her life of example is the best testimony of her greatness.

We were witnesses to her servant attitude in the snowcapped Andean mountains sharing with South American men and women. We saw her in classrooms talking about God with a slight tremor in her voice. We heard her sing like an angel and smelled the evergreens during her late afternoon Advent celebrations. We heard her comment on Bible texts with great reverence. We saw her take lilies to those in pain and bread to give hope to those in despair.

A full time missionary, in her last hours, her final pain, may have been that of not having more time to serve others.

It is true that her passing… covers us in sadness, we will miss her voice of optimism, we will not again feel the joy of her affection or the charm of her tenderness, or hear the music that came from her piano in the tunes of Liszt and Chopin.

But it is also true that at this moment she has received the kiss of our Heavenly Father, and she was ready to give Him the seasoned fruits of her sacred love.

Her comings and goings are legendary, up and down mountains and valleys, days and nights along with her life companion, Victor, her beloved husband. He is a man of unique talent, unyielding faith, great knowledge of the Bible and together with Vi, strived to diffuse words of redemption.

Along with my wife, Aida, who loved Vi so much, I want give this memoir. We still have a vivid memory the message we listened to one afternoon, as Vi in her special manner and great realism, talked to us about angels. How these protective spirits take on human form when we need protection from danger. Her friends complimented her comments with their stories. It seemed as if her message had wings of butterflies, the sweetness of honey filled beehives, and the song of swallows and sparrows.

Victor, we now give this beautiful body now empty, to the fresh and fragrant earth, and it seems that it all makes sense ¡There is a new angel in heaven, at the feet of God, along with all His other celestial beings!.

It is Violet who will always be with us, beyond time and space!

(Translated by: Karen (Kelly) Feijoo)