Until my grandmother (abuelita) died in 1970 she was one of my principal mentors. I find it comforting that my Rosemary was able to meet her.

My Abue (pronounced Ahbweh) educated me as my mother was always busy teaching. Abue never told me not to do something but would always explain the consequences if I did it. She inculcated me with the refrains and advice of Don Quijote de la Mancha. From her I inherited my sweet tooth.

There is an extra connection with her. As a little boy I was raised to be a Roman Catholic by her and Abue explained a lot of the doctrine.

Today is Good Friday (Viernes Santo) and I will never forget those Good Fridays in Buenos Aires in 1950 and onward. I was prohibited from listening to music (the radio) or going out to play with my friends. It was a sombre day where she would read out the appropriate words from the New Testament with my mother.

Now looking back I can connect the day in which all I could hear were the sounds of my environment and think it was my early lesson in understanding why 4’33” by John Cage is one of my favourite compositions.