The Sky is the Limit

“Your father was an architect of dreams. I do not expect you to understand this now, but one day you will.” --Eric Lustbader, FLOATING CITY, a Nicholas Linnear novel 

I sent Paloma a “San Francisco” postcard. I know how a part of her really misses the San Francisco Bay Area. She really felt a connection here in California after leaving Paris. It’s too bad she did not get that Air France flight attendant job; then, when she tried to come back to California her VISA had expired and she had to fly right back. I know that’s pure agony for her to think of that incident. I think she’ll like the postcard though. She can reflect on the good times. I wrote: 

2-27-97 

Dear Paloma,  

Knowing how much you miss and love S.F. It thought this would be the perfect card for you. Also notice the number on the cable car...MY BIRTHDATE.  

I know your birthday was last month and I did think of you even if you may not believe me. 

How are Jonathan and Alexandre?  

I am on jury duty today.  

I need a vacation. 

I haven’t seen any great movies lately to tell you about. 

They’re doing a remake of a French movie here called JUNGLE TO JUNGLE. 

Alan expanded his bagel company by merging with SONOMA VALLEY BAGEL. They have stores in Albany and Berkeley, too. 

More Later...Miss You!  Love, Michael  

One of my newfound cousins, Edward M Espinosa, has reached out by sending me an early St. Patrick’s Card. It was thoughtful and unexpected. He wrote:

 

Hello Michael, 

Sorry I have not been able to get you more data on the grandfathers and Great Grandfathers. I’ll try calling Uncle Frank again this Sunday. 

The Valentine’s Day Holiday was an absolute torture at the florist shop. A one day shot—but 28 percent of the entire years’ receipts! It takes us a solid week to recoup. Now’ were’ back on track and gearing for EASTER and SECRETARY’s WEEK and two more good Floral Holidays before the BIG one: MOTHER’S DAY. 

Enclosed are two photos. The one of the uncles is a gem and I thought I was going to have to copy it for you btu I have two originals. This one is yours. Absent is your Granddad and Uncle Reynaldo. Uncle Manuel was already deceased.  

Photo: My GrandUncle, Frank Milton Lucero

My photo includes me, my latest photo except for the Christmas photos which was not a very good one. This picture was taken last Fall. 

Still on jury duty? 

I’m very much looking forward to seeing you in July—if not sooner and a very deserved vacation in Southern Cal (which I am very fond of). I’ll probably rent a car, so we can drive it to the hilt! 

Edward  

My sis-in-law, Helen, was in Hawaii with my brother, Tony, and she sent me a sweet postcard that I received this week. 

Aloha from MAUI... 

Mom probably told you we were in Maui, compliments of Pacific Bell. 

Enjoying our stay here, sunning, eating and sleeping. Too bad we leave tomorrow. 

Hope the two of you are well. 

Love, 

H & T 

My cousin, Edna Garcia-Maestas, also wrote to me from Santa Fe, NM. I love how I am growing new relationships with family members I did not know. Of course, as I read the end of her letter, I realized how fortunate I’ve been to not have so much loss.  

March 1, 1997 

Dear Michael, 

Once again, thank you! The information is indeed interesting. I feel the most interesting fact about my grandfather, Augustin’s family is that except for two of my first cousins all his children and their children live within a 120-mile radius. In addition to that my husband and I purchased the property where he and my grandmother raised their children. Let me explain how we are second cousins. Our grandparents were brother (Augustin) and sister (Mathilde). Their children (our parents) are first cousins, making us second cousins.  

My husband has a Master of Science in PSYCHOLOGY, and I have an Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies. Teresa, my daughter, is a student at the local Community College and she also works at DILLARD’s Department Store. My husband works in Las Vegas, NM at the LV Medical Center as the Director for outpatient services. I am the manager of a vending company. This year we plan on selling our house here in Santa Fe and having one built in Ledoux. At that point the sky is the limit for me. Frist, I might decide to stay home and take care of my grandson before he starts school. 

I am sending you pictures as you requested, and I ask if possible that you send me a photocopy of my Great Grandparents. The one I am sending you of my grandparents cost about $2.00. Please don’t go into more expense than that. A paper copy is fine. 

Photo: Edna Garcia-Maestas with daughter, Consuelo

Yes, Michael, the death of my daughter, Consuelo, is overwhelming. My consolation is that my love for her lives and that I still have the rest of my family to love and who love me. I believe God provides us with strength, otherwise we would choose to die also. My brother, Roger, drowned in a small lake in Albuquerque when I was fifteen years old and my brother, William, died of an accidental overdose in Santa Fe. Consuelos was hit and killed by a car in Albuquerque. Sammy Quintana also drowning in a swimming pool about twenty some years ago in Santa Fe and Gary Garcia died of injuries he sustained in a car accident in Mora, NM. My Uncle Trevino burned in a trailer house fire in Ledoux, NM. 

My telephone number is 505-471-9226. I’m looking forward to meeting you this year and I’m looking forward to hearing from you soon, I hope. 

Your Cousin, 

Edna  

And my Uncle Richard (mom’s brother) has a daughter, Jennifer Lucero-Solis, in Heber Springs, Arkansas. I know and have met Jennifer, so it was a treat to read a note from her. I have not seen her since she was in elementary school though.

Photo: Jennifer Lucero-Solis

She’s now married to a guy named DANIEL SOLIS and they have a son named RICHARD INDIANA SOLIS. I like that middle name, INDIANA. She wrote: 

Hi Michael, 

Bet you never thought that I’d be a mommy. I ‘for sure’ did not ever thing that I would. Now we are out here in TORNADO COUNTRY. Great! 

Grandpa Richard sure does love this little boy. He lets him wear his hat! 

Be sure to show Johnny and Sherri. 

Sorry, this is so short, but I want to make sure that everyone gets a note and a picture.  Please feel free to call here in Arkansas. 

Love, Jennifer and Ritchie and the two Daniels... 

‘What with one thing and another, three years passed.’--William Goldman, THE PRINCESS BRIDE