Inspired by a Dream
"As powerful as you are here in your realm, Dreams rarely survive in the waking world. Nightmares, on the other hand, seem to thrive there.” – Lucienne, from the 2022 series, THE SANDMAN The Christmas Cards 1996 are beginning to trickle-in, and I am loving the ones that I am receiving from Family that I have never met who write me with new information (more names, dates, but few stories). I am beginning to realize that the family stories and photographs are much more interesting than mere names, birthplaces and birthdates.
In the meantime, I also received a postcard of a Wrought Iron Volkswagen bug from Barbara Reynolds. She does find some innovative images. Apparently, a guy named Joe Gomez was inspired by a dream and spent 9-months building this VW. He was trying to sell it according to Barbara’s postcard and the car appeared in a book and film entitle WILD WHEELS by Harrod Blank of El Cerrito, CA. In Barbara’s words:
Dear Michael,
Happy I received your bike stamps. I will use some of them for my English Relations Holiday Communications.
I finally saw the movie BOUND last weekend. I thought it was funny and beautiful (like the DRAKKAR NOIR card you sent me).
Our coworker, Joan Lyons, turns the big 50 December 9th and is temporarily promoted over the past two months, training manager for our office (something she is great at).
Look at me. Ha. Hmm Yum, Kosher Turkey...no wonder you are in Heaven.
I just read a quote from Abe Lincoln: “Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be.”
Today, I am beginning another step toward taking care of my thyroid and trying to understand why I am so afraid of this. Guess some kind of faith or power thing?
What kind of car do you drive now? I am going to get body work for my car beginning in 1997. Resolved and decided I will get all of my storage stuff this month since I’ve completed the one-year mark here. I am getting things in order. Hooray for Sagittarius focus. It’s a nice change of energy. Later.
Love, Barbara
I loved a letter/Christmas Card I received this week from my first cousin (once removed) named James Garcia. He was born in Ledoux, Mora County, NM but now lives in Cheyenne, Wyoming. His mother was Mela (aka Manuelita Garcia), my grandmother Mathilde’s younger sister. James looks like a film star.
Photo: James Lorenzo Garcia b. June 22, 1932, Ledoux, NM d. June 20, 2004, Cheyenne, WY
Dear Michael,
It was nice to hear from you and know I have another cousin. I hope my answers to your questions will help you in the Family Tree research. If you have any more questions in which I can help you write or call me at 307-634-6804. I am very interested in hearing from you again and in the history.
Your Cousin,
Jim Garcia
Answers to your questions:
I was born on June 22, 1932 in Murphy, Ledoux, NM. I am married to my dear wife, Susie Romero Garcia. We were married in Greeley, CO on Feb. 25, 1952. We have three sons: Jimmy (James R Garcia) b. Nov. 16, 1952; Lloyd J Garcia b. Sept. 6, 1956; Lawrence V Garcia b. Jan. 8, 1958. I retired from the Union Pacific Railroad after 42 years. My phone number is 307-634-6804.
Mela (my mother) was born on May 25, 1907 in New Mexico; she died July 4, 1996 in Cheyenne, WY. Mela and Alejandro Fresquiez had 6 children; 3 died as infants.
Currently living:
Joe A Garcia, Santa Clara, CA 408-246-6202 (my brother b. 1924)
Susie Rosser, Moore, Oklahoma (my sister b. 1934)
Alejandro Garcia (Fresquiez) was my father born in NM on March 12, 1900. He was adopted by an uncle by the last name of Fresquiez). My father, Alejandro, disappeared from here in Cheyenne, WY on November 30, 1982 and has never been found. It’s a mystery.
Photo: Mela Garcia
My mother, Mela, remarried to Adelaido Cisneros and had four children: Joe Jr. b. 1940 d. Nov. 1995 in Cheyenne, WY, Joe Jr. had been missing, now deceased; Fred b. 1942; Ella b. 1944, she lives in Greeley, CO; Johnny b. 1948. Both Fred and Johnny also live in Cheyenne, WY. Your Cousin, Jim Garcia
My dad’s first cousin, Eva Tafoya-Montoya, wrote a new, informative letter this week from Farmington, NM. While she, too, listed dates and names, if you read between the lines, you might find a word, a phrase or some tidbit that does provide a story. My cousin James Garcia did it, too. And if the complete story isn't there, I know I can always be inspired by a dream.
Dec. 4, 1996
Dear Michael,
I was surprised to get a reply so soon. I’m also glad to be getting acquainted with you. I hope we can meet in person someday. If you come to NM next year, be sure to stop by. Yes, I know your Aunt Esther, my cousin and some of her sisters and Tony and Orolio.
My Aunt Matilde (your grandmother) and her husband (your grandfather) went to Denver, CO. I don’t know what year it was. They stopped at my parents' house (Jesusita Garcia and Juan Bautista Tafoya). They had two little boys (one must have been your father). I didn’t see my Aunt Matilde again until 1945. She went to see my mother (her sister) before she died on April 28, 1945. My mother was staying with me. She died in my house. I was the first one to marry from my family, so I kind of missed out on a lot of things about the family.
I remember my grandparents: Savino Garcia and Juanita Sanchez-Garcia. I know all of my uncles and aunts, but I was just 11-years old when we moved to Colorado (from NM). I didn’t come back until 1970. My father was still living, and he came with us. I wouldn’t have found my way without him. In 1972, we bought some property in Mora, NM and we used to come there on vacation every year. I go reacquainted with my Uncle Tony. I knew Aunt Julia (Eulalia Garcia b. 1896 d. 1977) the best because she lived in Denver for a long time. She had the two daughters Martha and Violet Casados. Martha died but I still see Vi once in a while when we go to Albuquerque. I see Esther sometimes when my daughter or son-in-law take us. My husband and I don’t drive anymore except around town. Farmington is a small town, and we like it here. We’ve been living here since 1988. My daughter, Isabel, lives here. She has one child, a boy named Ryan. She and her husband, Robert Sherrill, are both working, so my husband and I look after Ryan. Ryan is 11-years old, in the 6th grade. They are very busy—like all families nowadays.
My son, Patrick Montoya, is not married, so he comes up for the holidays and on vacation. He lives in Tucson, AZ, as does my oldest son, Frank. Frank Montoya is married and has two children (a boy named Arturo b. 1990 and a daughter named Aryan b. 1986). This is his second marriage. He has three grown daughters from his first marriage Cynthia Ann b. 1957; Karen Lynn b. 1959 and Teresa Joan b. 1960. These three daughters each have two children. We have 13-grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, so you see, it’s quite a family.
I discouraged you from calling. Why? Is it because my husband and I are hard-of-hearing? We wear hearing aids but it’s very hard to talk on the phone. I will keep on writing to you. However, did you have a good Thanksgiving? Do write and tell me about yourself. Are you married? Until next time.
God Bless You.
Always Your Cousin, Eva
Eva continued with a list of names of her brothers and sisters, adding a note:
“All of my brothers, except Gilbert, have children but I can’t remember names or birthdates. We are expecting my niece, Linda Tafoya-Wright. I have never met her. She is my brother, Sam’s daughter. She lives in Apple Valley, CA. I think they will be here sometime between Christmas and New Year's. The family is scattered all over. I know the whereabouts of my children but not my nieces and nephews. I think it’s a good idea to trace your Family History. My daughter has done a lot of research on the Tafoya and Montoya names, but she doesn’t have much time to work on it. It takes time.
As Always,
Your Cousin, Eva Montoya"
Besides my usual Charles Schwab & Co. working hours I have been entering all of this new Family History information in a somewhat organized manner by using a website called ANCESTRY. In the meantime, Alan, is busy with his Bagel business empire. He recently went to Texas to meet with investors and investigate new locations over there. He wrote me from the Omni Mandalay Hotel at Las Colinas in Irving, Texas:
Dec. 6, 1996 Dear Michael,
I’m so excited about your Family History but you insulted me on the phone tonight. You didn’t seem interested in my day, flight, meetings or plans. So, I figured I’d write you and tell you.
We saw six BAGEL BOULEVARDS today. They are the best bagel concept around. The guy that owns the company owned 275 Pizza Huts and sold them back to Pepsi. He might listen to us but will probably sell to EINSTEIN’s BAGELS.
Gregg learned a lot about their operation, and we picked up a lot of general information.
The plane ride here was terrible. It was like a roller-coaster.
I really want a vacation with you away from it all.
I miss you
Tomorrow it’s off to more bagel stores and then leaving for NY at 3:45pm to Newark, NJ
I Love You
Happy Hannukah
It’s 12 midnight. Good night.
Please pay more attention to me. I need it.
Love,
Alan
December 8, 1996
Dear Michael,
Hi! I had your Xmas Card sealed and ready to go when I received yours, so I’m sending this to give you the addresses you asked for my sister, Liz Lucero, and my dad, Howard Lucero. I will search for extra family photos. Are you thinking of publishing this Family Tree in any way. Maybe a website? Have I mentioned that Ryan has a website? He can say more about that later. By the way, to set the record straight, my middle name is “Jean” not all. Granny Lucero gest that confused sometimes. Liz’s middle name is Anne.
Anyway, will see you soon.
Love, Carol
And the week wouldn’t be the same without a new, sensual card from Dorothy Rua. Ha-ha. She’s getting back at me because I often send her similar romancing-the-stone type of cards that seem to be inspired by a dream.
12-9-96
Dear Michael,
I can only imagine how much fun your 12/7 Christmas Party was. I still wish I could have made it. You’re going to have to share all of the details.
I’m arriving on Southwest Flight 585 at 10:15AM on Sunday 12/29 and departing 1/1 at 7:30PM (or a little earlier, I’m not sure). As I said on the phone, don’t worry about the time you get back into town on the 29th. There’s a shuttle that will take me from LAX to the Best Western Jamaica Bay Inn and I can explore the immediate area when I get there. If you need to nap when you get back just call me when you wake up. Don’t want you tired!
Finished, THE ENGLISH PATIENT book and I’m anxious to see the movie with you. The book was really good, and I heard the movie follows the book pretty well. Saw RANSOM with Rosemarie, yesterday. I’m not a Mel Gibson fan but the movie was pretty good. I still have to watch the movies on video you recommended. Looking forward to quiet time when I can do that. I’m sure that time is coming.
Life moves along here. Just a bit busier with the holidays. Hope I can stay away from most of the holiday treats, especially the homemade fudge.
It’s been a while since I’ve sent a risqué card. Thought it was time, even if it’s homemade.
Thinking of you, always. Get that cold glass of chardonnay ready for me.
Love,
Dorothy
A cousin I’ve never met named DAVID QUINTANA wrote me from Albuquerque. He’s a second cousin and it’s kind of cool because he is only one year older than I. His maternal grandfather, Augustin Garcia, and my grandmother, Mathilde Garcia, were brother and sister.
Michael,
It was really good to hear from you. I’m glad to hear you are going good in the L.A. Marathon and so on. Good luck.
Would you please send me a copy of our Family Tree? I would really appreciate it. Here is my telephone number in Albuquerque, NM.
I sold a business I had for five and a half years after my wife died. I just invest in real estate accounts right now. My job is like a Mr. Mom. I have a full-time job bringing up my kids (Danette Quintana b. 1989 and Adam Quintana b.1993).
God Bless you and maybe at the end of December I’ll be going to California. I’ll call you if I do.
Your cousin,
David Quintana
Funny, because the same day I received a Christmas Card from David’s mom, Beatrice Garcia-Quintana. She wrote a note that I thought courageous by using the phrase 'if I don't die before'. It made me want to meet her even more.
If I don’t die before we might meet someday. This is my phone number.
Here I am sending you the pictures of my granddaughters, the twins are Jerry and Florence. These twins came to Jerry’s family through Florence’s side. Her dad was a twin. The twins are 18 years old and are cheerleaders. If possible save me this picture. Thanks.
Love,
Beatrice
One more Christmas Card arrived from Las Vegas, NM this week. It was from Josie Garcia Abeyta (and her husband, Joe G Abeyta). Josie’s father is Augustine Garcia (my grandma Mathilde’s brother). Her note was simple and to the point. It was refreshing to get word of a ‘small-in-size' family. Ha-ha
Wishing you that special happiness only Christmas brings.
Here I am sending you, my family. It’s small: 1-son, 1-daughter, 1-granddaughter.
I married Joe G Abeyta on March 13, 1941. Joe was born in Las Vegas, NM on 12/24/1923. I was born on 10/27/1924.
My son is Larry G Abeyta who married Joann Abeyta in March 1990. The live in Albuquerque. My granddaughter (Larry’s daughter) is Debby Abeyta Garcia b. January 11, 1966, who married Kerry Garcia. They have a daughter (my granddaughter), Nicole Marie Garcia, b. Sept. 8, 1996.
My daughter, Mary K Abeyta was born on Sept. 19, 1945. She is single, living in Hobbs, NM.
“There ain’t nobody in the world like book people. It’s a business of gentleman and gentlewomen.” --Gabrielle Zevin,THE STORIED LIFE OF A.J. FIKRY, a novel
