CHEEK TO CHEEK

‘At the most tragic moment in life, when the mind is no more than a seething confusion, when the whole body is shaken by the tremor of anguish, a certain logic continues to connect our ideas...’--Maurice LeBlanc, THE SECRET OF SAREK 

I had forgotten at the Denver Family Reunion this past summer that I had given everyone a ‘Getting to Know Us’ survey for all to complete.  Sadly, only sixteen surveys were filled out (and some of them not completely); however, it’s fun to read them now.  Here are the responses (including mine): 

Edna Maestas from Santa Fe, NM, Descended from Augustin GARCIA: 

I’ve been told that my grandfather Augustin was the first person to own a vehicle in the village of Ledoux, New Mexico.  My grandmother, Juanita, used to show off her coffin.  

I am most proud of my immediate and extended family.  My grandfather’s children, grandchildren and great grandchildren all reside within a 250-mile radius (with the exception of one family). 

My earliest childhood memory was when my parents, brothers and I were on a long journey.  I later on in life realized we were traveling to El Canon, the area where my Grandfather Augustin and Grandmother Margarita lived and the property that I now own. 

The death of my daughter and brothers has encouraged me to appreciate life.   

Isabel (aka Izzy) Montoya from Farmington, NM, Descended from Jesusita GARCIA: 

I remember my grandmother, Jesusita, rode horses side saddle. 

I’m proud of music, getting my Master's Degree. 

My first memory was being scared of my Grandpa Montoya. 

Our immediate family are all very clumsy. 

Patrick Montoya from Tuscon, Arizona, Descended from Jesusita GARCIA: 

I am most proud of my music as a vocation. 

My earliest childhood memory was kicking my older brother, Frank (18 years older) in the shins for fun.  I didn’t know it hurt until I saw him moaning on the bed. 

As far as my immediate family...we all have bad backs and loose bowels (addendum to my sister, Izzy’s comment).  

Noel Rosser (married to Susie Garcia Rosser) from Moore, Oklahoma, Susie is descended from Mela GARCIA: 

I married Susan Garcia.  I am proud of helping my mom wash clothes in an old black kettle. 

Susie Garcia Rosser from Moore, OK, Descended from Mela GARCIA. 

My mother, Mela, was a workaholic.  She made the best homemade beef jerky.  I am most proud that my mother was Mela Garcia.  My earliest memory was probably when my parents separated.  

Craig Rosser from Oklahoma City, OK, Descended from Mela GARCIA. 

I remember Mela’s homemade tortillas, green chili and deer jerky.  I also remember her smile and her laugh.  

I am proud of my Marine Corps experience and my 4-time rifle expert and company as high shooter during boot camp.  

My earliest childhood memory was being bathed in a large tin tub. 

A story about my immediate family was when I was going to a California Angels baseball game as a kid.  I had to go pee, so Dad took me and when we returned, we found out a baseball landed right in my seat!  It’s probably a good thing I had to go pee! 

Brenda Rosser from Moore, OK, Descended from Mela GARCIA: 

I remember how Grandma Mela used to make homemade tortillas and the best jerky ever! I am most proud of my son, Samuel Alexander Rosser. 

Johnny Cisneros from Cheyenne, Wyoming, Descended from Mela GARCIA: 

I’m most proud of my hobbies of hunting and fishing.  I am very happy that somebody in our family could put something together for our big family.  THANKS A LOT, Michael! 

Chris Hayes-Zullo of Denver, CO; Descended from Julia GARCIA: 

I spend many summers with my Grandmother, Eulalia and George. In their garden in Hayward, California.  Lisa Casados and Cassandra Hayes-Neptune remember the house on York Street.  I remember Grand Aunt Lore (Loretta Garcia Chavez). 

I’m proud that I’ve been married to Raymond J Zullo for 21-years and that we’ve raised two beautiful daughters (Raemon Chirstine Zullo and Megan Larissa Zullo).  I remember at around three years old living on High Street before Nathan’s birth.  

My mother, Virginia Marie Armijo from Alameda, CA, Descended from Matilde GARCIA: 

Matilde was my mother-in-law.  I married her son, Joe Nelson Armijo.  She was a very nice lady.  I am most proud of my family, my three sons, Tony, Michael and John.  I’m most proud of my grandchildren: Ashley, Holly, Ally, Dylan, Lauren and Leigh. 

My earliest childhood memory was when my Uncle Frank and my Aunt Mollie took me to Las Vegas, New Mexico for the weekend.  They took me shopping and bought me a coat, a dress, a pair of shoes and a doll. 

My most sad experience is when my husband, Joe, died.  I’ll never forget that incident. 

Ashley Armijo from Alameda, CA, Descended from Matilde GARCIA: 

Matilde is my Grandpa Joe’s mom. 

Holly Armijo from Alameda, CA, Descended from Matilde GARCIA” 

Matilde is Grandpa Joe’s mother.  I know that she’s my great grandma.  I know she got married twice.  I also know that I’m on the Armijo side. 

I’m most proud of my swimming because I get lots of ribbons.  I’m also proud of my family because they will be there for me like I’ll be there for them.   

My earliest childhood memory was of my dad and mom taking me to fun places.  My dad always plays with us outside in front of the house.  My mom always cooks my food.  I always play with my brother and sisters.  I also remember when I was in first grade and my study buddy really liked tennis.  I also remember that her tennis teacher really loved her green carpet. 

Something happy was on Christmas when we opened presents on Christmas Day and Eve. Also, going around the block and getting candy for Halloween made me happy.  Seomethign sad was when my mom and dad got in a fight, so my dad moved out for a while but it’s good he came back.  

Daniel T Vigil from Santa Fe, NM, Descended from Matilde GARCIA: 

My grandma Matilde was a good mother, very accomplished and hard working on her farm.  She could do many things.  She was a very good cook.  She baked good break in an Indian “oorno” like the Native American Indians did.  She was good at sewing and even cutting men’s hair.  She would cut all of the grandchildren’s hair.  She would make some good tamales.  She made wedding dresses, blue shirts and plain skirts, etc. 

Josie Vigil-Gonazles-Wright from Sacramento, CA, Descended from Matilde GARCIA: 

My mother, Matilde, was good mother and always loved to have her family around.  She made everyone feel ‘at home’.  She taught us about the values of life; to know God for without him life has no meaning and purpose.  She taught us to always be forgiving and love one another.

My hobbies are walking, golfing, helping my community through volunteer work.  

When I was about six years old my sister, Jennie, and I would go visit my aunt and she was always very good to us.  I also remember sleeping with my Grandma Juanita Garcia and how she used to make oatmeal in the mornings.  It was the worst cereal, gummy and awful. 

One sad story was that my dad (Eligio Vigil) was killed as a very young man.  I was only two years old and don’t remember my dad at all. 

Julia Vigil-Casillas from Oakland, CA, Descended from Matilde GARCIA: 

My mom, Matilde, used to make break from a brick oven outside.  I would grab a whole loaf and put butter or lard on it and rand like hell to eat the whole loaf.  I was very hungry. 

I am proud of my donations.  I don’t have any childhood memories.  I’m too old, a long story. 

Michael J Armijo (me), Descended from Matilde GARCIA 

I remember when I was four years old, walking to the house of my Granda Matilde.  I lived only a block away from her in Oakland, CA.  She gave me a crewcut and she would call me “juedito” (means little blondie) because of my blondish hair back then.  I also remember she had a cherry tree in her backyard.  She had many lace fabric doilies on her end tables and coffee tables.  I remember she loved me and I felt very close to her as I recall hugging her leg as a small child. 

I am proud of my creative output and my ongoing travels.  I like to paint and be artistic, using oil or acrylic paints.  I also like to do ink drawings, pastels and sketching.  I feel good when I finish something I create.  I also feel proud of the many places I have visited: Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Barcelona, Ceret, Paris, Hawaii, St. Kitts, NYC, Washington DC, Milan, Venice, Firenze, Switzerland and Amsterdam. 

I remember one time I went to the grocery store called FOOD FARM in Oakland, CA that was a few blocks from our home with my mom and dad.  I think they wouldn’t buy me a certain item and I got mad at them.  So, I ran and hid outside in the parking lot between cars.  I watched them come out of the store.  They looked for me but I stayed hidden.  When they drove away, I was able to find my way back home by walking.  I was only about seven years old.  I know they were worried.  It’s a different scenario if I had done that today. 

A happy time was on 8-8-1987.  It was my dad’s 52nd Birthday and I bought him a round ten-inch cake and put a big 5 and 2 candle on it.  He was so HAPPY.  I remember the smile on his face.  His smile went from ‘CHEEK TO CHEEK” when he saw me walking towards him with the cake with the candles lit.  

A sad time was the same month on 8-29-1987.  I went over to my parents' home and my dad was in his t-shirt and boxer shorts on the sofa.  He looked pale.  He said, “I have this pain on my side.”  He massaged it but his face still demonstrated pain.  I could not persuade him to go to the doctor—but my brother, Tony, came in and called 911-Emergency.  The ambulance arrived and it was a relief.  He would be ALL better.  He was, after all, going to the Alameda Hospital in safe hands with the paramedics.  My brothers and my mother were waiting impatiently in the hospital waiting room.  A young intern finally took us in a small room and told us, “I done know how to say this but we did everything we could do.”  My mom shouted with a yelping scream.  I shuttered and something froze within me.  I could not and did not want to believe it.  I knew it was a possibility, but I thought it would be okay because we got him out of the house and to the hospital.  The intern allowed us to see him.  I still recall the four of us (mom, me and my two brothers, Tony and John) standing over him. There was a white warm blanket over his body but his face was showing as if asleep.  I grabbed his lower right leg—tightly—and I had a feeling he knew I was touching him.  I felt his soul above us—and him saying, “I Love You All”, “Be Good”, “Take care of Mom”.  I know I’ll see him again.  

I received more Christmas Cards this week from my cousin, Edna Maestas, my grandmother, my cousin Luisa, my Granduncle Frank Lucero and his wife, Mollie, my cousin Shawn West and family, my Aunt Lillian, my 2nd cousin Peggy Mayall-Ragsdale and my Aunt Julia.  Here’s what they wrote inside their cards:   

Dearest Michael, 

Thank you for the handsome Christmas Card.  We hope and pray that your “holi” days are peaceful and joyful.  I’m about finished with my shopping, baking and card sending.  So far, I’ve made a double recipe of fruit cakes, and X0mas assortments of sugar cookies with icing. On Sunday my mom and I will make tamales and hopefully next week I’ll bake biscochitos. The three of us will spend three days in Ruidoso, NM, next week.  I still need a tree—maybe from our mountain! 

God Bless You,

Edna, Michael and Rickie  

Dear Grandson, 

I got your package.  It’s under the Christmas Tree.  I love you.   I’ll be seeing you for Christmas if God permits.  

Grandma and Betty  

Michael, 

Have a joyous Christmas!  I really liked your Xmas Card.  Glad you had the opportunity to visit Italy.  I imagine you had a wonderful time.  You'll have to share your slides or prints.  We are all doing find and hope you are too.  Keep in touch. 

Your Prima,

Luisa & Felix, Joseph & Krissa 

Thanks for the nice card.  Merry Christmas to you and all the family.  

Mollie & Frank Lucero 

Happy Holidays!  

Shawn, Reina and Dana West. 

Dear Mike, 

Every year I get a picture of you and you’re not getting any older. You’re getting younger. What’s wrong with this picture?  Did you find the Fountain of Youth in your many travels? 

Love you, 

Here’s a picture of my granddaughter, Dana, 9-mothns and Tori, 6-years. 

Howard & Lillian, Your Aunt 

Michael, 

Hope this card finds you doing well.  Everyone here is doing well.  Sorry I have not written sooner.  Thank you so much for the wonderful pictures. They were great.  Hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.   

Love, 

Leon, Peggy and Blade Ragsdale. 

Hello Sweetie Michael.  

I am wishing you the merriest Christmas and a Happy New Year.  I Thank you very much for the beautiful chihuahua dog and bank.  I put piece of white tape by this back and wrote ‘drop a coin and make a wish.  It is almost half-0full. When it’s full I might share it with you, ok? 

Take care and thanks for your thoughtfulness. 

I love you, Aunt Julia...Accept these markers as a souvenir. 

Gloria and Jack went on another cruise and she sent four postcards from Buenos Aires, Falkland Islands, Ushuaia and Chile: 

She wrote:   

12-9-98:  The 2nd biggest attraction is the Theater de Colon where we took a tour.  They have ballet, opera and philharmonic events.  Harrod’s Dept. Store in London opened here five years ago and closed last year.  It gives a clue to the mentality of Buenos Aires people.  The tango is their proudest achievement.   Love Always, Mommy and Jack 

12-10-98: This ship is lovely, much higher category than LAFTA (LA Film Teachers Assn).  We had a drink with Debby and Alan last night.  They are friendly and NOT boring.  So far, our ports have been Montevideo, Uruguay; Puerto Madryn, Argentina; Port Stanley, Falkland Islands.  Great time.  Love Always, Mommy and Jack 

12-12-98:  Took a tour to National Park for a nature trail, bards, animals, plants and passed Cape Horn last night—very thrilling.  

Love Always,  Nana & Jack 

12-13-98:  Dear Sweethearts, Had a delightful day in Puerto Arnas, Chile.  We went to see the penguins, a one-hour ride and a one hour walk (3 miles) to see them.  Having a great time drinking martini, madras and cosmopolitans...puff-puff. 

Love Always, Mommy & Jack...weather cold “Br Br Br”.  

‘The death of a parent is such a big and inexpressible event that all you can do against it is shut yourself down.’--Meg Wolitzer, THE INTERESTINGS