IF IT WASN'T FOR YOU
When you know your name, you should hang on to it, for unless it is noted down and remembered, it will die when you do. --Toni Morrison, in her book, SONG OF SOLOMON The Christmas cards were on a roll this week with more new family information gathering.
My former coworker/friend, Reed Campbell, sent the eye-opening, unexpected holiday card. I had to laugh. I also had to put a pen in front of a certain ‘private parts section’ to avoid this entry from being charged with an X-rating:
Glory! That’s a big ol’ thing! Happy Holidays.
The best of everything.
Always,
Reed
I received another delightful, typewritten letter from my cousin, Oscar Cordova. He and his wife wrote a great history of his family and it cleared some of the information for which I was in-the-dark.
December 11, 1996
Dear Michael,
Hello! How are you doing? We are presently doing O.K. Just getting over flu and colds. The weather this year has really been crazy. What we need is a big snowstorm to clean the air.
I want first to THANK YOU for contacting me about my family. I would often think and wonder about the other family members. Never even to think that one day I would have the opportunity to learn and maybe know some of them.
It was so much of a surprise to hear from you. I’ve talked to Nellie (my mother) twice since last Friday. Made me feel good and her, also. I’m going to send her a few of the most recent pictures that we have taken. If you all plan on getting together for the holidays you will get to see my family in pictures.
I received your letter Tuesday right before I left for work. I looked at it when I got home from work that night. My wife, Elsie Lucero-Cordova, and I will try to follow your outline of the family tree and provide as much information as we can.
A little history of myself. I was raised by my grandmother, Trinidad Sandoval-Cordova, in Holman, NM. As for my dad, well, he was killed in Mora, NM when I was 12-years old. He was working at the Steel Mill in Pueblo, CO. He would go home on weekends. My sisters, Sandra (Rita) was 11-years old and Mary Jean was 7-years old.
I worked a couple of summers in Denver on Construction Building Homes. I met my wife, Elsie, in the summer of 1960. Then, in May 1961, I graduated from Mora High School in NM. That same night I came to Denver to find a job to better myself. I found a job in landscaping and taking care of the lawn in a golf course. Elsie graduated from Westminster Hight School in May 1962. She started to work at Keebler Company. She quit when we had our first son. Two years later she went back to work at Keebler Company and has been there since.
Elsie and I were married on July 6, on September 7, 1964. We bought our first home in October of the same year. We had our first son, Manuel Eugene Cordova, on September 7, 1964. Our second son, Archie Ray Cordova, was born on August 30, 1968. We moved to our second home in July 1970. That is where we are presently living. I have remodeled and added on to the house, doing a lot of changing to it in order to eliminate work for when I get older and retire.
I started to work at Keebler Company on July 13, 1970. I worked first shift as an oven operator, baking crackers for KRAFT FOODS (the ones that KRAFT puts into small packages with cheese. I transferred to second shift in 1994 as a mixer. Now I make the dough for all the Graham Crackers on second shift. One dough weighs approximately 2800 pounds. Elsie has worked at Keebler Company since September 8, 1966. She is a line manager. In fact, she is my manager for I make doughs for her line. This makes her job a little easier for it is very difficult. Some operators don’t take ownership of their jobs. She has a lot of area to cover.
We built a cabin in the Green Mountain Reservoir. This is 27 miles from Silverthorne and Dillon. Maybe you have heard of Vail, Colorado. Well, it’s further east and north. We, as a family, built the cabin from leveling the ground to actually building it. It’s a 2-bedroom with kitchen, living room, attached garage and a big patio/porch. The cabin is right along the lake shore. We hunt big game, fish, and go boating. Mostly water ski (the kids do that mostly now). In the winter we go up a few times for ice fishing and snowmobile on the lake.
My son, Manuel, graduated from high school and went to Mesa College for 3.5 years. He quit for he was tired of being broke. In the summer of 1987, he met Lloydine Marie Mandonado (born Sept. 13, 1961) and they married on May 28, 1988. He now has returned to get his degree for surveying. This is what he is doing now. Lloydine works for the State of Colorado. Their first son, Manuel Eugene Cordova Jr. Was born on May 4, 1989. Their daughter, Marisa Elosia, was born on December 29, 1993. Manuel has been buying his house since before he got married. He also has a cabin up the hill from ours.
Archie Ray graduated from high school and works for a food warehouse as a forklift driver. He moved out when he was 23 years old. He also bought his home when he was 21 years old. He rented it for a couple of years and then moved into it. He, also, has a cabin not too far from his brother. His house is only a couple of blocks from his brother. Also, Archie met his wife, Sharon Louise Martinez (born January 29, 1967) in February of 1993. They married on August 19, 1995. Sharon is a mail carrier for the post office. They presently have no children, only a black lab named Midnight (for bird hunting).
Both boys and I like to hunt. We hunt for birds, big game and fish in other places than the Green Mountains where the cabins are. We do a lot of family camping. This makes it a lot of fun, especially when a big group of friends go.
I am eligible to retire from Keebler Company soon. Maybe like in the Fall of 1997. I just might decide to wait for Elsie to retire. Who knows? She has to work until January 1999. We both feel we are ready to enjoy life and the grandchildren more. Although we do see them 3-4 times a week.
Maybe this next year we can go out to California and visit the family out there, to at least know some of them. If you ever come to Denver, be sure and give us a call. We work Monday thru Friday and leave for work at about 1:45pm. I get home at approximately 10PM the majority of the time. You are welcome any time.
Well, I better close for now. Please excuse any mistakes for Elsie is ‘no typist’. Regards to EVERYONE!
Oscar and Elsie Cordova
And my 2nd Cousin, Isaac J. Romero, in Santa Fe, NM also wrote a great letter:
12-12-1996
Dear Michael,
Sorry it took so long to respond to your letter, but you know how it is during the holidays. Anyway, here Is the information you wanted:
Isaac, b. 6-14-1941, Santa Fe, NM
My wife, Gloria Bustos-Romero, b. 2-1-1941, Santa Fe, NM
Children:
Darlene Yvonne Ortega aka Darlene Romero b. January 29, 1967, Santa Fe, NM
Michelle J. Romero, b. June 7, 1970, Santa Fe, NM
Patricia D. Romero, b. January 21, 1975, Santa Fe, NM
Grandchildren:
Gabrielle N. Ortega, b. April 1, 1991, Santa Fe, NM
Janelle B. Ortega, b. November 30, 1993, Santa Fe, NM
We are sending your grandmother pictures of our girls and our grandchildren if you want to see them. It is really great that you are working on our family tree. We would love to get a copy. Let us know if we can be of further assistance. Our phone number is 505-471-4435.
Isaac J. Romero
Isaac is my 2nd cousin. His parents are Joe N Romero and Dulcinea Armijo (aka Nea). Nea is my mom’s first cousin. Nea’s mother is Justa Lebya-Armijo. Justa is my grandmother’s sister. It’s funny how Justa married an Armijo. My mom married an Armijo too. There’s a lot of jumping over the family fences going on in New Mexico.
And another follow-up letter arrived from Eva Tafoya-Montoya:
Dec. 13, 1996 Dear Cousin Michael,
I was very glad to get your last letter and by writing to you I am learning more about my own family. My brother Johnny’s family I never knew very well. I remember Teresa. Johnny was the youngest in the family. I am next to the oldest, so there is a big difference in age. In fact, my son, Dick, is only four months younger than Johnny (my brother).
I knew my grandniece, Christina, was living in California but I didn’t know her married name (Keller) or whether she had any children (Gus and Grace).
My son, Frank, called the other day and told me he had received your letter. He didn’t quite know who you were. If you keep writing to him, he can fill you in on his family. His first wife’s name was Virginia Locklear. The oldest daughters are: Cynthia Ann Montoya-Stewart b. 9-23-1957; Karen Lynn Montoya bl. 5-18-1959; Teresa Joan Montoya b. July 9, 1960. They all live in South Carolina. I don’t know Karen and Teresa’s husbands’ names or the exact date of their children's births or their ages. I’m not sure of Frank’s current wife, Doris (aka Teodora), but I think her maiden name is Arellano. Franks new children with Doris are: Aryan Elizabeth Montoya b. 2-9-1986; Arturo Rodrigo Montoya b. 12-15-1990.
I’ll write again soon. If you hear from Linda Wright (my niece in Apple Valley, CA) please let me know.
Eva
My letter from my Aunt Joise was wonderful—but maybe just a tad too religious for me. I don’t consider myself a religious person. I was raised Catholic as I was baptized and had a First Holy Communion, attending Catholic School through 5th Grade; however, as one grows older, I feel it is one’s own choice to decide what religion they feel closest to. Personally, while I grew up Catholic and learning that I actually have some Sephardic Jewish roots (my DNA is even about 1% Ashkenazi Jewish) I actually feel closest to Buddhism. It is important to have some spirituality in one’s life. I do—and I have my spiritual time when I run on the beach in the mornings or other fine solitary moments.
Dec. 13, 1996
Dear Michael,
How wonderful to hear and to know that a nephew is interested in family and past ancestors. It’s wonderful to get a note from you more than you realize. You are the blood of my brother. Even though I don’t know much about you and I have never personally expressed my live for you and your brothers I want to say that I LOVE YOU and how happy you have made me to keep in touch with family, and also making an effort to know more about each one of us.
I’ll tell you a little about my life. My new life with Bill Wright has been blessed in more ways than one. He is a wonderful man and has made my life complete. There’s tranquility, peace and a closer wall with God. We both worship in the Baptist faith which doesn’t make it better than in the Catholic faith. The name of denominations doesn’t mean anything to God. It’s your relationship with him that counts. I have grown in faith by studying the Bible, a book that I just kept on the shelf for years and barely opened it. I have found that by studying the Bible it is the most fascinating book on earth. You never learn too much but you must study in faith and believe that it is truly the word of God. Otherwise, you’re just reading another book that fascinates you. We are both active in the church and doing volunteer work for Ronald McDonald House. Perhaps you have heard about that organization that helps the poor that can’t afford a place to stay. Away from home we work there once a week to help our community. Also, we both golf (Bill more than me).
I am active in Water Aerobics and walking, so you can see how we keep ourselves pretty busy. We had our house build before we moved to Missouri, something I would not do again. I find things I would have changed in the house had I been here when they were building it. It’s a pretty comfortable hose. I hope someday you can come and visit us.
We had a difficult time getting adjusted at first with not knowing anybody. Only Bill’s parents and his three brothers live here. Bill’s father is 93-years old. His mother passed away last year. Eventually, we made friends through our church. Now we have the most wonderful friends that we spend time with and play dominoes occasionally.
Last night, we went to Branson, MO to see Dino, a piano player that almost equals to Liberace. He plays classical music. You have heard of Branson, haven’t you? Well, there are various theaters there where stars perform like The Rockettes from New York. Andy Williams, Glen Campbell, Kenny Rogers, et.
Sorry we won't get to see you for Christmas sine we changed our mind about going this year. We plan on going in June when my grandson, Jeff, graduates.
I am glad you are doing well in your career. You sound like you are pretty well established and settled in your life. It’s always good to hear about your family or part of your family, knowing they’re doing good. I am happy for you, Michael.
How is your mom? Has she retired yet? My love to her.
Oh, did you know that your grandpa, Jose Antonio Armijo, was in the service in World War I? I don’t know for how long, but I do remember seeing a picture of him in uniform. He looked a lot like your father but was much shorter, probably like your Uncle Joe Jr. He loved to eat handmade tortillas and just chew them like cracklings. He loved to wear cowboy boots! That’s all I remember. At the time he died (March 23, 1955), my mother and him had been separated for several years. Your dad had to go from Oakland to New Mexico to make arrangements for his funeral. I can’t imagine how he did it being your dad was only about 19-years old. I was thinking about that the other day and visualized what your dad had went through during that ordeal. I guess being a small town they knew what to do to help him. I think he had or was buried by military service rights. I am not sure. I know my mother couldn’t afford a dime towards a funeral at the time. I hope this little information will help you.
Keep in touch. I would like to hear more from you.
Love Your Aunt Josie
And from a cousin I don’t know named Nancy Garcia in Mora, NM:
12-13-96 Michael,
Received your letter. I hope to meet you someday. I’m divorced. I have three boys. One is married, the middle one is a sophomore in college and my youngest is a freshman in high school. I also have a daughter in law and a beautiful grandchild (a boy).
My oldest son lives in Denver. I’m a schoolteacher and also a graduate student working on a Master's Degree in Counseling. I take care of my mother. She is 83 years old. Keep in touch. My phone number is 505-387-5197. Have a Merry Christman and a Happy New Year.
Nancy Garcia and Family, HCR 64, Box 10A, Mora, NM 87732
Mom’s Christmas card was simple, but sweet since she knew I would be there in Alameda soon:
And to you Glad Christmas, too.
Love,
Mom
See you in a few days.
Mom’s cousin Joann Wright-Roybal sent a nice Christmas card but not very informative which was an indication that I’d have to find out information on her family line another way.
It was great hearing from you and do hope all your family is doing great. On your request about the Family tree, give me a little time. I’m working on it, sounds like fun. It takes time to do all of that research. Ah... Regards to ALL THE FAMILY. How’s grandma doing? Until then, from you or you from me, a blessed Holiday to you.
Love,
JoAnn, Dennis, Annette, Trish and Dominic
12/15/96 Michael,
Received your card and I’m sure glad to know you are doing well. We are all fine, too. I’m half-way retired but it seems there is always something to do. her is the information you asked me for.
Jerry Leyba
My wife is Pauline Leyba. My son, Steve Leyba, is married to Tina Leyba and they have two sons: Steve Leyba Jr. And Jared Leyba. My daughter, Stephanie Leyba, is married to Martin Acevedo and they have a son named Cordero Acevedo and they have a baby girl on the way due in February 1997.
I also love how it never fails each holiday season and I receive two of the same Christmas cards from two different people. This time it was from my Aunt Julia Vigil-Casillas and her sister, my Aunt Nellie:
Hi Sweetie!
Just a few lines to say HELLO and wish you the best of luck and good health and may God Bless you! Thanks for the copy of the Family Tree you are doing a wonderful job.
With Lots of Love,
Aunt Julia Casillas
Dear Nephew, Just a few lines to Thank you with all of my heart. I just heard from my son, Oscar, after twenty-eight years! He came to see me, and I never heard from him since. He called me and I almost had a heart attack. IF IT WASN’T FOR YOU...that might have never happened.
May God Bless you always for doing what you’re doing for this family. Thanks again.
Love,
Your Auntie Nellie
December 16, 1996
May the Christmas season bring you joyful moments, warm memories and very special happiness.
Love Pam and Art LUCERO
We’ll send you family telephone numbers after the holidays. Did you remember Louis (Luis) Lucero b. March 31, 1978?
And more Christmas cards from my cousin Patrick Markus, Uncle Ray and Liz, and one from a Roy Quintana cousin at 6722 Broadway Blvd NE in Albuquerque, NM that I have never met: Michael,
Randy and Robyn are living with my sister, Angie. I do not know Ricky’s new address. Marilyn was telling me that you two are communicating. The family tree is interesting but somewhat complicated.
Merry Christmas, Roy
My sister-in-law, Sherri Lewis-Armijo's mother is named Janet Lewis. Jan Lewis wrote me a fascinating letter about her family. I thought it odd that she signed it Jan because I’ve always known her as Janet. I liked knowing her background:
Michael, I have done our Family Tree as far as I can go. Ther Gerling side of the family I never got to know because we moved in with my mom’s parents when dad went to the war and was killed. Since the Gerling’s didn’t like mom, we never went to see them (only 7-miles from us).
Grandpa Van Winkle was born in Brighton, Iowa. He had some brothers and sisters but since Grandpa was the black sheep of the family, I never knew any of them. The only one wo’s name was mentions was Eldon (aka Eldie). So, you see, even though the family was huge I never had the privilege of knowing them because of the way things went but I had the love of grandparents and a wonderful mom.
Mike, the photos are going to be hard to come by. Our family was not one for taking pictures and now all that is left is me. But I shall look the first chance I get. If I can be of any more help just let me know. Love, Jan
And lastly this week, from Albuquerque, my cousin Edward Espinosa sent a Dinner Invitation for Saturday, December 21st (of which I won’t be attending on such short notice). It’s a dinner is celebrating the graduations of DENISE GONZALES-PADILLA for Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering at UNM, her husband, VICTOR PADILLA from the Albuquerque Fire Department Academy and DEAN GONZALES for Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering at UNM at Chianti’s Italian Restaurant:
Dear Michael,
The heavy Holiday Season is upon us, and it looks like we’re going to be very busy and that’s how we want it. There just is not a lot of time for us to actually enjoy Christmas.
Margaret’s daughter, Denise, is graduating at UNM as is her second son, Dean. Victor, Denise’s husband, also just graduated from the Fire Sciences Academy. All celebrations are taking place the weekend of the 21st of December. I’m already tired but it’ll be at this pace at our florist store clear through Mother’s Day.
Thanks for your cards and the Christmas gift. I almost feel like meeting you in person is just going to be a formality. I’d like to try to encourage you to set back your plans for New Mexico until October. It’s the most beautiful time of the year in New Mexico and also the International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is in October.
I will be in the L.A. area in July (a flower thing) and I hope to be able to get together with you then. The exact date has not been set but it will be in July. Hope you enjoyed your visits with your cousins and hope the holiday with your family is great. Edward
“Kindness is as kindness does.” --Ruth Ware in her novel, THE TURN OF THE KEY
