I
am truly proud of my family, recognizing the struggles
my parents had in providing for ten children. There
is a diversity among us that oftentimes has seemed
insurmountable, in that each of us is so exasperatingly
different.
My
Dad worked hard to provide for us, and worked even
harder still to build up the house which I now currently
own. I have come back after so many years to live
in the same house that I grew up in. All of the
rooms reflect my Dad's handiwork, with some assistance
provided by myself and two of my brothers. There
are many memories here, of both Mom and Dad, along
with what it was like to be one of ten siblings.
My
Mom was also a truly gifted person, passing her
days as a housewife, mother, cook, artist, teacher,
and Church-goer. She passed away in January of 2001,
but is remembered and loved for the joy and memories
she provided.
Mom was Tex-Mex from Pendleton, Texas. Her parents
came from Mexico and spoke only Spanish throughout
their lifetimes. It was through her that we gained
our own sense of being "mexicano" and
the culture, the food, and the language that are
so deeply ingrained in our being.
Dad is half Mexican, half Czech. His Mother was
of Czech origin, and that influenced our lives to
a degree, in that we listened to the "Czech
Melody Hour" every Sunday - which was broadcast
from Temple, TX, where I was born.
Mexican dances, piñatas, making tamales,
church bazaars (jamaicas), six sisters and three
brothers, Sunday visits to Grandparents, umpteen
Aunts and Uncles, and even more cousins! These were
all a part of the heritage I enjoyed as a result
of my parents' being. Up times and down times, family
always came first. Spanish here, English there,
and A Ja Sam Sunday afternoons.
Thanks Mom and Dad, for all you did for us. And
special thanks for always encouraging each of us
to simply be who we are!