FELICITA'S ENDURING LEGACY

By Noel Serrano

It is hard to believe how 22 years have gone by since that sad evening of October 17, 1987. That was the day Felicita M. Serrano left a family and a legacy that can only compete with the longevity of her steadfast values. as the years passed by, in both quiet and stormy fashion, we can focus more on the void of the missing woman whose very absence tends to highlight the thunderous contradictions of our times.

Felicita lived in a real world, free from illusions, full of hard work and emotional struggles. she was a woman of true values and strong personal convictions. For those of us who knew her, it is truly no surprise for us to recognize her continued ability to overshadow many, even in death. Her steadfast determination to live a full life in the service of her God and her family and friends, serve to remind us all, the true path for a victorious life. A life full of service and devotion.

22 years ago, her family would not conceive how their lives would change forever because of her departure. The life that she lived remains a constant example to the family she loved. There are elements of he life that still haunt us as we attempt to bring into focus, the main characteristics of this beloved Matriarch. Felicita M. Serrano was a steadfast woman of the old guard that inherited the stubborn will of her father and the majestic grace of her mother. She had the incomparable quality of not compromising her values and constantly showed courage in standing alone in controversial issues with granite determination and steadfast conviction. One of Felicita's greatest attributes was her ability to take a strong stand and remain solid and unshaken, years later.

Her consistency would only match up with her devotion to a just cause. It was that just cause that ignited in her, the immortal determination to proceed a calm and conservative posture in the midst of great turbulence and diversity. Felicita never bent rules nor did she ever try to rewrite her standard to accommodate the impetuous world around her. In the later years, Fela dreamed that there was a dark, tempestuous road that was shrouded with deep crevices and dangerous terrain. Felicita was leading in the path as others gazed in admiration and envy. the dream concluded with her reaching to the other side of the great valley.

There were many times in Felicita's life, when she questioned the characteristics that would ultimately form her character. She felt the same uncertainties of life and experienced the temptations to ignore the harsh and often difficult teachings of her father. Felicta revealed a noble and determined character as a young lady when she had to make one of the hardest decisions of her life. Felicita's brother had just passed away and was being viewed at the family home in Puerto Rico. She was very emotional and yet very much aware of her responsibilities.

Felicita quietly touched the shoulder of her father and said " I am going to get ready to go to church, I am due to preach the sermon tonight" Her father beamed with subdued pride and declared "You must do what you are led to do" This was a very difficult moment for Felicita but it showed how her character was molding into that special quality of determined will and purpose. This strait was very visible throughout the life of the woman that would grow up to raise a large family and teach many scholars that would ultimately lead great great congregations.

Felicita M. Serrano was a teacher in every sense of the word. She was constantly sharpening her diction, her intellect and her wit while she made breakfast, lunch and dinner for her ever-growing family. many hours of conferences were witnessed in the small kitchen in Queens, N.Y. moments of great debates with her children are remembered with fond recollection. These debates were on a variety of topics. It was truly amazing to realize that this woman was revitalizing her energies to teach and also bonding intellectually with her children. Her love for communication and language was quite evident as she savored each passing hour that she taught a first year Bible class n a New York Bible Institute. Her tenaciousness glowed through the teaching years as she faced tremendous obstacles, both private and public.

Felicita, once again revealed he profound ability for consistency, one of her students recently revealed that she was a true professional who had the ability to teach in a straight-forward tempo and endeared her students to her with quiet detachment. This quiet detachment leads us to examine another Angle of Felicita's character. Felicita was a proud woman without any inhibitions. It was this part of her unique personality that led many to believe that she was anti-social or stuffy. Many thought that she was arrogant and snobbish but she was not! It was her ability to detach herself from a person and many would feel as if she was encased in a glass bubble. This was her defense mechanism to prevent someone from getting to close and possibly wounding her. she was a very sensitive and vulnerable woman that shielded herself for privacy as well as for protection. she was sensitive enough to have sleepless nights when she offended someone and that would trigger her to quickly apologize when she was wrong. She was sensitive and caring enough to stay up all night worrying about the missing child that was either lost or frolicking with friends. Felicita was sensitive enough to work tirelessly for the missionaries in the foreign countries that they served....and yet, the day that she received the tragic news of the mysterious death of her youngest child, she quickly pulled up her shields and as she braced herself, this woman radiated strength and fortitude to her grieving family.

Once again, Felicita faced her darkest Sunday and amazed us all with her ability to detach herself from the turbulence that wanted desperately to engulf her. It was that special grace under pressure that cleared a path for a truly remarkable woman. We knew that Felicita was bold and determined. We also knew that she was determined and detached, but through the years, we also found out that she was the adhesive, the bandage, the "MASH" unit and the diplomatic sedative that kept our families together. she bridged the gap of gender and within or sphere and that reality leads us to examine the reason why we miss her and what lessons we should all earn from the life that she lived and the legacy that she left us. There are many who subscribe to the belief that those who die should be forgotten and never mentioned ever again. I do not subscribe to that philosophy. There are people that die and yet, their words, their examples and deeds live on from generation to generation. Felicita M. Serrano has left behind something that will never die. what she has left us will never be forgotten. what she instilled in all of us Will never fade away. Her many tear-filled prayers for her family will never go unanswered. As each year passes, the turbulence of our times will always serve to remind us all of the tall, noble and majestic woman who taught us well and who continues to teach us the way..With Her Enduring Legacy!