When her health starting failing, she refused to give up. Many weekends were devoted to cooking tamales to sell so that the church and the Guadalupanas would have funds. I think she also contributed quite a bit to the school at St. Ann’s Catholic church in Colorado City, where Dennis and Rita attended. I think her most ardent wishes were that Dennis would become a priest and Rita a nun. Well, at least God granted her half her wish!

Tragedy was never far from our mother, she lost her brother Leon, her sister Leandra in the prime of their life. She also lost a stillborn son sometime in the late thirties, I think between Lupe and Josefina. Then in 1965 she lost Lupe to an automobile accident. In 1977, of course we lost our father, and even though diabetes had caused her much suffering, her eyesight was still good enough to see him laid to rest. Her devotion to Virgin Mary was intense and unconditional. After she lost her eyesight, she would spend the long night hours praying the rosary, asking for the strength to carry on. I made it a point to visit as often as I could, and it grieved me no end to have to leave her all alone. I took some comfort in knowing that God and the Virgin would take care of her.

One more poignant remembrance of her comes to mind very often. When I would visit her, I would make it a point to take her to church. She would memorize the responsorial psalm during mass and she knew all the prayers during mass by heart. When the mass ended, if there was no recessional hymn, she would commence singing, and the rest of the congregation would join in. I would venture to guess that she is leading the angels right now, and Virgin Mary is by her side. Maybe together, joined by other mothers like her, they can bring world peace, because I believe that the strongest force in the world is a mother’s love.

For Unto Us a Child is Born.

Paula Garcia, daughter of Judy Garcia, gave birth to Natasha Noelle Garcia 11/18/97 at 10:47 a.m. Judy's granddaughter, Irene Garcia is due to deliver great grandchild #4 on April 4, 1998. Rumor has it that Connie Orona herself is looking forward to retiring in December. You've earned a rest, Connie!

EUREKA! We found her! Isabel Sandoval is Mama Concha's baby sister. Although she is a young 77 years of age, she suffers from severe arthritis and had to move into a nursing home. The family lost contact with her and so she hasn't had many visitors recently. Let's let her know we care about her by sending her a nice note or letter. (Please write BIG so she can read it easily.) If you would like the address to mail her pictures or letters, email me.

I didn't know we had so many family members! I recently spoke to Cipriana Quintinilia, the daughter of Juana Diaz, deceased sister of Concha Campos. Cipriana lives with her son Robert and his daughter Angie in Basthrop, Texas. They have kindly offered to help with the Sandoval line of genealogy research and I appreciate their enthusiasm for the project.!

Irma Boyle, daughter of Pola and Lute Campos has earned her Registered Nursing degree and is working in an oncology clinic. Thanks for doing such important work.

Dennis Campos is still working too much and still mad he missed the reunion. I suggest we all surprise him and show up for Sunday dinner at his house, unannounced, of course. (He lives in wine country, this could be fun!)

Esther Goss has been very busy but is still working on our reunion pictures. More details to come.

Thanks to Cruz Lozano and her family for sharing priceless wedding photos of Mama and Papa and lots of other family documents that have helped trace the Campos family tree.