Heather Leary-Arango
DAD A
I will call Ignacio dad A. in this remembrance as this is what I have called him for most of my life. When we became outlaws together, the name and space that went with it continued, to my delight.
It helps me rally thoughts and emotions around a central image, given the daunting task of trying to capture a story. I initially chose Mt. Ranier in one of the reflection lakes, with a train moving in the distance. My thought was to connect with the image, noble and larger than life. Despite his intelligence and amazing footprint in our world, he continued to have the ability to relate to people with the same level of respect across a large spectrum. He would always have so many questions that sprung from his endless curiosity and care for who they were. I thought of his peaceful quiet nature, love of family, and his wonderful spirituality similar to the depths of the lake. He loved talking about his faith and belief, and his excitement to be able to meet his Savior.
Despite the beauty of the image, and the wealth of examples to draw from in dad’s life, my thoughts were not translating to words. I realized then, that the beautiful mountain and reflection were not the part of the image that drew me. It was the mostly hidden train.
The part of dad’s personality I will miss the very most was a part of him that I connect with the wonder and playful energy of the train. This was a side of him that not everyone was lucky enough to see. When I first met him, at the ripe age of 18, he had a model train that spanned a large portion of the attic space. I remember the pure joy he had in explaining all parts of the train, and the increase in energy as he ran it though the scenery. I saw the same wonder when sifting through old photos as he was creating a tinker toy masterpiece with his 2 year old grandson, and helping us with household projects, and feeding our Rottweiler corn chips in the back yard.
His silliness was a treat that even though it was common, always seemed to come as a delicious surprise. I’ll give one example. Our first Halloween we were giving out candy to all the little ones that come first early in the evening. Some teenagers came Trick or Treating to our door dressed as Kermit the frog and Miss Piggy. Only, it was mom and dad A. He was very funny, and to make it more special, he would often pepper in humor in Spanish, and would relish telling jokes in his native tongue.
Full circle to the mountain. If the mountain itself disappeared from our view. It would leave a large space. No less the passing of this dear man.
