by Olman Valle Hernández
My father, Marvin Hernández has just given his soul to the Lord due to a heart attack this December 31st in the city of Managua, Nicaragua. He was 65 years old.
Today the entire Hernández family is mourning his death. He was a great husband, father and grandfather, much loved by all the family and friends.
Born in Nagarote on September 9, 1958, my father, Mr. Hernández, was passionate about baseball from a very young age, the official sport of Nicaragua, which he practiced from his childhood until his adulthood. He proudly participated in patriotic Military Service in Nicaragua in the 80s, and was a great music lover.
He married my mother, Mrs. Lesbia López, in 1989, from whose marriage eight children were born, Gisella, Marvin junior, Darling, Marlín, Damaris, Luis, Adrián, Olman (this writer), and Helena, of whom there were 12 grandchildren who will miss their grandpa.
With his famous phrase “forward always”, he managed to fill all his sons and daughters with encouragement and emptiness regardless of the circumstances and attacks of life. He was able to develop his own gunpowder business, an activity that takes on a lot of commercial relevance during the month of November and December in the city of León and Chinandega.
When I was a child he told me a thousand stories, we would chat for long hours like two great friends. After I left him, I cried and missed him a lot.
Today that I am an adult, it visits me in my thoughts, much more so on days like today. I remember him always wise, always honest, always concerned about me and my brothers and sisters.
He loved me with a deep and sincere love, and although he did not have millions to give me, I thank him for his inheritance, which was his immense love. That man was my father.
It will be painful when Father’s Day comes. Today at the end of the year 2023, my hero, my protector, my bravest soldier, is no longer here. On this day I can proudly say that I had the best father in the world.
As I write these words, there in Managua a few hours ago, he was placed in his coffin, and he is being viewed in our house in Barrio El Vigil where a religious ceremony will be held for him. His remains will be taken to the municipal cemetery at 9 a.m. for his eternal rest.
Note from the Editor: Olman Valle Hernández is a contributing reporter for El Reportero in SF.