From Colonoscopies to Kindness: Lessons From El Abuelo Marco

Dear 20th of November,

I aspire to emulate my grandfather as I grow older. It's widely known that with age comes wisdom, a sentiment that holds for my grandparents– and, fingers crossed, for my father too (just kidding, Papi, you're a wisdom fountain). Having recently turned 91, my abuelo Marco is no stranger when it comes to age. Having said this, you already know he is a man of pure wisdom; he is the equivalent to the realms of wisdom as Miles Davis was to the realm of Jazz, the GOAT. In addition to the bars of wisdom, he spits out left and right, he too is so incredibly kind and charismatic that I'm dedicating a blog post to him so we can all together learn from the fearless 5'2" figure he is today, representing the best of its kind as a global Fort Lauderdale citizen.

The real Top G at Walmart

The man himself posing

Eating his grandson's food :)

Cheeky visit at the hospital

Before we embark on this whirlwind of pure love for the funniest man I know, a bit of context is in order. Today, at 9:10 AM, I touched down in Fort Lauderdale, eager to greet my grandparents from my dad's side. They reside in Fort Lauderdale, in case you missed the memo! I last saw them a year ago in Venezuela and, before that, it had been a whopping 8 years since our Florida reunion. Given such rare opportunities, I make the most of our time together, and what better way to catch up than through conversation? I know, groundbreaking.

Last night, my abuelo and I were talking about our morning routines, what we eat for breakfast, bathroom stuff, rituals we have, etc. Amidst the convo, I found out that he wakes up at 1 a.m. every single morning, like any other normal person. He then elaborates on his "morning rituals" (don't look at me like that; we all have them): a sip of water, a bathroom visit– typical stuff. But here's the twist, after the standard morning routine, he dedicates about 30 minutes of his brisk life to meticulously cutting up fruits for my grandma. Pears, grapes, melon, and the berries at home, are artfully arranged on a plate according to her preferences, from the tiniest bites to the grandest. After this extreme act of love and kindness, he stashes the plate in the fridge, ensuring she enjoys a breakfast made with love.

If that doesn't scream "Holy! What a King!" or "Husband Material," or "Damn, he's a bit psycho waking up at 1 a.m.," then I don't know what to tell you. While it may not be as intricate as a breakfast crafted by a Michelin-starred chef, this gesture surpasses what even newly wedded couples or relationships in their "honeymoon phase" typically undertake– let alone when they are 91 freaking years of age. 

The King with the grand bowl of fruits he had in the fridge that night (he woke me up at 1:36 a.m. to take this picture)

And let's not forget our chat about his retirement. School never covered it, along with taxes, leasing, citizenship documentation, basic cooking, job interview preparation, or anything about navigating life beyond Biology. My abuelo was a doctor his whole life, that's actually how he met his equally awesome partner in crime, my Abuelita Yeya. He adored, correction, adores his profession. In gastroenterology (specialised doctors that deal with disorders and diseases that affect the digestive system), he left behind a legacy in Venezuela and globally with his publications and research, by publishing the first-ever comprehensive book about Colonoscopy polypectomy in Spanish ("Polipectomia Colonoscopica"), and his contribution to the prestigious El Ávila clinic and University Hospital of Caracas. 

His dedication and passion are characteristics I deeply admire and intend to pursue as I move into the "real deal" of life. Marco Matos retired at 79, and his retirement decision, in my opinion, was not just wholehearted but extremely professional. Dealing with life and death scenarios, he had a personal rule: retire if he ever compromised a patient's well-being. And one day, it happened. In his office, faced with prescribing medication, he drew a blank. He forgot a drug he had dealt with for years. To save face, he sat and pretended to 'read' the patient's file, hoping the name would come to him. After about four thoughtful minutes, it did. He went home, greeted my grandma, and declared, "The day has come, I'm retiring." Now, that's a badass ending to a remarkable career.

As this blog attests, my gratitude and respect for my grandfather knows no bounds– his infectious humor, professionalism, and caring nature. The examples I've shared merely scratch the surface of his record of kind acts. From crafting love-infused breakfasts to his principled retirement, he embodies values I cherish. 

Born into such an incredible family, I carry these lessons, hoping to pass them on. With genuine sincerity, I express gratitude for the countless lessons he has indirectly taught me, and now, hopefully you too. May we all strive to be a little more like El Abuelo Marco, waking up at 1 a.m. for selfless breakfast and knowing when it's time to transition to new chapters with grace and flair.