A Treasure to Me

Sometimes...it's all just Too Much A Smart Scheme

A Treasure to Me

“One occasionally has to do things one does not like.” --H.H. Munro, from his short story, THE LULL

It happens every so often when a Christmas Card slips through the cracks and arrives quite late. This time it was Cousin Connie Armijo from Los Lunas, NM. She is related to me on my mom’s side. Her maiden name is Connie Tapia, but she married an Armijo (Filimon Armijo). Filimon Armijo is likely related to my dad in some way, but I was never quite sure of the actual link; whereby, Connie’s kids are related to me via both sides of my parents. In New Mexico everyone cross marries one another. Connie included a note to me in her PEACE Christmas card:

Michael,

May 1998 bring you and your family health, happiness and good fortune. I was in the hospital. I got sick, and they had to operate on me but I’m doing fine now. Suddenly, I got very sick. Say Michael, let me know about the picture you sent me. Let me know which one is your mom. I haven’t seen her for so long that I can’t figure it out. I guess the other ones must be your brothers. What a beautiful family! Have a great holiday and God Bless You. Say HI to you r mom from me.

Always,

Connie

I was surprised to learn that Paloma from France traveled to Florida with her husband and son. She sent a sweet card from West Palm Beach:

February 4, 1998

Dear Michael,

We made it to Florida where the weather is awful right now, just as in California as they say on TV. We were supposed to go to Key West tomorrow. I’m not sure we will be able to. At least it's not freezing like it was in Paris! You did not tell me if you liked Florida.

Love,

Paloma, Alex, Jonathan

Reminder to notify Paloma: I DO NOT LIKE FLORIDA. It’s too humid and I don’t like big flying bugs.

And cousin Sandra Donald (the one in prison sent a Christmas card dated February 12, 1998. Ha-ha. I had to laugh because this is my 2nd Christmas card to receive in February. Sandra wrote in response to my Christmas Card letter in December 1997. As I read it, I imagined a group of female inmates surrounding her from the way she described it:

My Dearest handsome cousin,

It was good to hear from you. Your picture caught the other prisoner girl's attention as I was opening the envelope and they, too, agreed that I have a very good-looking cousin!

I wish you the very best God has in store for the New Year. Self-employment takes full commitment, long hours and hard work.

I received a long letter from Aunt Josie and Bill. I was overjoyed to know she and her husband are faithful servants of the Lord. She, too, is very pretty!

Michael, my son, Harmon, informed me his wife, Lori, is pregnant again. I am not very happy about it but what can I do? Nothing. I pray he stops at three. Three children are enough. I sound just like a mother-in-law, right?

Everything is in Gods control, Michael. I’ll just have to hang in there and look at each day as a brand-new beginning. Keep in touch. Remember someone’s praying for you.

My love and thoughts,

Sandra Donald

And an early Valentine arrived from Aunt Lela: