In Mourning

Early yesterday morning, Victor's mother, Ana Maria Rivera-Pineda, passed away of coronary heart failure.

It was sudden and unexpected. Although she suffered from diabetes, no one realized she had heart problems. She was rushed to the hospital Sunday evening after fainting. We were told she was having a heart attack. Monday, although still in CV Intensive Care, the doctors were 'cautiously optimistic. But late Monday night, her body stopped responding to the treatments and the staff was unable to stablize her blood pressure.

Everyone is in shock, denial, and deep grief.

She was only 60 years old and full of life. Sunday we had all been at the Baileys' house helping them pack up to move to Guatemala. One of the last great memories I will have of Ana is her taking a break to dance with Isabella in the empty family room that day.