The past two weeks have been pretty rough. My family and I were informed that our Wela, the matriarchy of our family, had 6 months to live. Then a few days ago we were told that for anyone that could to say there last goodbyes. 6 months is the best case scenario and she could go any moment. It’s hard to imagine what a family goes through when a death occurs. How do you navigate the logistics and finances when you need to grieve and celebrate? Whenever we attempt to have these conversations they’re hard to maintain because the reality of losing the woman who has raised all of us settles in. Ginoris Matos raised three daughters in Puerto Rico, then Brooklyn, then Connecticut. When those daughters had kids, she raised them too, and when he grandkids started to have kids she raised them too. When I first left the hospital after I was born the first place I went to was her home and that’s been the story for all of my siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews. We are fortunate enough to get the chance to say goodbye and see her as much as we can before she goes. To ease the financial pressure and make sure she gets the send off she deserves we’re looking to anyone who knew and loved her for support. Whatever you can contribute to her Burial and Funeral services when the time comes will be greatly appreciated. And when the time does come we would love to have you at the Service and at her celebration which is being planned to happen at the place she worked at for decades, The Puerto Rican Society at 152 High St, New Britain, Connecticut.