Fernando Astocondor Salazar Lopez
Always close to family, always remembered for the simple moments we shared.
Some of my favorite childhood memories take me back to my grandmother Mama Alcira's house, where my uncle Fernando, known throughout our family as tio Nano, was almost always there. Whether we were spending the weekend together, enjoying a simple meal, or getting ready for a day at the beach, he became a familiar part of many of the moments that made those years so special.
One of the first things that always comes to mind when I think about tio Nano is that he is the tallest uncle in our family. It is a simple detail, but one that has always made him easy to recognize whenever the entire family gathers together.
Whenever I travel back to Peru, one of my first stops is my grandmother Alcira's home, and tio Nano is almost always there by her side. As the son who has remained closest to her, he has taken on much of the responsibility of looking after her and making sure she is well cared for. I always appreciate how attentive he is, asking where we plan to go, making sure she is safe, and reminding both of us to be careful. During the COVID pandemic, I especially remember how insistent he was that we both wear our masks to protect her. Those small reminders reflected how much he cared about her wellbeing.
Some of my favorite memories with tio Nano come from spending weekends and vacations at my grandmother's house. Late at night, he would sometimes prepare buttered pasta for all of us. Looking back now, we laugh about how much butter those noodles probably had, but at the time they tasted amazing. Those simple late-night meals became part of the memories that many of us cousins still remember with a smile.
Another memory I cherish is spending summer days at the beach with tio Nano. Whenever we were staying at my grandmother Mama Alcira's house during the summer, it was common for us to spend the day by the ocean. Together with my cousins, especially my cousin Luis Fernando, we would head to the beach as a family. Those outings were simple, fun, and became some of the memories I still enjoy looking back on today.
Although tio Nano has always been a quiet and reserved person, he has remained close to our family throughout the years. He may not have been the most talkative uncle, but he was always part of many family gatherings and many of the simple moments I remember growing up. When I think back on my childhood, those are the memories that come to mind, and they are the ones I will always remember with affection.