THE HOLY SISTERS IN SAN JUAN: Part II

I had a very good time in San Juan. Much of the time, I spent with Sister Anna Marie at the Sisters’ house. She taught me enough Spanish, which I forgot long ago, so I could act as a friend to the new young children arriving. I would help her clean and sweep and work in the garden. I would go with her on her home visits. Sometimes, we visited with Sister Agnes Louise, who was overseeing the work Sister Anna Marie was doing with me.

Whenever, we walked together she held my hand. She was extremely affectionate, physically and verbally. She always had a kind word and a hug when needed. Everyone adored her.

Most days, I was very active, but sometimes I had to rest for I had little energy (later, I found out that I had a pediatric heart murmur which did not close off until after I was seven or eight). When, I could not keep my eyes open, Sister Anna Marie would lift me into her lap, cradle me in her arms with my head against her breast, and sing Spanish lullabies to me. I would always wake up in her arms.

One day, I was in the kitchen and the older nuns were discussing Sister Anna Marie.

Mother Superior explained, “Sisters, Anna Marie is very innocent and close to Our Lady. Whenever, she holds Miguel in her arms and sings to him, both of them are far away from the mortal world. They are with Our Lady in Heaven. Sometimes, when I watch them together, I see such love in her eyes that her body radiates a subtle glow. I am sure she believes that Miguel is her very own child. Unusual, but Sister Agnes Louise told me that those two have a special relationship which was formed in Heaven.”

Later I told Sister Anna Marie what Mother Superior had said. She smiled, saying, “Sweetheart, what Mother Superior said is true. You are my child for your soul and mine have been together forever. Because you and I are as one, I can never be away from your heart, my love. Someday, you will understand.”

I threw my arms around her narrow waist and hugged her very tightly. I said, “And I will always love you, Anna Marie, forever. I am glad that you are my real mommy.”

I loved Sister Anna Marie more than anyone else I have ever known.

I was happy in San Juan and never felt alone because of Sister Anna Marie. I helped her most every day with her work and we grew closer and closer in our hearts. So I shall skip to the end of this short note, but will return to my time with the nuns in the future.

I do not remember exactly, but a few months before we left Puerto Rico, my family went to the beach for a week, I think, as my littlest brother was several months old. As soon as we returned to our house, Mother Superior hurried over to find and take me to the Sisters’ main house. She took me by my hand saying, “Hurry Child, Sister Anna Marie is very sick and has been asking for you for the past three days. She will not drink any fluids nor eat. She cannot get out of bed and is coughing up blood. She has a high fever and it is affecting her thinking.

Mother Superior told me that she the doctor said that she would not recover and was not long for this world.

I asked Mother Superior, “What did that mean?”

Mother Superior took my hands into hers saying, “Child, your Anna Marie is dying and will be in heaven soon. I know you love her very much and so it is important that she knows you are with her.”

I pulled away from Mother Superior and rushed to Anna Marie’s little room. She was lying in a cotton nightgown which was soaking wet and moaning. The other Sisters were doing what could be done to comfort her.. I ran to Sister Anna Marie saying, “Mother, I am here. Open your eyes and you will see.”

Sister Anna Marie opened her eyes and began to smile. She tried to sit up, but could not. Sister Theresa helped her and propped her up with some pillows. Anna Marie speaking very slowly said, “My precious darling, I am with Our Lady, my darling. She says that I must stay with her, but, I shall always be connected to your heart, always. I will be waiting in Heaven for you.”

Soon the room began to glow with a soft light and I saw Our Lady approach Sister Anna Marie and place her right hand upon her forehead. She turned to me saying, “Do not worry, little one. Mother will be happy in Heaven and both of us shall watch over you always. If you need her, just ask and you will feel her radiance surrounding you and you will know all is well. Good bye, little one. Come hug your soul partner before she leaves her tired body.”

I started crying and put my arms around Anna Marie’s neck and hugged her, “Mother, please stay with me. I don’t want you to leave. I will be happy to go with you to Heaven.”

Sister Anna Marie took in a last breath and a grand smile of deep joy formed upon her face. She fell back onto the pillows. I held onto her and the Sisters had to pull me away. Mother Superior understood my loss and picked me up and took me outside to the garden and we cried together.

True to her words, Sister Anna Marie is always in my heart and comforts me whenever I am discouraged or down. Over the years, I have come to understand that she is not really my mother, she and I are the two halves on one soul.

One day, I will return to my days with Sister Anna Marie and what she taught me.