Sobre Mesa Karen Reina on Ili

After reading the incredible stories shared about Ili, it only confirmed what I already knew: I wish I had known her long before I had the pleasure to meet her.

My first insight of Ili was actually before I ever saw or talked to her. It was when my son brought home this kind, thoughtful, beautiful woman who was later to become my daughter-in-law, Tess. You can tell a lot about a person(s) by their children; and it was easy to see why my son was so enamored with Tess. She was obviously raised in a loving home and I knew she must have had wonderful parents and a special family that I had yet to meet.

This brings me to the story I would like to share about Ili. When my family arrived in Lewes last July for Dan & Tess’s wedding, we were able to spend a couple of days getting to know everyone better and just having an absolute wonderful time. The first night at dinner at Dan & Ili’s place, as we finished eating, I immediately started to get up and do what I was always taught to do: Clean up after myself. Ili proceeded to tell me in a very kind way that I should sit down and enjoy the conversation and relax. This was the first time I had ever heard the phrase “Sobre Mesa”. When the meaning was explained to me, all I could think of was what an awesome way that this is to spend time with family. “Family”, by the way, was the way we referred to each other from the get go. I think Ili made everyone feel special in that manner.

In the beginning of the “stories” page of this site, it explains how in Latin culture a person dies a second time when they are forgotten. I know Ili will live on for an extended period of time as can be seen by the love she has spread amongst us all. My wish is that everyone takes whatever they can to enjoy Sobre Mesa and carry on Ili’s name and tradition.