It's unfortunate that family relationships start to erode in the course of time. And sometimes give rise to distorted rumors. Usually, though, the family ties unravel because as the generations continue to accumulate there just isn't enough time to maintain those ties. And, like untended fires they become a pile of ashes with just enough of an ember to rekindle during "milestone events".
We come together during marriages and deaths. I like marriages better. Don't you? Funerals and Memorials have a surreal finality about them. In time reality hits home.
Over the past few days there has been great sorrow and great discoveries in our family.
My brother-in-law Elmer passed away on 8/25/2014. after a ling illness. He was a kind, gentle, quiet and strong Christian man who loved his family.He also continued to do physically strenuous work to help others. His Celebration of Life Memorial Service was held Saturday 9/6/2014. The service was led by a man who had served alongside my b-i-l in prison and nursing home ministries. Several family members were there to provide emotional support to my sister & nephew. God bless them. He came from a large family. His mother was also physically able to attend. Thank God they all love my sister so much. His youngest sister shared her memories. My nephew came up with the idea of a Memory Basket. Several people shared their memories. I can only pray those pieces of paper give him comfort over the next few years because his father impacted so many people. My nephew said his Dad had told him he couldn't go Home, Heaven, until he had evangelized a given number of people. Elmer evangelized 5 people during our yard sale at their home. He left a beautiful garden for my sister. He will be missed.
This is a picture of the Garcia Family reunion 7/21/1985. We took generation pictures. Then this that we named the "out-laws" instead of the in-laws. Elmer is standing behind the tallest guy.
I was able to connect with my cousin Jerry after almost 8 years. We grew up together and got into so much mischief as kids. Whenever we got together, up into our 30s, we were 7 years old again and would just laugh and look for mischief:) I am 7 months older than him:) When I called him about Elmer the first words out of his mouth were, "What's happened?" But we have reconnected!
Friday 9/5/2014 I opened the Albuquerque Journal to the obits and a picture caught my eye because the resemblance to my oldest aunt was uncanny. The name on the obit is Elesta Griego. My great-grandmother's name? Sure enough. This is a cousin! She is Tio Alfonso's oldest daughter. Elesta was 95 years old! When I got on the mortuary website to post condolences I found a story written by her son that pointed to her tenacity and humor. She loved to gamble and had to be physically taken out of a casino because the time to leave had come:) He had been cashing in her winnings while she played to her heart's content. But, was not happy about being carried out until he gave her $700:) Too cute.
Also, the positive outcome is that more family connections are made through cousin Alicia!! Elesta is her grand-aunt! Another ember in the pile of ashes.
Another family mystery solved!
I joined newspapers.com to be able to work into the night on genealogy. Instead of limited time at the library. I typed in Grandpa Julian father's name. Wow! In the Albuquerque Citizen a story titled TWO DEATHS was this:
My great-great-grandmother, Juana Lorensa and my great-grandfather, Jose, died just hours apart. Her age is reported as 90, but she was 81. The article also states that he left 7 children. Another mystery, or, incorrect information? This also matches up to the old church records I found. And, this makes sense why my Grandpa Julian stated that he didn't like his grandmother. They lived in the same house. I wrongly believed they lived in separate houses. But that's another story.
Please keep our persecuted brothers and sisters in prayer. May our Father in heaven bless you mightily in the coming days.
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