And From...
“He was very gentlemanly—way too classy for this part of town, if you know what I mean.” --Ian Patrick Williams, A.I.-P.I. Tis the season and I was happy to receive a good amount of Christmas Cards:
And From Cousin MaryAnn Montoya-Gehling in Colorado Springs:
Dec. 1, 1998 Michael
I was reading a magazine and saw this picture with the inscription. I got the strongest feeling that the light wanted me to cut it out and send it to you. Can you tell me why? Does it mean something to you? Please responds. I am dying to know.
I love you very much. M.A.
And From my Grand Aunt’s (Lore/Loretta Helen Garcia) daughter: Cousin Martie (though her full name is Cecelia Martha Chavez-Seper in Van Nuys, CA:
12-1-1998
Michael,
This is a reception for my son, Vic (Victor Steven Seper) and Tara on Dec. 19, 1998, Saturday, 6PM at the American Legion Building, 159 North Cullen, Glendora, CA.
P.S. Vic is my son you met the first and only time you’ve been here. See you there.
Love, Martie
Sadly, I could not attend. We can’t always dance at every wedding.
And From Alan's mom, Gloria:
Dec 2, 1998 Season’s Greetings Dearest Alan & Michael,
Wishing you the best of holidays and may all pf your endeavors in the ensuing year come to fruition. Have a wonderful New Yare that includes us. We love to share our lives with you. We count our blessing because you are always there, caring and loving.
Love Always & Forever, Mommy and Jack
And From my Aunt Lela G Armijo-Rego:
Dec. 1, 1998, Michael,
Season's Greetings, hope to see you while you're here with your family.
I’m still in Niles, CA just across the street from where you and your mom came to visit that year!
Joyous doings, healthy New Yars and out love and respect for all you’ve done with our bucks and with the family lineage deal.
Stay in touch.
Happy, Happy Holidays,
Lovingly Always,
Aunt Lela, Uncle George and all your kin here!
And From my dad’s half-sister, Josie G Wright:
Dear Michael, Thank you for the beautiful card and picture of you. I have been meaning to write to you and apologize for not doing it. I have wanted to Thank you for all of the effort you put into the Family Reunion you put together. I know it took a lot of planning and time, and I sure appreciate you for taking an interest in all you did. It was wonderful to see everyone and to see your mother, too. Venice, Italy looks beautiful. I bet you had fun. Someday I hope to see it, too. Maybe even meet with you and your mom to go for some trip together. Thanks again for your efforts and the picture you sent us. Love you, Your Aunt Josie & Bill.
Alan’s mom, Gloria and her husband, Jack Israel Cohen, took a jet to Buenos Aires for a cruise and she sent us a few postcards from there:
Postcard 1: 12/3/98, 7:03PM
Went on a city tour and received a bird's eye view of the city. Tomorrow a more in depth look at the city with a lot of walking is planned. Going to dinner and a tang show this evening. Everything is later, late, late. Weill try to send Hotmail email from the ship. Best Regards,
Love Always, Gloria & Jack
Postcard 2: 12/3/98, 7PM
This Tango photo is right up your alley, Michael. Great shot. Buenos Aires is a lovely city, reminds me of Madrid, Spain. I sent Alan an email via Hotmail. I hope he looks at it. It’s very exhausting tip, so many flying hours and very little sleep. We had lunch in an authentic Argentinian restaurant for tourists (not a cafe). Language communication went well with hand gestures. To be continued...
Gloria & Jack
Postcard 3: 12/4/98, 4:30PM
This area (SAN TELMO) is equivalent to Soho, Tribeca, NYC, etc. It’s very Bohemian. We went to Recoleta where Eva Peron’s remains are. What a cemetery! Truly magnificent! What mausoleums—never saw anything like it. It’s the biggest sight-seeing attraction. To be continued.... Gloria & Jack
And From Cousin Judy Simpson, living in the State of Georgia, sent a typewritten annual Christmas newsletter. I prefer to take note of her only handwritten words:
Photo: Herman Mumford Jr. and wife, Lorraine Middlebrook
12-4-98 Dear Michael,
I like the picture of you. It reminds me of my dad (Herman Mumford Jr.) and my Uncle Bill (William Mumford): ‘same smile’!
And From the dearest cyclist friend, I ever had, Birda, in Alameda, CA (even though I almost fell off of my chair that there was no bicycle on the card--maybe it was in Santa's bag):
12-4-98 I can’t believe it is Christmas already. The years are flying.
Hope you holiday is great.
Have a Happy New Year.
Always,
Birda
And From my dad’s half-sister, Esther Garcia:
Dec. 5, 1998, Santa Fe, New Mex Dear Nephew Michael,
I received your nice card with a beautiful picture of you. You really came out nice. It is really nice to have your picture. Also, it was very nice for you to go to Venice, Italy. Those buildings look so nice. I bet you really enjoyed yourself out there. I hope you are okay.
I am okay. I’m planning on going to California and spent Christmas and New Year’s there. I’m leaving the 18th of December. I hope to see you there. You might be there with your mother and brothers.
So, I might see you there if God permits. Also, was nice to see you in Denver for the Family Reunion. We really enjoyed seeing all of the relatives we didn’t know. Verdad?
Love you and Happy Holidays to you,
Love your aunt,
E.G. - Estolia Garcia
And From a couple of relatives I’ve never met in Mora, NM: Manuel Sabino Garcia and wife, Irene Martinez-Garcia. She included some photographs, too:
Merry Xmas and A Very Happy New Year from Manuel & Irene Garcia.
Here we are standing next to our 1962 Chevy. We bought it brand new in October 1961. It is a 1962 model. The Harley Davidson motorcycle belongs to my sister-in-law.
And From my mom, a very cute Santa:
Alan and I took a break and went to see the film SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE. It was well-done. The costumes were great, the lead actors were super (Gwyneth Paltrow & Joseph Fiennes).
The film was about the world’s greatest every playwright (William Shakespeare, played by Joseph) who is young and out of ideas and short on cash. Then he meets his ideal woman (Gwyneth) and is inspired to write one of his most famous plays: ROMEO AND JULIET. It was a brilliant film.
‘Leave something to wish for. If there is nothing left to desire, there is everything to fear. When desire dies, fear is born.’--Baltasar Gracian, THE ART OF WORLDLY WISDOM
