My parents were married in the
early 1960s. Cesario and Maria knew each other much like
many folks meet today: They worked together. They had mutual
friends in the agriculture industry. Cesario was from Durango, Mexico.
Maria was from Delecias Chihuahua, Mexico. As their marriage
progressed and family began, My dad would become foreman of the
Passage-Devore rose company in the Suprise Arizona area. My dad
was what would be termed workaholic today. Back then he was just a
good hard worker. My mom, like many women of her day, would
eventually stay home to raise me and my older brother at our home in
Peoria, Arizona. I can't tell you enough about all the great foods my
mom cooked for us. She could make miracles, even when our
cupboards were bare.
early 1960s. Cesario and Maria knew each other much like
many folks meet today: They worked together. They had mutual
friends in the agriculture industry. Cesario was from Durango, Mexico.
Maria was from Delecias Chihuahua, Mexico. As their marriage
progressed and family began, My dad would become foreman of the
Passage-Devore rose company in the Suprise Arizona area. My dad
was what would be termed workaholic today. Back then he was just a
good hard worker. My mom, like many women of her day, would
eventually stay home to raise me and my older brother at our home in
Peoria, Arizona. I can't tell you enough about all the great foods my
mom cooked for us. She could make miracles, even when our
cupboards were bare.
February 17th, 1975 -My dad died.
It is so hard when you lose your dad at the age of eight. I
mean, come on, my concept of death up to that day was
Wiley Coyote falling off a cliff only to come back for more
later. Dad never came back from the cliff. I used to be
so conflicted from when he left us, through my college
years. I'd ask God all the time: Why? One night, in a very
profound dream I got my answer. I never asked again.
My only regret is that the most I know about him is in this
picture. The car, the fun in the snow and his
occasional smile, when he was about to have some
fun with us.
Click here for another of my Dads memories.
It is so hard when you lose your dad at the age of eight. I
mean, come on, my concept of death up to that day was
Wiley Coyote falling off a cliff only to come back for more
later. Dad never came back from the cliff. I used to be
so conflicted from when he left us, through my college
years. I'd ask God all the time: Why? One night, in a very
profound dream I got my answer. I never asked again.
My only regret is that the most I know about him is in this
picture. The car, the fun in the snow and his
occasional smile, when he was about to have some
fun with us.
Click here for another of my Dads memories.
My brother and me had a pretty good
childhood all things considered. One
thing I've learned is that no matter
what comes at you in life, if you have
the support of a great parent (s) -like
my mom, you can be very poor and
never know it. We were rich -if the
standard was love.
childhood all things considered. One
thing I've learned is that no matter
what comes at you in life, if you have
the support of a great parent (s) -like
my mom, you can be very poor and
never know it. We were rich -if the
standard was love.
I hung out with my mom a bunch when I was
in grade school. We went to church (nice suit huh?) and I
also saw a bunch of spanish movies with her. Every Sunday
we went to a theater called the "PALACE WEST" which at
the time was a run down beat up old theater with
balconies and even opera boxes... I played in every nook
and cranny and orchestra section of that place. I explored the
heck out of it.
Many years later a historical society would invest
millions to restore the historic ORPHEUM downtown.
Now it's host to some really high society events, but
when I was a kid. It was my kingdom! See pictures of
it here and more pictures here.
in grade school. We went to church (nice suit huh?) and I
also saw a bunch of spanish movies with her. Every Sunday
we went to a theater called the "PALACE WEST" which at
the time was a run down beat up old theater with
balconies and even opera boxes... I played in every nook
and cranny and orchestra section of that place. I explored the
heck out of it.
Many years later a historical society would invest
millions to restore the historic ORPHEUM downtown.
Now it's host to some really high society events, but
when I was a kid. It was my kingdom! See pictures of
it here and more pictures here.
I made this page as a
tribute to my mom Maria.
She taught me and my
brother so much for
someone who had so much
adversity thrown at her.
Cancer survivor, Stroke
survivor, 40 years of diabetes.
She had no education past some
minor home schooling & yet she
attended college in her late 40's.
She was a single parent in the
mid 1970's with two young kids
and always found ways to help
us find our way, she taught us
responsibility, accountability and
most of all, that even if life is not
all roses... you can still have a
great family and move forward.
-As long as you have love and
faith.
tribute to my mom Maria.
She taught me and my
brother so much for
someone who had so much
adversity thrown at her.
Cancer survivor, Stroke
survivor, 40 years of diabetes.
She had no education past some
minor home schooling & yet she
attended college in her late 40's.
She was a single parent in the
mid 1970's with two young kids
and always found ways to help
us find our way, she taught us
responsibility, accountability and
most of all, that even if life is not
all roses... you can still have a
great family and move forward.
-As long as you have love and
faith.
| My mothers greatest fight for 40 years was an ongoing battle with DIABETES. One day I hope we can find a cure so people like my mom can have a much better life. She always says to us "take care of yourselves and take care of your kids" and I find myself saying that to friends of mine with diabetes as well. Get educated and more information about diabetes here. |
Momma left us on February 29th, 2008. It was much like her to pick a day that would only come once
every 4 years. She hated the fact that we always remembered Feb 17th as the day dad died. In her and
God's way, this was one of her final gifts to us. She left me & my brother with all the skills and wisdom of
a great mother. It was our honor to give her Grandchildren that she loved so much... and they loved her
so. Mom had amazing bonds with a lot of the children in our extended family as well.
If anything defines her, it's etched in her headstone: "She loved her children, all of them" -Amen
every 4 years. She hated the fact that we always remembered Feb 17th as the day dad died. In her and
God's way, this was one of her final gifts to us. She left me & my brother with all the skills and wisdom of
a great mother. It was our honor to give her Grandchildren that she loved so much... and they loved her
so. Mom had amazing bonds with a lot of the children in our extended family as well.
If anything defines her, it's etched in her headstone: "She loved her children, all of them" -Amen
