Monthly Archives: May 2020

Memorial Day

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United States of America Flag

During this coronavirus pandemic, I consider myself very fortunate to see another Memorial Day. It was during a Memorial Day weekend that my husband, who served in the U. S. Army during the Vietnam war, and I got married.

The youngest of four children, I was too young to know about drafts and the Vietnam war, and why my older brother left home, wearing fatigues and hauling a large bag that was probably loaded with military gear. He returned to be with our family for a while, and then left again. The Army did not accept my younger because he had an imperfection on one of his feet. College students fled to Canada to avoid the draft. Others took whatever time they had left to enjoy themselves in any possible way because they were destined to go to Vietnam.

My older brother passed away on October 6, 2016. I miss him a lot. He was courageous and served his tour of duty and also continued to serve in the Army reserves. I never asked him why he continued to serve or why he did it. I’m sure he had a reason.

I’m not sure when David, one of my husband’s brothers passed away, but it was probably in 2003. Anyway, the year doesn’t matter. What’s important is that my brother-in-law served his country as a Marine. Whenever I talk to David’s widow, I always tell her that I loved her husband. He was a true friend. This year a dear friend lost his brother, Reynaldo Espinosa, who served many years in the Air Force. To these aforementioned friends and relatives, I offer my sincere thanks. They didn’t die serving their country, but I’m more than sure that they would have willingly fought to protect it.

Since I got married on a Memorial Day weekend, I have good memories of friends and relatives getting together, and if it weren’t for my brother, Victor, I wouldn’t have had a single picture of my wedding day. I thanked him for his generosity, but I never asked Victor if he went to Vietnam. He probably did but never discussed it. As I mentioned, earlier, I was too young to ask such a serious question.

This year, Memorial Day is significantly important. It is a day meant to honor all the men and women who gave up their lives for our country through several wars. Currently, we are fighting a war against an invisible enemy, and a lot of people have died. We must remember them, and we must also thank fontline responders: nurses, doctors, EMTs, celebrities, and even children. They have donated their time and money to help folks who need food, clothes, lodging, and jobs. Thank our frontline heroes with all your heart. And ask God to protect them. On Memorial Day, please ask God to help scientists develop a vaccine for this contagious enemy known as COVID-19.

How Are You?

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Let a smile be your umbrella
A Goodwill Wish from two lovable Mice

Three days ago I learned that one of my entomology colleagues passed away. His passing saddened me but life happens. We get involved with looking for jobs and creating a family. Now we face a COVID-19 pandemic and very trying times.

I’ve had this mouse placard for a long time. I realize that it’s difficult to smile when things aren’t going your way. It’s hard to smile when you’re wearing a face mask,too, but if you can, try smiling at your family: children, spouse, and pets. Smile even if something upset you on any given day. And by all means, smile at our First Responders and generous volunteers. Thank them for their excellent service during this pandemic.

Today, I’ve been trying to find a doctor, who takes Medicaid, for my sister. I failed miserably. Fortunately, the folks that I talked to were in fabulous moods.Nevertheless, by late afternoon, I was exhausted. When a kind receptionist told me that my requests were not available, I laughed uncontrollably. You see, I get real simple when I’m tired, but my unrestrained laughter helped the receptionist. She’d also had a rough day and told me that my cheerful attitude had made her day.Her comment made me feel so good!

I hope the kind words displayed in my placard will comfort folks, and will also reach friends and relatives so I will know that they all right.

List of friends and relatives:

(Please go to my contact page: https://memurray.com/contact-me/ and leave me a message when you see your name.Thank you!)

Enedina Gonzalez (Brownsville, Tx; Texas Southmost College)

Juanita Alonzo (USDA, Brownsville, TX)

Peggy Nettleton (Ankenny, Iowa; ISU)

Betty Jo Robertson (TAMU, College Station, TX)

Lucila Solis ( Brownsville, Tx; Texas Southmost College)

Rosie Alaniz (Brownsville, Tx; Texas Southmost College)

Priscilla and Andy Rodriguez (Kingsville, Tx)

Maira Ortiz (UWM, Puerto Rico)

Elena Alaniz (Brownsville, Tx)

Aurorita Cuellar (Villa Maria High School, Brownsville, TX)

Ninfa Ruiz (Villa Maria High School, Brownsville, TX)

Aggie Perez Pena (UWM, Milwaukee)

Fred Armstrong ( CORP of Cadets, TAMU, College Station, TX)

John Henry Happ (CORP of Cadets, TAMU, College Station, TX)

Arabela Gonzalez (A&I, Kingsville, Tx)

Carmen Ramirez (Villa Maria High School; TAMU, College Station, TX)

Meagon Massey (Fort Worth, TX; Texoma, Tx)

Luis Longoria (Santa Maria,Tx)

Steve Grubbs (Forney, Tx)

Ruben Aguilar (Saucillo, Chihuahua)

Polo Aguilar (Saucillo, Chihuahua)

Jose Luis Aguilar (Saucillo, Chihuahua)

Armando Aguilar (Saucillo, Chihuahua)

Manuela Isela Cruz (Saucillo, Chihuahua)

Moncita Aguilar (Saucillo, Chihuahua)

Sonny Solis (Brownsville, Tx)

Janet Ritcher (George & Charlotte Chapman’s niece, Milwaukee, WI)

Karen Manzoni (Southlake, TX; Boston, MA)

Gary Phipps (TAMU, College Station, TX)

Joan (Ostrow) & Gary Schwebel (TAMU,College Station, TX)

Jim & Dow Cox (TAMU, College Station, TX)

Dear Mom, Enjoy Your Day!

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Lucrecia Solis

It is not very often that I get to celebrate Mother’s Day on the same day! In Mexico, the official day to honor one’s mother is May 10.

I have fond memories of my mother. She was a beautiful woman, both outside and inside, who kept on going in spite of being an epileptic.  She taught me how to sew, embroider, cook, and knit at a very young age (I must have been 7-8 years old when I made a dress for a doll.I made a pattern and used it to make the dress. I suppose this is where I get the ability to sketch items.).

My older sister and I went to church with Mom every day to the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Brownsville, Texas. We walked down the atrium to the courtyard, passed the narthex and followed the nave all the way to the Altar; there was an ornate balustrade that kept people from going into the area where the priest said mass. Mom would go into a pew and kneel down to pray. Afterwards, she would quietly go to Our Lady of Mount Caramel’s statue and light a candle. When we finished praying, we would either buy some pastries at the bakery or go to a theater that showed Mexican movies. (We were able to see movies on weekends because my dad, who was self-employed, often repaired items for the theater’s ticket handler and never charged him. That was a great treat because we didn’t have to spend money to see a movie.

My mother loved flowers. I recall the occasion when she fell on the front porch of our old house. At the time, I lived in Fort Worth,too far away to help immediately. Fortunately, my sister took her to the hospital where Mom stayed overnight for observation.Since I couldn’t visit her, I immediately sent her a bouquet of flowers and called her. She kept telling me over the phone, “My goodness! That bouquet of flowers is huge! And it is so beautiful!” When she was released, my mother told my sister, “Don’t forget the flowers!”

So, it is no big surprise that on Mother’s Day, and every day, I pray to Mom. I ask her for help and strength because she was a strong woman. To live in poverty and have an incurable illness required a lot of stamina.

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom! Enjoy the day with your mom, Dad, and Victor, your oldest child.