This is the tale of a love story from years gone by. This would have been our Grandparents 96th Wedding Anniversary. This watercolor painting was done by Nino Perez. Mr.Perez was also an engineer at The Kennedy Space Center along with our Uncle. This was given to Grandma in Oct of 1989....our Grandma passed in Feb of 1990. The drawing shows a young man courting a Senorita, our Grandma.
Flying With Angels
Do not mourn I'm no longer here
At the end there was no fear
My life of pain at the end
All my love I'll always send
On your shoulders you carried me
In my heart you'll always be
Please remember I can see you
Please don't cry or be blue
Your love meant so much to me
But God has now set me free
Do not mourn I'm no longer here
At the end there was no fear
Kathleen Vela Taggart
America Mourns Every Race In City’s Attack ©
Americans hail commander- in-chief
as he leads the world in his belief.
Maintain our courage and resolve
terrorist actions we must dissolve.
Echos of heroism grace US soil
as many grieve but yet toil.
Races unite to wage a war
heightened resolve in nations soar.
In God we trust America’s tone
and thank God we’re not alone.
Covert actions now in place
the world no longer open space.
Attacks of terror faced by all
united we stand or all will fall.
Kathleen Vela Taggart
Published by Noble House in New York and London “Adventures into the Mind”
(50 chosen poets to be published “Adventures into the Mind”.)
January 16, 1991, Operation Desert Storm to February 28, 1991
Poems sent to President Bush in 1991 and was mailed a signed picture in thanks.
(I was asked to read this poem "Who's Sane" at a rally in Columbia, SC)
WHO’S SANE ©
March 19th we are at war.
Worldwide protest rallies soar.
UN failed resolutions cease.
Days pass still hopes of peace.
POWs and MIAs fill our day.
Night falls and nations pray.
The war will end when Iraq is free.
Maybe then will nations see.
Our objective is very plain.
We’ll let the world decide Hussein.
Kathleen Vela Taggart
PROTESTORS ©
You have the right to protest I can’t deny.
“Stop the War” your battle cry.
Protest rallies his victory he gives you praise.
Our soldiers dying our flag ablaze.
American protest his nourishment our flaws.
By your protest you feed his cause.
You feed his appetite his carnivorous lust.
You have the right to protest if you must.
Kathleen Vela Taggart
THE HOLY WAR ©
Hussein tried his holy war.
Iraqi citizens want no more.
Human suicides his command.
Give up your life his demand.
Fight the infidel his rendition.
His only concern his ambition.
Black oil clouds fill the sky.
He cares not if Iraqis die.
What is holy in human seduction?
What is holy in death, destruction?
Mortal is he mortal he’ll stay.
All that’s left is hell to pay.
Kathleen Vela Taggart
SHOCK AND AWE ©
Bombs hit Iraq like bolts of lightning
our tornadic sweep to the Iraqis frightening.
We storm Iraq by land, air and sea
white flags waved on bended knee.
Iraqi freedom no longer in doubt
Coalition troops have well earned clout.
Franks hailed for his strategic wit
each bomb dropped a well planned hit.
We have no doubt we’ll win this war
Saddam Hussein will be no more.
Kathleen Vela Taggart
TELEVISION WAR ©
Television war our home it hits.
Operation Iraqi Freedom their media blitz.
Reporters breed news of the daily battle.
We hurry to feed like herds of cattle.
We hunger for news from the Middle East.
On our emotions the media feast.
News of the war their daily bread.
They serve us the wounded serve us our dead.
They play on our emotions they know it’ll sell.
They play on our emotions they know damn well.
More viewers high ratings that’s their aim.
Television war a ratings game.
Kathleen Vela Taggart
LIGHTS, CAMERA: ACTION ©
He stages his holy war with director fashion.
Human suffering his main faction.
From his bunker he plans his shots.
The scenes he allocates to different lots.
Thousands of Iraqis his all star cast.
Casting for many regrettably their last.
Graphic propaganda heat worldwide reaction.
Civilian casualties his main attraction.
So give him an Emmy and call it quits.
His artistic endeavor an Emmy befits.
Kathleen Vela Taggart
THE BUTCHER OF BAGHDAD ©
His terrorist tactics have given him fame.
The Butcher of Baghdad his new name.
Torture, mutilation his infamous foray.
Citizens of Iraq his innocent prey.
Iraqi citizens used as shields.
His only defense as the ground war builds.
He’s ordered his guard leave no trace.
A war crime trial he will not face.
Iraqi citizens found in a pile.
No conscience no remorse he wears a smile.
Kathleen Vela Taggart
BAGHDAD BUNKER ©
You built him a bunker beneath the sand
to hide from destruction from the troups at hand.
Your talent for hire you sold your soul
your share of millions your only goal.
You blinded yourself to his satanic behavior
you saw him only a business savior.
No thought given to death only your greed
in the Holy Land the land will bleed.
Now it’s too late his bunkers are built
it’s hard to image you feel no guilt.
Kathleen Vela Taggart
March 19th we are at war.
Worldwide protest rallies soar.
UN failed resolutions cease.
Days pass still hopes of peace.
POWs and MIAs fill our day.
Night falls and nations pray.
The war will end when Iraq is free.
Maybe then will nations see.
Our objective is very plain.
We’ll let the world decide Hussein.
Kathleen Vela Taggart
PROTESTORS ©
You have the right to protest I can’t deny.
“Stop the War” your battle cry.
Protest rallies his victory he gives you praise.
Our soldiers dying our flag ablaze.
American protest his nourishment our flaws.
By your protest you feed his cause.
You feed his appetite his carnivorous lust.
You have the right to protest if you must.
Kathleen Vela Taggart
THE HOLY WAR ©
Hussein tried his holy war.
Iraqi citizens want no more.
Human suicides his command.
Give up your life his demand.
Fight the infidel his rendition.
His only concern his ambition.
Black oil clouds fill the sky.
He cares not if Iraqis die.
What is holy in human seduction?
What is holy in death, destruction?
Mortal is he mortal he’ll stay.
All that’s left is hell to pay.
Kathleen Vela Taggart
SHOCK AND AWE ©
Bombs hit Iraq like bolts of lightning
our tornadic sweep to the Iraqis frightening.
We storm Iraq by land, air and sea
white flags waved on bended knee.
Iraqi freedom no longer in doubt
Coalition troops have well earned clout.
Franks hailed for his strategic wit
each bomb dropped a well planned hit.
We have no doubt we’ll win this war
Saddam Hussein will be no more.
Kathleen Vela Taggart
TELEVISION WAR ©
Television war our home it hits.
Operation Iraqi Freedom their media blitz.
Reporters breed news of the daily battle.
We hurry to feed like herds of cattle.
We hunger for news from the Middle East.
On our emotions the media feast.
News of the war their daily bread.
They serve us the wounded serve us our dead.
They play on our emotions they know it’ll sell.
They play on our emotions they know damn well.
More viewers high ratings that’s their aim.
Television war a ratings game.
Kathleen Vela Taggart
LIGHTS, CAMERA: ACTION ©
He stages his holy war with director fashion.
Human suffering his main faction.
From his bunker he plans his shots.
The scenes he allocates to different lots.
Thousands of Iraqis his all star cast.
Casting for many regrettably their last.
Graphic propaganda heat worldwide reaction.
Civilian casualties his main attraction.
So give him an Emmy and call it quits.
His artistic endeavor an Emmy befits.
Kathleen Vela Taggart
THE BUTCHER OF BAGHDAD ©
His terrorist tactics have given him fame.
The Butcher of Baghdad his new name.
Torture, mutilation his infamous foray.
Citizens of Iraq his innocent prey.
Iraqi citizens used as shields.
His only defense as the ground war builds.
He’s ordered his guard leave no trace.
A war crime trial he will not face.
Iraqi citizens found in a pile.
No conscience no remorse he wears a smile.
Kathleen Vela Taggart
BAGHDAD BUNKER ©
You built him a bunker beneath the sand
to hide from destruction from the troups at hand.
Your talent for hire you sold your soul
your share of millions your only goal.
You blinded yourself to his satanic behavior
you saw him only a business savior.
No thought given to death only your greed
in the Holy Land the land will bleed.
Now it’s too late his bunkers are built
it’s hard to image you feel no guilt.
Kathleen Vela Taggart
STORMIN' NORMAN ©
He hit the Middle East like a bolt of lightning.
His tornadic sweep to the Iraqis frightening.
He easily dissipated the Republican Guard.
Their military presence forever marred.
He stormed the enemy by land, air and sea.
Iraqis surrendered on bended knee.
Schwarzkopf hailed for his strategic wit.
Hussein proclaimed a military twit.
Deployment of toy soldiers his childhood game.
The 1OO-hour war now his fame.
Kathleen Vela Taggart
VALIANT VETS ©
They fought a war called "Desert Storm".
Their victory quiok, not the norm.
Our fighting force young and old.
Unseasoned vets, somewhat bold.
"Support the Troops", America's beat.
No Vietnam welcome for their feat.
Our military /technology no longer a doubt.
American forces have well earned clout.
Victory rallies to denote our pride.
The Vietnam syndrome, at last, has died.
Kathleen Vela Taggart
Kathleen Vela Taggart My dear Alicia. Just want you to know that one so young has given this old lady hope every day with your positive messages. God chooses angels of your strength to send out hope to many and I am deeply grateful for that. I have always prayed for others forgetting to pray for myself. I have prayed thousands of prayers for God to give me one more day to deal with a lifetime of physical pain and mental pain. Everyday God gives me strength to carry on and along the way for my 65 years he has blessed me with people like you. Your beauty is in your soul which shines so brightly in your eyes and smile. I am so so lucky that God has also blessed me with another angel Tisha Harmon that also gives me hope in dealing with daily pain and life situations with her positive messages. My life long friends who have made me happy since returning to Kansas and the friends I had to leave behind after moving to Kansas but whose love still sustains me. Michael and I have lost so many beautiful one of a kind art, decor etc. but God has provided us with a safe place to live and we do live comfortably keeping only what we need and use everyday to survive. Don't feel bad for us we still have nice things. My sister Marie (My Ree) who spent close to $3,900 dollars of her retirement money to pay for 3 months rent waiting to get into HUD housing at Cross-Lines Retirement Center so we would not be homeless. Our apartment is 534 down the same hall where my papi lived in 524. My neighbor Sadie reminds me so much of mom, her dress, makeup, jewelry and even her apartment has the same taste in decor as mom. My friend Victor who I have adopted is 92 same age as my papi would be this year. He wears a blue baseball cap and blue parka just like dad. When I first saw him he always sat alone looking so sad. Victor and I are now best amigos. His daughter Cecilia works really hard on a very demanding job and appreciates me befriending her dad to turn on his TV, help wash his cloths and help keep his apartment clean. as she stated to me :She was in this all alone. So maybe I'm her and Victor's guardian angel. I would like to think so. God has truly blessed me with reuniting with all my cousins that have made me so so happy. God sent Michael and me back to Kansas for many reasons I realize now and I have learned to pray not only to God , but also include God the son and the Holy Spirit. Zina and Tish keep my faith alive with their messages. Your dad and mom also give me so much happiness seeing how beautiful their family and friends have such loving ties. God bless to all of you for your daily help. Love all of you. P.S. Also learned to let go and let God. So you see I am one very blessed person having so many strong friends and family and a very loving husband Michael. Posted your message and my reply to papi's memorial page today is the 5th anniversary of his passing. To all my friends who have lost their parents. The sadness we fill will never go away but rejoice in the fact they are once again whole and sitting next to God.
Barbara Harmack Taggart
Greenville, SC
Barbara June Harmack Taggart was born June 28, 1926 in Gary, Indiana to Edwin and Gladys Harmack, the youngest of three daughters. She married Dean Milburn Taggart on June 14, 1947 in Indianapolis, Indiana. They had four children; David Bruce, Tara Sue, Michael Dean, and Jill Ann.
After graduating from Lew Wallace High School in Gary, Indiana in 1943, she attended Indiana University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work in 1947. She later returned to Indiana University and graduated with a Master of Arts in Teaching in 1962. She was a life member of Indiana University Alumni and Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority
Barbara's professional career included working as a Field Director of the Indianapolis and Marion County Girl Scouts (1947-1951); a teacher in the Elkhart, Indiana School District (1951-52); Executive Director of the Women's Student YWCA of Indiana University; Director of the National Student YWCA in New York City (1968-1971); Director of the Greenville, SC YWCA (1971); a social worker with the Greenville County Housing Authority (1972-1989); a Peace Corp worker in Jamaica (1989-1991), and a housing counselor for Sunbelt Human Advancement Resources in Greenville (1991-1995).
She served as chairperson of the following boards of directors in upstate South Carolina: the Greenville County Health Planning Council, Volunteer Greenville, the Community Housing Resource Board, the Special Student Services Advisory Council of Greenville Technical College, the Homeless Coalition, and the Upstate Homeless Coalition. In addition, she served as a board member for the following: the Greenville Hospital Advisory Council, the Greenville County Home Health Services Council, SC Home Health Service, Girl Scout Council 096, and Family Counseling Services. Barbara was well-known and loved for her ability to foster communication and cooperation among the wide variety of local public service providers with whom she served.
Her many recognitions and awards include the Girl Scouts Thanks Badge 2 Award (the highest national award made to a local volunteer), the Jefferson Award (the highest national award made to a local volunteer), and the naming of a street in her honor; Taggart Drive, a perimeter road surrounding an Upstate Homeless Coalition housing site in Spartanburg County which was named in honor of her work in the founding of that Coalition.
The highlights of her career included participation in the 1964 summer Asian Seminar with the World University Service during which she traveled to Japan, Thailand, China and India; Director of a YWCA project in Lebanon in which she worked with Palestinian refugees; her appointment as the Worldwide YWCA International Nongovernmental Representative to the United Nations; her Peace Corp work in the Kingston City Dump in Jamaica; and her work in founding the Upstate Homeless Coalition.
Barbara was a member of the Greenville County Baha'i Community.
Barbara and my mom and dad were life long friends. She never failed to send them birthday and holiday cards. The cards were very much appreciated by both of my parents. My whole family loved Barbara dearly.
Barbara legacy is memorialized by a street sign named after her "Taggart Drive" in Spartanburg, SC.
It is so wonderful to have friends that stand the test of time. This is so with John and Ginny Capello. John worked with papi at Swift's meat packing plant in Missouri. I remember in my early 20's one day sitting on their porch we talked about days gone by and how our friendship with the Capello's continued from generation to generation. One of my best friends in high school was their daughter Kathy. My brother JR took Rae Ann to a school dance.
Message from facebook 8-8-2016:
Kathleen Vela Taggart Remembering a loving mother from many years gone by Rae. She was beautiful inside and out. God bless you for keeping her alive for us all that had the privilege of meeting your mother. Still remember your dad and my dad worked at Swifts meat packing many many years ago. Small world.
Rae Ann Needham-Vargas Thank you Kathy. Beautiful words. Yes the Vela's and Cappello go back many many years
Kathleen Vela Taggart I will be remembering my papi this 8-9-2016. Can't believe it has almost been five years now since he went to heaven-feeling sad but happy for him also. Can I post this picture and my message to you and your comment on his memorial page as a rememberance of a lifetime friendship from generation to generation.
Rae Ann Needham-Vargas Of course you can Kathy
In honor of Fathers Day I have posted a picture of my Grandfather along with my Grandmother as my profile picture. I say with pride my Grandfather was a man built of steel. Such strong fortitude from within. His inner strength to overcome obstacles is something I can only hope to achieve throughtout my lifetime.
I fondly recall his stories of his dealing with Pancho Villa and the soldiers. He had a watermelon garden and the soldiers would trample the garden with their horses. My Grandfather shared his concern with Pancho Villa who admired my Grandpas strength for not being afraid of him. Grandpa was a young man in his teens.
. He loved America and worked hard to study for his citizenship and achieved that in Feb of 1944. He only had a 6th grade education. But to us, he held a Ph.D in life. He loved our Grandma dearly...She was his "Mona". He took care of his family and his yard. He would even sweep and wash the street in front of his home. He had pride. The memories of this wonderful man are branded in my soul.
I cherish everything about him and although he was my Grandfather...with pride I call him Papa'. Salud
Today I attended the live stations of the cross today in the Argentine community performed by St. John the Evangelist Church. It was both a beautiful and sorrowful portrayal of Christ last days on earth. Via Con Dias (Go with God). Pictures of the Live Stations of The Cross can be viewed on my Facebook Timeline (Kathleen Vela Taggart).
Springhill, LA, United States ·
So I am at walmart....this young guy was checking out two in front of me. He tried his card several times. Wouldn't work. So he had the cashier start taking items off. Eventually he was able to get some of the stuff. This older 70 something lady said wait son. She asked the cashier to ring up the rest of his food & bought it. I thought the guy was going to cry. He told her thank you many times. She told him she understands being on tough times & have a great day. I love to see this. Especially in this small town with the age difference, the race difference. We all know how that sometimes goes. Well not today.
Kathleen Vela Taggart
Tisha that just happen to me yesterday. Walked to Walmart for some groceries. When I was ready to finish and pay in the self service aisle my debit card was not in my purse. I took everythin out of my purse no card. I said "Oh no, sorry I will have to cancel my purchases" to the young man waiting behind me. He looked to be around maybe 24 years old. He said "Wait I'll pay for it." I said "But it is over $25 dollars." The young man swiped his card and said, "I have the same thing in the pass for someone." Told him "God will surely bless him for his kindness." I felt like crying also for this young man's kindness. Walmart, 2300 Metropolitan Avenue.
Kathleen Vela Taggart : Happy Mother's Day to you in heaven mamasita. You could be a real pistol at times, but you were "our pistol." Love you so so much. My sister "Ree" loved to dress mom to the 9's and take her to lunch. Thank you Ree for being there for mom. Love Kaco.
Patti Vinsett Owensby (sister in law): She was one beautiful lady, Happy Mother's Day Mary-Lou.
Tish Alcala (cousin): Hi Aunt Mary Lou..I am sure you are enjoying Paradise with all your family that is there....Miss you always.
Kathleen Vela Taggart: Tish I am sure she is enjoying heaven. I can see her telling everyone what all the latest gossip was in the National Enquirer. That is why we called her CNN. Michael said one day, "What is the fastest way to spread the news?" Answer: TV, Radio, ask Mary Lou! God love her. I just had to add something funny about mom because it keeps me from crying. Happy Mother's Day to you Tish. Love you have a blessed day with your family. Kaco (my childhood nickname)
Life Takes a U-Turn Shared by Kathleen Vela Taggarton 11/18/2015
If your life took a u-turn are you prepared to make lemons into lemonade?
Michael and I had our peaceful life take a u-turn when he was wrongly terminated from his job for trying to prevent a PR nightmare where he was employed on 9-25-2014 that I cannot put pen to paper for fear of reprisal. I was also trying to recover from a stroke on 8-9-2014 a date that seems to have recurring dismay to the Vela clan. My brother Louis Vela Jr. passed away on 8-9-2001. My loving papi passed away 10 years later on 8-9-2010. On 8-9-2014 my left arm kept tingling. I thought it was from my back injury and my high blood pressure was from chronic pain. I kept taking my blood pressure but the high blood pressure was not subsiding. I went into the bathroom to throw water on my face and I could hear in my mind papi saying “something is wrong, don’t be like me and do nothing.” He ignored his severe fatigue and chest pains in the mid 1990s that resulted in congestive heart failure. I went into the living room and told Michael “I don’t feel so good.” I don’t know what I looked like but he jumped up from his chair and got me into the car and away we went to the emergency room. I could barely stand up and my legs were shaking uncontrollably when we arrived to the ER I hazily recall the ER staff rushing out to get me and Michael advising the series of events that brought me to the ER. Because I was shaking so uncontrollable a nurse said, “She might be seizing.” The next thing I recall was being put on a gurney and then being lifted onto the bed. I could not clearly see who was around me but I knew I was surrounded by several people. The ER staff was asking me all kinds of questions like “Do you know what day it is?” They continued to ask me a series of questions and I tried with great difficulty to answer them. My speech was becoming very slow and could physically feel the left side of my face drooping. It was such an incredibly scary feeling. I then heard a female voice saying “she might have aphasia.” In my mind I said, “Oh shit.” Aphasia is a condition that occurs when the left side of your brain is not getting enough blood supply and your brain cannot understand what you hear. My papi suffered aphasia when he had a stroke. It was heart breaking to see papi unable to communicate. His brain identified everything as “control.” I guess it was the one word he remembered because I controlled of his business and medical affairs as his power of attorney. I guess he was trying to communicate I had to take total control of his life. Both Michael and papi saved me from drastic results of a stroke. Thank God I could hear the message papi was sending me and Michael’s quick reaction in rushing me to the emergency room.
With Michael termination we had to figure out how we were going to survive. We decided that our only choice was to leave our wonderfully peaceful neighborhood in Greensboro, NC. My sister Marie dipped into her savings and set us up in one of daughter's houses. Our next step was to give away or sell as much of our possessions in a yard sale as we could. Fortunately one of our previous neighbors was helping a homeless lady. We were so glad we had the opportunity to set her up with everything she need to make a new start, pillow top bed, table and chairs, lamp and so forth. Our neighbor Randolph always helped me with yard work and always checked on Michael and me to make sure we were OK if he didn’t see us coming and going for several days. He reluctantly accepted our yard equipment. He had a man cave and really liked the little refrigerator we gave for him to stock his beer, a turn table to use when he was hired as a DJ, new 14’X14’ tent, etc. Randolph was so grateful. That is the way it is with a person who does so many acts of kindness and expects nothing in return. With the help of neighbors loading the moving truck and a sad goodbye we headed to Kansas City to return to my family.
This story will tell of the many adversities that occurred in our journey to Kansas. Some funny, some not so funny.
It was dark when Michael and I took to the road to head to Kansas. Our first mishap occurred when we got lost and Michael spotted a parking area to turn around. Little did we realize that the parking lot was way too small to turn the Penske 24 foot moving truck and a tow car carrier around. Michael had me get out to give him direction as we attempted to inch our way out to the apparently too small parking lot. I was unsuccessful in my direction and with Michael getting increasingly frustrated he got out and told me to get behind the wheel. I push the seat up as much as possible and my feet barely reached the gas pedal and brakes. My small framed barely saw over the steering wheel so it was very important that I pay attention to Michael’s direction. Inch by inch we managed to get the truck turned around and out of the parking lot but it took 25 unbelievable minutes. As we headed down the street some crazy fool was coming toward us on the wrong side of the street. Fortunately Michael some how maneuvered the truck just in time to prevent an accident. The driver had to be drunk.
From there we spotted a gas station and pulled in to get some sodas. Guess what happened next. You got it the gas station exit was loaded with cars and Michael attempted to drive thru one of the gas station lanes and we got stuck. It was funny but not funny at the same time. There went another 15 minutes maneuvering to get out of the gas station without sodas.
You never found two happier people to finally get onto the interstate. Michael managed to drive quite a distance before we stopped at a Hampton Inn. Hampton Inn is our usual hotel of perseverance when traveling. Michael pulled up at the entrance to check in. I got out of the truck and look up I don’t know why and saw that we were about 6 inches from hitting the cement canopy. Thank God we averted another mishap. We were two exhausted puppies. After a nice hot shower we settled in for a rest. It was a very peaceful sleep. The next day we made good time but not without more mishaps.
We got stuck in a highway construction zone for about an hour and the gas guage was rapidly heading toward empty. Finally the road was clear and I got on the internet to find a diesel filling station. Having averted another adversity we headed out again. About a couple of hundred miles down the road the transmission light came on. You can imagine our frustration. We called Penske and they sent out a mechanic to investigate the problem. It was sweltering hot as we waited over an hour for the mechanic to arrive. He called into Penske but it took another 45 minutes for them to call back. They advised that it must have come on because the truck was due for maintenance. We got the OK to proceed down the road. Luck was not on our side and the truck would not go over 30 miles an hour and only 20 miles an hour on the slightest incline. After a long frustrating drive of another hundred miles we pulled over in the nearest hotel.
It was a skid road hotel but we had no choice we could not go any further due to frustrating exhaustion. We had to stay two days to recover.
Mile by frustrating mile we travel on. What should have been a 3 day trip took us 8 days to get to Kansas and unexpected expense we really could not afford. I was pissed as Penske had to be prodded to not charge us the extra days.
As we pulled up to the cute house Marie rented from Tiffany her daughter we were please as it was a no outlet quite peaceful atmosphere. Completely exhausted we had to at least unload enough of the truck to get the mattress to sleep for the night. Have you ever been so so tired your whole body cried? Not a good feeling. Finally we dosed off for a long sleep. The next day Marie came to help move our furnishing into the house. We were so fortunate that the neighbor on the left came to our rescue as did a teenager from across the street to help get Michael’s motorcycle down the ramp. His legs were too wobbly to stabilize the motorcycle to drive down the ramp. That was a scary job as anyone of us could get hurt really bad if the motorcycle tipped over while inching it down the ramp. Finally success. That was the last thing to get off the truck.
Marie drove the truck to Home Depot and I followed her in our car to drop off the truck but we could barely get up the incline at the entrance to the Home Depot parking lot. As I check the truck in Penske tried to charge me for another day at the cost of $824.00. We were only 20 minutes late. I was livid after having had so many trying days with this defected truck. I said, “Oh hell no, I am not paying you a dime.” I called the representative that sent us back onto the road with transmission problems and he hung up on me. I called back asking why he hung up on me and he tried to say he didn’t it was a dropped call. Then he had the nerve to say “I’m on vacation.” I told him “I don’t give a damn you are on vacation you are not going to charge me $824.00 for being 20 minutes late due to a bad transmission.” He said we already gave you credit for having the truck in access of 5 days. He reluctantly took the extra day charge off after I threatened to call the corporate office to report his extremely horrendous customer service.
Marie and I headed home in my car. I was so glad to be home thinking as Dorothy did in the Wizard of Oz, “There’s no place like home.”
Easter Sunday 2015
God has blessed the Vela family with a talent of uncanny natural ability of artistry.
The first picture was drawn by my papi at age 72. He said he drew the picture for me because of my love of God he felt within me and painstakingly portrayed Jesus with the sadness of God's fallen children combined with the hope of renewed faith.
The second picture drawn by Eddie. First drew the picture in pencil only, Years later Eddie felt compelled to depict Jesus pain and suffering to his original drawing.
The third picture was drawn by JR depicting Mary holding her beloved son. We were so fortunate to find this beautiful depiction of a mother's love for her son.
The last I drew showing Christ ascension into heaven. Many years ago I was asked by St. Joseph church if I could donate a drawing of my art for the church festival to raise money for the church. This is the only picture I had left as I gave many of my drawings to dear friends in my life. I toiled about whether I could give up this picture I loved so very much. I donated this picture in a beautiful frame for their church drawing to raise money. At the last second Michael looked at me and I guess he could see my sadness and bought 5 lottery tickets. We were told the winner would be notified around 7pm that day. Around 9:30pm the church called and said, "You are not going to believe this but your husband Michael won your picture of Christ ascension into heaven". You can imagine both of our joy. Mom had this picture hanging above her bed for a great many years and was later given to Father Dennis Waite after mom's mass and at the gathering at her memorial inturnment.
The spanish translation of the name Vela means candle in English. It is my hope that by sharing this artwork the Vela family has lit a "light" of how much God the father, God the son and God the Holy Ghost loved us all so so much He sacrifice His son for your sins.
The Vela family's hope is that all have risen this day as Christ did and that we all have a renewal of faith. God bless to family, friends and the public that will view this website will be lit with a renew light of love in all of our souls for Christ sacrifice. I thank God that he has given our family so much strength and hope during our lives.
Rejoice and be happy for Christ has risen. God bless to all this day .
I read this on my Face Book today.
I GOT FIRED TODAY.
To some, these words may sound horrific and scary. In my case, I make a conscience choice to place my trust in God who made me and shares with me to never be afraid. “Be not afraid” is written over 360 times throughout the Holy Scriptures and for good reasons. Fear in today’s society is what we hold onto and trust is never given to Our Creator who made us and has the most love for us.
Don’t get me wrong, I have experienced the deer in the headlights look multiple times since hearing of my termination. I have also felt times of fear when considering the responsibilities that I have to my bride and my family. My prayer and how I choose to move forward in this new chapter of my life is in total trust. This is the conscience decision that I freely choose. I choose to walk by faith and not by sight.
When we place our trust in God, turn to God in His Word, and allow ourselves to be transformed and let doors close that He wants closed, we will find ourselves at the open door of Christ’s loving arms. Please pray that we all follow the direction of the one who created all of us. May God bless all of you with His abundant graces! Your brother in Christ, Bill
Kathleen Vela Taggart
Dear William, thank you from the bottom of my heart and soul that you have such a strong faith in God. It takes great courage to lay one's troubles to others and even more to ask for their prayers. My husband also got fired He has been staying up all night for about 4 days now. I have been walking around with my silent prayers for God to keep us both strong. I have always told my husband "Everything happens for a reason, there are no mistakes with God." Sometimes God needs to use us for a greater purpose. He is going on 59 and I am going on 64. Only income now is my social security disability so I have been applying for help where ever I can. I have only asked God to direct our lives, to give us both courage and not fear about tomorrow or the coming days. I needed to hear your story today. You will never realize how much. I pray for courage, endurance and my abiding faith in God to remain ever strong. You reminded me we must leave our lives in God's hands, but you know as well as I sometimes that is easier said than done. Although we are struggling I think about the hungry, the homeless and for those who have no faith to turn to. My husband has a PhD in Physics, MS Occupational Health, Certified Industrial Hygienist, Certified Safety Professional, former OHSA Compliance Officer and served over 8 years teaching environmental health and safety. He was fired for trying to prevent a PR nightmare at a university whose older dorms are detrimental to the health of those who occupy the rooms where mold, bedbugs, and in one case high Co2 levels have been found. There has also been fears that asbestos has been reported. My only hope and prayer is that the hazardous unhealthy situations for which the occupants may not know about will come to light and be remedied. Sometimes life seems so unfair but like I said, "Everything happens for a reason, there are no mistakes with God. God bless and keep you. I will pray for you also.
Sent to me via Facebook from a very special friend I like to call my 'sister from another mother".
While visiting some cemeteries you may notice that headstones marking certain graves have coins on them, left by previous visitors to the grave.
These coins have distinct meanings when left on the headstones of those who gave their life while serving in America's military, and these meanings vary depending on the denomination of coin.
A coin left on a headstone or at the grave site is meant as a message to the deceased soldier's family that someone else has visited the grave to pay respect. Leaving a penny at the grave means simply that you visited.
A nickel indicates that you and the deceased trained at boot camp together, while a dime means you served with him in some capacity. By leaving a quarter at the grave, you are telling the family that you were with the solider when he was killed.
According to tradition, the money left at graves in national cemeteries and state veterans cemeteries is eventually collected, and the funds are put toward maintaining the cemetery or paying burial costs for indigent veterans.
In the US, this practice became common during the Vietnam war, due to the political divide in the country over the war; leaving a coin was seen as a more practical way to communicate that you had visited the grave than contacting the soldier's family, which could devolve into an uncomfortable argument over politics relating to the war.
Some Vietnam veterans would leave coins as a "down payment" to buy their fallen comrades a beer or play a hand of cards when they would finally be reunited.
The tradition of leaving coins on the headstones of military men and women can be traced to as far back as the Roman Empire.
My strength comes from my dear dad (Papi as my husband and I affectionately called him) who has now passed on 8-9-2011. He taught us "Only the strong survive." Papi was a person whom I highly respect and has taught me so so much throughout his life. Papi was an orphan but that never stopped him or let it be an excuse not to try to be the best at everything he did in life and tried to instill this saying by his example into all of his children. Papi once said of mom in later years, "I ain't got s--t on Mary Lou." Meaning he had high respect for her strength of will. Mom showed us her strength through stubborness to do it herself if we didn't respond quick enough to her request. Many times it resulted in an injury but she always got back up and did it herself. " Mom passed away 12-7-2012 at 83 years old as a result of an injury when she fell and broke her femur bone in half and didn't survive the surgery. The day came when the Lord said, "Mary Lou you have had enough time to come home.
They both have earned the comforts of heaven. Their strength of will always remain in my mind and heart to never give up because as Papi always said, "Only the strong survive."
Dad built us a Go Cart that was pretty elaborate. It had controlled steering via a rope that wrapped around the front axle.Don't ask me how it worked, I don't know, but it worked very well. He used roller skates for the wheel which we found out later enhanced the riding speed greatly. The street in front of our house on Greystone had a sloped street. I remember dad was driving and I was on the back holding on- and I think JR was sitting in front of dad -- then we heard a siren and a cop car pulled us over. We were scared because the cop asked dad for his license and registration. We were to young to know dad was going along with the prank the cop was playing on us. He said he was going to give us a warning this time and said, "You need to get this Go Cart off the street." Dad took us farther down the street where he knew the city was making a new road. It had a great slope on it -- just perfect for the Go Cart to pick up speed. Dad went first and it looked like great fun, then JR. JR loved it and took a couple of turns before he gave up the Go Cart. He was always a dare devil. He was smiling from ear to ear. I was next and away I went down the slope into a pile of construction materials and flipped the Go-Cart on it's side and I got about a 6 inch by 1 1/2 inch of skin scraped on my left arm. Had that scar until I was about 40 years old. And yes, I took the driver's education course my senior year before I started to drive for real.
Like any normal child, we all loved to watch the Saturday morning cartoons. One Saturday, I can't remember which one of us misbehaved, all I know it wasn't me.
Dad was an equal opportunity disciplinary. When one of us misbehaved, we all got disciplined; there had been too many times when no one would come forward. We were all for one and one for all.
Since it was Saturday, dad gave us the choice of a spanking or no cartoons. He told us to think about it. Well that seemed kind of fair so we gathered in a circle to discuss the situation; watch cartoons or get the spanking.
There was a lot of discussion because there was only one guilty party. Spanking or cartoons; spanking or cartoons. Spanking was the final decision as a spanking wouldn't take that long and Saturday morning cartoons would still be on the TV for a long time.
Tisha (my sista from another mother) your cartoon reminded me of a good story for you. Papi and I was at Walmart waiting in line to get checked out. There were two older women in front of us. Papi kept making farting noises with his mouth-the kind that sound like really really stinky farts. He must have done this prank quite often growing up because the fart noise he made sounded authentic. I kept saying, "Dad stop." because I was hiding in back of him and my stomach hurt from trying not to laugh out loud. The two older women kept giving him distasteful looks. They couldn't get out of there fast enough. The cashier had to wait until the two older women left the cashier station before she could crack up laughing. I gave him a look like "You shouldn't have done that." All he said was, "What!" Papi always did like to make us laugh until tears came running down our cheeks and our tummies hurt from laughing so much. We would tell him to STOP so we could catch our breath. He would say "OK" but with perfect timing he would let us settle ourselves down - then he would start all over again. It was rough on our tummies, but fun. Papi left us with so many funny memories.
A NYC Taxi driver wrote:
I arrived at the address and honked the horn. After waiting a few minutes I honked again. Since this was going to be my last ride of my shift I thought about just driving away, but instead I put the car in park and walked up to the door and knocked.. 'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.
After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940's movie.
By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets.
There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.
'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.
She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.
She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing', I told her.. 'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother to be treated.'
'Oh, you're such a good boy, she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, 'Could you drive through downtown?'
'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly..
'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice.
I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. 'I don't have any family left,' she continued in a soft voice..'The doctor says I don't have very long.' I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.
'What route would you like me to take?' I asked.
For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.
We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.
Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.
As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired. Let's go now'.
We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.
Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her.
I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.
'How much do I owe you?' She asked, reaching into her purse.
'Nothing,' I said
'You have to make a living,' she answered.
'There are other passengers,' I responded.
Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug.She held onto me tightly.
'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said. 'Thank you.'
I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light.. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life..
I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk.What if that woman had gotten an angry driver,or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?
On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.
We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.
But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.
A must READ - Good morning said a woman as she walked up to the man sitting on the ground.
The man slowly looked up.
This was a woman clearly accustomed to the finer things of life. Her coat was new.. She looked like she had never missed a meal in her life.
His first thought was that she wanted to make fun of him, like so many others had done before.. "Leave me alone," he growled....
To his amazement, the woman continued standing.
She was smiling -- her even white teeth displayed in dazzling rows. "Are you hungry?" she asked.
"No," he answered sarcastically. "I've just come from dining with the president. Now go away."
The woman's smile became even broader. Suddenly the man felt a gentle hand under his arm.
"What are you doing, lady?" the man asked angrily. "I said to leave me alone.
Just then a policeman came up. "Is there any problem, ma'am?" he asked..
"No problem here, officer," the woman answered. "I'm just trying to get this man to his feet. Will you help me?"
The officer scratched his head. "That's old Jack. He's been a fixture around here for a couple of years. What do you want with him?"
"See that cafeteria over there?" she asked. "I'm going to get him something to eat and get him out of the cold for awhile."
"Are you crazy, lady?" the homeless man resisted. "I don't want to go in there!" Then he felt strong hands grab his other arm and lift him up. "Let me go, officer. I didn't do anything."
"This is a good deal for you, Jack" the officer answered. "Don't blow it.."
Finally, and with some difficulty, the woman and the police officer got Jack into the cafeteria and sat him at a table in a remote corner. It was the middle of the morning, so most of the breakfast crowd had already left and the lunch bunch had not yet arrived...
The manager strode across the cafeteria and stood by his table. "What's going on here, officer?" he asked. "What is all this, is this man in trouble?"
"This lady brought this man in here to be fed," the policeman answered.
"Not in here!" the manager replied angrily. "Having a person like that here is bad for business.."
Old Jack smiled a toothless grin. "See, lady. I told you so. Now if you'll let me go. I didn't want to come here in the first place."
The woman turned to the cafeteria manager and smiled....... "Sir, are you familiar with Eddy and Associates, the banking firm down the street?"
"Of course I am," the manager answered impatiently. "They hold their weekly meetings in one of my banquet rooms."
"And do you make a godly amount of money providing food at these weekly meetings?"
"What business is that of yours?"
I, sir, am Penelope Eddy, president and CEO of the company."
"Oh."
The woman smiled again. "I thought that might make a difference." She glanced at the cop who was busy stifling a giggle. "Would you like to join us in a cup of coffee and a meal, officer?"
"No thanks, ma'am," the officer replied. "I'm on duty."
"Then, perhaps, a cup of coffee to go?"
"Yes, ma’am. That would be very nice."
The cafeteria manager turned on his heel, "I'll get your coffee for you right away, officer."
The officer watched him walk away. "You certainly put him in his place," he said.
"That was not my intent. Believe it or not, I have a reason for all this."
She sat down at the table across from her amazed dinner guest. She stared at him intently.. "Jack, do you remember me?"
Old Jack searched her face with his old, rheumy eyes. "I think so -- I mean you do look familiar."
"I'm a little older perhaps," she said. "Maybe I've even filled out more than in my younger days when you worked here, and I came through that very door, cold and hungry."
"Ma'am?" the officer said questioningly. He couldn't believe that such a magnificently turned out woman could ever have been hungry.
"I was just out of college," the woman began. "I had come to the city looking for a job, but I couldn't find anything. Finally I was down to my last few cents and had been kicked out of my apartment. I walked the streets for days. It was February and I was cold and nearly starving. I saw this place and walked in on the off chance that I could get something to eat."
Jack lit up with a smile. "Now I remember," he said.. "I was behind the serving counter. You came up and asked me if you could work for something to eat. I said that it was against company policy."
"I know," the woman continued. "Then you made me the biggest roast beef sandwich that I had ever seen, gave me a cup of coffee, and told me to go over to a corner table and enjoy it. I was afraid that you would get into trouble... Then, when I looked over and saw you put the price of my food in the cash register, I knew then that everything would be all right."
"So you started your own business?" Old Jack said.
"I got a job that very afternoon. I worked my way up. Eventually I started my own business that, with the help of God, prospered." She opened her purse and pulled out a business card.. "When you are finished here, I want you to pay a visit to a Mr. Lyons...He's the personnel director of my company. I'll go talk to him now and I'm certain he'll find something for you to do around the office." She smiled. "I think he might even find the funds to give you a little advance so that you can buy some clothes and get a place to live until you get on your feet... If you ever need anything, my door is always opened to you."
There were tears in the old man's eyes. "How can I ever thank you?" he said.
"Don't thank me," the woman answered. "To God goes the glory. Thank Jesus...... He led me to you."
Outside the cafeteria, the officer and the woman paused at the entrance before going their separate ways....
"Thank you for all your help, officer," she said.
"On the contrary, Ms. Eddy," he answered. "Thank you. I saw a miracle today, something that I will never forget. And.. And thank you for the coffee."
Kathleen Vela Taggart Tish thanks for this beautiful story.
December 5 at 9:36am
Kathleen Vela Taggart I am going to write a similar story. "A simple smile to remember." and put this story and mine on papi's memorial page. It is a smile that still lives in my heart and will always be there. I'll let you know when I post to the memorial page.
Always remember it is the simple things in life that count--something to think about. God bless to all that HE lift up your hearts during the holidays. My cuz Tish sent me a picture of an old man wrapped in an old blanket and this story of the kindness extended to him by someone from his past.
A simple smile to remember........
God has always helped me to survive all my life. When I was 19 or 20 years old I had a job and had to park about 6 blocks away. Every day for about two weeks I passed this woman walking towards me. Her shoulders slumped and her head cast down. She looked as though she carried so much sorrow and slumped over as though she was burdened with the weight of the world. I smiled, but she never looked up. I would say a prayer for her because I knew what she was going through and felt her pain. Life was never easy for me back then. I had always been quiet and introverted as a child and was trying to find my own way. Papi was always so proud of me because I never caused trouble and never asked a favor unless I did extra work to deserve asking. He would tell me, please don’t ever mess up you are the only one I have I can brag about. Marie was married by then so I was considered the oldest and tried so hard to always be good for papi. He would always tell me “Only the strong survive.” That was my heavy load. My sadness was that he thought I had such strength and perseverance. He never knew I prayed everyday for God to give me one more day because I knew I could survive these burdens with HIS help. No one knew but me and God.
At the end of those two weeks life got so heavy for me trying to be perfect it was I who walked with shoulders slumped and head cast down trying to hold back tears. I saw the lady approaching me in the same manner and knew I had to give her a smile no matter how I felt. Just when I mustered up the courage to lift my head to give her a smile, she looked up at me and there was a glow surrounding her face. She looked straight into my eyes and gave me the most beautiful smile that filled my being with strength and conviction. Strength and conviction that still carries me through life still to this day no matter what. That smile will never be forgotten and neither will papi’s words “Only the strong survive.”
I have spent the last couple of days to reflect on my life and that of our family. 4 pieces of artwork left to right Louis Vela Sr., Eddie Vela, Louis Vela, Jr., Kathleen Vela Taggart. (See photo section to view artwork associated with my message.) 4 different interpretations of how Christ intersected our individual lives. Our family name Vela means 'candle' in English. Maybe that is why I feel compelled to bring to light that God is always ever present in our lives whether we are troubled or joyous. God will never leave any of HIS children. He is in every face you encounter, you just have to look. It is my prayer this day that we learn to see God in everyone. To do one act of kindness each day. To go beyond our own underlying selfishness and help those in need. And that we all pray for the families who's love ones defend our religious freedom. We need to wake up and realize all that we have. My life has been blessed with many people many times who have prayed for our family in times of trouble and grief and I thank God for each and every one of you. Have a blessed day, rejoice for "Christ has Risen."
1/14/2014
I went to Kansas to spend Christmas with my brother Eddie and sister Marie and Marie's daughters and their families. Before I left for Kansas I went to Beacon Place and placed a Christmas angel by papi's memorial brick (see photo gallery). One angel for papi and one for mom. Then I went into the chapel and prayed for a safe trip and courage to face Christmas without mom. Last Christmas we were all too emotional and in shock to enjoy Christmas. This Christmas was the realization that neither mom or dad is no longer with us. I prayed there would be no sorrow, just happiness that their long long journey had come to pass and that they both are now in Heaven.
Surprisingly, we all were able to talk about mom and dad without sorrow and remembered how much these two very strong people shaped our lives.
Yes, life has always been hard, and more times than not disfunctional, but that is what made all of us so strong. With mom, dad and constant prayer and request for prayer to get through those very difficult times in our lives we have all survived realizing, I think, that none of us would change one moment of our lives thus far. God bless our family.
I have posted pictures of our Christmas gathering. Thank you God for a joyful Christmas
Didn't make it too see papi's memorial bricks at Beacon Place because I got hit by a big SUV, but I wanted to honor him in some way because Michael and I loved him so so much. He was so lovable. We both still miss him, probably always will. God bless to all the father's in the familly,
See (Video Section) shared in loving memory of Louis Vela, Sr. on his online memorial. Papi and Tweety www.forevermissed.com
Arianna Kim McConnell
Tuesday, March 04, 2014 Tish, Adrian and family. I know I am only one among many who have been blessed to look upon Arianna angelic face. I know there is a long long line in heaven of generations of family that wait patiently to hold Arianna in their arms. Yes, we have lost many loved ones and it has been difficult, but knowing Arianna is in heaven for them to share her angelic smile will heal my heart. God and prayer will give us all strength and her angelic smile will be etched in the memory of many. ~ Kathleen Vela Taggart, Greensboro, North Carolina
February 9, 2014
Message from my cousin Tish Alcala on Facebook.
Our hearts are broken at 214....our precious Arianna went home with the angels. She was six weeks old.
She had just been fed her a bottle and burped and then her dad changed her diaper and she stopped breathing. They did CPR and went to the hospital and then transferred her to Children's Mercy but she didn't make it. So sad.
Message to Tish.
It is 2:45 am Monday, February 10, 2014 and my heart is still weeping for the unexpected loss of your grandchild. There are no words that I can convey to you or Adrian to ease the pain. I know in my heart you will be strong for Adrian because you have such a loving heart. I will ask God to give you and your family strength to get through this unexpected tragic loss. I will keep you all in my daily prayers. I am going to put Arianna's her picture on my Facebook timeline because I never want to forget this beautiful angelic child. God bless.
On Saturday, February 15, 2014 a mass and a celebration of life luncheon was held for Arianna's in Topeka, KS.
Message to Tish.
Tish I was there in spirit and prayed for all the family and friends for God to lift up their hearts with joy for this precious child. I really like that you asked for people not to wear black and made her memorial a celebration of her life. She touched so so many hearts. Not being able to be there for you and your family made me sad. I didn't cry but had a big lump in my throat and soggy eyeballs as I prayed. You are right her sweet angelic face is etched in my heart also forever. I will think of her now with a smile in my heart because God is now holding her in His loving arms. Although I know she will be with God in heaven it still weighs heavy on my heart. Thank you for sharing Arianna with me as I never had a child of my own. Love you and Adrian. God bless. Via con Dios, Arianna.
Dear Papi and Mamasita
It is with somewhat a heavy heart that Michael and I celebrate Thanksgiving. We have so many things to thank God for. Although neither Michael and I have ideal health, God still gives us enough strength to get through the day. God gave us strong parents and you have taught us well. God gives us shelter each day, food so that we do not hunger, faith that grows stronger every day. A loving family that will endure the test of time.
Thank you God for all of your blessings. Thank you for the love we will always hold in our hearts for papi and mamasita. Thank you for Michael's mother Barbara. Thank you for keeping her safe and loved.
God most of all I thank you for the unconditional love you have bestowed on Michael and I and our families.
Memorial Day 2013
Went to Beacon Place to donate a beautiful candle for the chapel in memory of mom and dad. Told the staff our last name Vela means candle in English. I am going to put the picture of the candle on this memorial page. I haven't posted the pictures Marie let me borrow yet. I am glad they were not destroyed in the house fire. Memorial Day was really rough. I couldn't quit crying as I went to my car so I got out and sat on the swing by the flower garden where papi's memorial bricks are located. I asked God to help me let go of the generation past and rejoice in the new generation. As I was swinging I thought of Bella and JuJu (two new additions to "La Familia" the family and how happy they were swinging. I kept hearing Bella saying "I wing, I wing." It made me smile and I said "I wing too Bella, I wing too."
Reply fromy niece Dominique Robinson Dziedzic my sister Marie's eldest daughter.
Damn girl! You made me cry! We love you so much. You deserve those flowers! You know God gives us just want we need, so happy we could give you honorary grand babies. Grandma and grandpa are in a beautiful place and we will join them one day and "wing" together!
I thank God for Marie who I love very very much. I thank God for her beautiful daughters who are all beautiful inside and out.
8-9-2013
I went to visit papi today and put a little marble figure and a rose of a small Mexican boy taking a siesta. I then went to the chapel at Beacon Place and knelt and prayed. I asked God to please take away the tears and let me remember only the fun things papi, Michael and I shared during his time with us before his passing 8-9-2011. Michael and I shared our grief the night before. As I left the chapel to go visit papi's memorial bricks I felt an overwhelming calmness. I sat on a bench and thought of papi and the little humming bird that would visit him outside his window at Beacon Place. I wondered if the little humming bird would come to share my time with papi. As I looked up about a minute later there it was hovering over his feeder. It was the first time the little humming bird stayed for at least 2 minutes, maybe longer just hovering and sipping the necture from his feeder over and over again. In the past, the little humming bird only took 1or 2 quick sips then took off. This time it stay to share my time with papi. It made me happy. I then sat on the swing and was thankful there were no tears. I am thankful to God for answering my prayer.
MARY LOU VELA
Mary Lou Vela age 83, passed away Friday December 7, 2012 in Kansas City, MO. Memorial services will be held 10 AM., Wednesday December 19, 2012 at Holy Name Catholic Church. Inurnment will follow services at Maple Hill Cemetery.
Mary Lou was born August 24, 1929 in Topeka, KS to Alfonso and Simona (Rios) Padilla. Mary Lou was a long time member of Holy Name Catholic Church in Kansas City, KS.
Mary Lou was preceded in death by her husband: Louis Vela, her son Louis Vela, Jr. (on the same date 10 years prior to his passing) 2 brothers and 2 sisters. She is survived by her son: Edward Vela, daughters: Marie Robinson, Kathleen Taggart, Susan Prucka, 4 sisters and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Condolences may be left on Mary Lou's website: www.maplehillfuneralhome.com.
August 13, 2012
The anniversary of Papi's passing was August 9. I had my last bereavement counselor meeting on August 8. I will miss my bereavement counselor, her smile and her beautiful, compassionate spirit. I could not have survived without her. She became a bereavement counselor because of her father's passing.
I went back to Beacon Place to donate a book "90 minutes in Heaven" in his memory and I laminated the website of Papi's memorial site so others may also know how they can honor their love one as they recover from the stages of grief and start to remember the happy times. The website was $75.00 and will remain on the internet forever, (i.e. forevermissed.com.) I also wanted to donate in Papi's memory some of the most beautiful pictures of Christ with his mother Mary, Christ sitting awaiting HIS sentence, Christ carrying the cross for all of our sins, Christ's death and the world darken, HIS tomb with HIS spirit floating above HIM and 2 beautiful pictures of HIS ascension into heaven.
I thought I was prepared to visit Papi's memorial bricks located in the Beacon Place garden to honor the anniversary of his passing. I laid a rose between the bricks, one memorial brick from the Vela family to 'Big Lou', and one memorial brick from Michael and me to 'Papi." As I entered Beacon Place my legs started getting weak and I just completely fell apart as I gave the gifts to the staff at Beacon Place. The nurse made me a cup of coffee and gave me a box of Kleenex and said to stay as long as I needed. It took a while to stop crying, but I calmed down as I spoke with a volunteer and the Chaplain. When I returned home, I could see Michael had been crying so I had to muster up all my strength to comfort him with his grief. We loved Papi so much and always will.
I am sorry I have not yet finished the titled stories. I have pictures to add of Eddie's artwork, his only surviving son and there will always be more stories.
It is unbelievable how many people have visited Papi's memorial website, but I thank God that Papi's life has touched so many lives and will continue to do so.
I will always have something to post to Papi's website. This website will stay on the internet forever. God bless all who have visited this website and continue to do so.
My brother Eddie requested I remove the picture of Papi where he look so sad and ill after my sister Marie and I rescued him from the nursing home where he was mistakenly admitted to the Custodial Care Unit, but I decided to leave it because it reflected his pain during this part of his life. He had become too tired and emotional at the get together before he left Kansas City, Kansas to come live with Michael and me in Greensboro, NC until his passing. Michael had hope we would have a couple of years with Papi, but he had gone through too much and suffered severe post-traumatic stress and the will to live.
That one fateful day he became angry as to what happened to all of his belonging which held his memories and I told him "I 'm sorry, I didn't know.” It was then that he said, "I might as well just die." That was the beginning of the end of my Papi's life, the saddest day of my life and Michael's too.
I pray that now only the happy times will now fill my mind and my heart so that I can continue to write about Papi's life and hope his life will inspire other people. I am thinking of writing a book someday about my Papi's life to illustrate how strong the human soul can be. God bless.
Please feel free to light a candle for Papi and leave a comment. It would be greatly appreciated.
Kathleen Vela Taggart
I was so blessed when I found these two votive candle holders for dad. Michael and I affectionately called him "Papi".
Michael said the stone circular votive candle holder represented that Papi and I would always be tied to each other in spirit.
I recently had to put away Papi's picture after the anniversary of his passing. Seeing his kind, sweet face made Michael and I cry all the time because we love and miss him so much.
Michael bought this Humming Bird house to donate to the lady that tends the surrounding gardens at Beacon Place in memory of Papi and the little humming bird that drank the nectar outside his window.
I was feeling very sad the day I found this poem at the Goodwill Store. Someone had taken the time to cross stitch and frame this beautiful poem. I, of course, bought the framed poem to share on dad's memorial site.
My neighbor loved it so much, I gave it to her.
HEAVEN’S GROCERY STORE
I was walking down life’s highway, a long time ago
One day I saw a sign that read “Heaven’s Grocery Store”
As I got a little closer, the door came open wide
And when I came to myself, I was standing just inside
I saw a host of angels, they were standing everywhere
one handed me a basket and said,”child, shop with care”
Everything a Christian needs is in that grocery store
and what you can’t carry, why just come back for more!
First I got some patience, love was in the very same row
further down was understanding, you need it wherever you go
I got a box or two of wisdom, a bag or two of faith
I couldn’t miss the Holy Spirit, for He was all over the place
I stopped for strength and courage to help me run this race
Though my basket was nearly full…..I realized I needed grace!
I did not forget salvation, for salvation…..that was free!
So I tried to get enough to save both you and me
Then I started for the counter to pay my grocery bill
But as I started up the aisle, I saw prayer…..I had to put it in
for I knew when I stepped outside I’d run right into sin
Peace and joy were plentiful, lying on the very last shelf
Song and praise were hanging near, so I just helped myself
Then I said unto the angel, “How much do I owe?
He smiled and said, “Just take your basket wherever you go!”
Again I said, “How much do I really owe?”
Still smiling he said, “Jesus paid your bill long, long ago?
MBS
95
I was in the Salvation Family Store a couple of weeks ago when a lady stopped and asked me what it was I was carrying. I said, "It is glass cube, I am going to use as a planter. You used to see these thick glass cubes used for bar windows back in the 1950s. I described other glass planter's my husband Michael made using marbles on the bottom, blue fish gravel and potting soil. It makes a beautiful planter because you can see the nature in it. I could tell she wished she had seen the glass cube first.
Somehow we got to talking and the conversation changed to Papi. All the sudden she said, "Oh my God, he is here standing beside me, Oh my God, O my God. She was shaken and started to cry. She said, "No one believes me when I feel someone's spirit." Then she said, "I'm crying, but I feel like laughing." I then quoted something Papi always said, "The same thing that will make you laugh, will make you cry." It was a message from Papi.
I handed her the glass cube with a $1 dollar bill inside, the cost of the glass cube. She said, "I'll pay for it myself, I am going to keep this dollar, I'll never spend it."
Believe it or not.
February 23, 2012
Happy Birthday in Heaven Papi. Miss you bunches, so does Michael.
Marie, Eddie and I went to your niche where your urn is at Maple Hill Cemetary. We all said good-bye to you in our own way. Marie gave you your "signature wink", I patted your engraved stone, Eddie said a silent prayer. I went to KC last week so Marie and I could have a little fun before her third surgery on her left ankle. After she recovers from that surgery, she will have another surgery on the right ankle. She wouldn't let me do anything but relax and have fun for this trip. My last two trips to KC for your Celebration of Life and to help Eddie with his move,.I didn't have time to visit with anyone. Too busy working. I am so grateful to her. It helped to take some of the sorrow away because we had time to remember the funny things about you and laugh and laugh.
Marie and I gave the money you left us all to Eddie. He was living in apartment that got water damage in the ceiling and started growing black mold. This is very dangerous to a healthy human being, for a transplant patient it is a death sentence. Eddie has had such a hard life. I told him to only take his clothes, but wash them all to get the mold spores out of them. He only took his bed frame, chester drawer and side night stand. He, of course, took his guitars, but that was it. I went on an online shopping spree and bought everything Eddie would need for the rest of his life. I made sure to get quality purchases, he deserves it. New flat screen, lap top, bed linens, bath room accessories, everything he would need for his new stainless steel, granite counter top kitchen. He always wished that someday he could live in a nice place. Eddie was starting to look really bad again living in that moldy apartment. I am happy to report Eddie now looks healthy, strong and he is so thankful to you. Without your money, he would continue to live basically in a skid row condition. Eddie had everything taken away from him in his divorce. Due to his liver cancer he lost his home, his wife and was a month away losing his life when he got his transplant.
Papi, I didn't want Eddie your remaining son to have a sad rest of his life. I know how unhappy you were that everything you owned was taken from you. Marie and I didn't want Eddie to leave this world as unhappy as you were losing everything you owned.
All I can say, "Is the Lord works in mysterious ways." I can hear you saying,"You got that right."
Eddie is so happy and grateful. He prays for me, Michael, Marie and mom everyday.
I'll be back later to write some more stories. I love you very, very, very, very much.
"A Singer"
As I mentioned earlier in dad's life story, he had voice lessons as an orphan and developed an uncanny ability to sound and sing in the same style as his favorite singers Frankie Lane, Frank Sinatra and Al Jolson.
I remember dad took me to a piano bar. I became his buddy after his divorce. When we arrived the entire bar was singing to their favorite songs. When dad started to sing the whole bar got completely quiet as they all listened in awe. He got a standing ovation and the piano player actually gave him a microphone to sing alongside him while he played dad's favorite songs.
"The Artist"
I remember dad had always pencil sketched during his 20's and 30's. At the age of 72 he was bored during the winter months and decided to try his hand at drawing again. He developed a talent to draw the most unbelievable beautiful pictures using colored pencils. He sold a lot of his artwork to fellow patrons of Nichol's Restaurant on Southwest Trafficway in Kansas City, MO. He also drew a few commissioned pieces of art drawing from several pictures into one.
As luck would have it, his daughter Kathleen, his son Edward and his grandsons Josh and Scott discovered they also could draw never having any art lessons. You can view some of their pencil artwork in the photo gallery. You will be amazed what was naturally drawn with no previous art lessons. Hope you enjoy the artwork.
"A Fantastic Dancer"
Dad was a fantastic dancer. I remember the dances my parents went to quite often in Topeka, KS. We stayed at mom's mother's home (Grandma Simona). I remember my sisters and I watched in fascination as everyone got all dolled up to go to the dance. It was only when we became teenagers that we were allowed to go to a couple of dances. Mexican dances are family oriented, you would see people of all ages on the dance floor, including little kids. I was amazed how the older generation, and I mean old, could dance all night. The dance music was fast and polka style dancing. I remember on one occasion, I participated in the dancing but I couldn't keep up with the older generation.
All of the wives (mom's friends) would line up waiting their turn to dance with dad. Mom was just glad it wasn't her feet that were aching.
Dad also was a sharp dresser, very handsome and for the dances he dressed in a "mafia style attire." He looked very cool.
Before one dance, he went to get a haircut. We cracked up laughing because the barber in Topeka cut so high around his ears, they looked like white wall tires. Needless to say, dad went out and bought a fedora to wear to the dance.
"The Carpenter"
I mentioned in dad's life story that he was always adding rooms to our original four room house. Wood cost a lot, even back in the 1950s, so all of us would ride in the back of his red Studebaker truck and go "dumpster diving" for wood every weekend. Little did we know after our first adventure in "dumpster diving", we still had to take all the nails out of the wood.
After stepping on nails a couple of times while running in the backyard, we were all a hell of a lot more diligent about pulling out all the big and small nails.
No one ever confessed who was slacking off either.
"A Musician"
Dad never had former piano music lessons, but I guess because of his vocal training he had an exceptionally good ear for music. He couldn't read music, he played by ear and was pretty darn good. Good enough to draw a crowd around the piano at the annual "Waiters Dinner." Of course, it did help to have a few drinks under his belt first. He would sing and play the piano, I was even quite surprise at his talent.
Dad had a small upright piano in his apartment at Cross-Lines Retirement Center. Although he didn't play the piano anymore, I'm sure having it there in his apartment supplied him with many fond memories of days gone by.
I took pictures of the beautiful gardens surrounding Beacon Place (hospice facility) to remind us all of the beauty on earth God gave us.
There was one very special volunteer that is the sole groundskeeper. I know it must fill her heart with great joy to provide dying patients with such beautiful surroundings.
I also wanted to educate people, there are other alternatives to nursing home custodial care in your loved ones final days.
I was told that not all states have hospice facilities, but at least you now know of one beautiful place you can take your loved one where they would be treated with the utmost love, compassion and dignity.
This humming bird feeder hung outside papi's window at Beacon Place (hospice facility.)
One day I saw a humming bird come to drink the nectar, the humming bird was so tiny he literally looked only about an inch long.
I was so happy God sent papi a little humming bird to keep him company. He was always fascinated with all of God's creatures. He greatly enjoyed watching the entire series of Planet Earth.
I don't know if he ever actually saw the little humming bird, but it made me happy to see him come to visit him every day.
Dad would always think of something that would make us all laugh. One day after grocery shopping, he started doing what we named "donuts in the parking lot". He would hold the steering wheel completely to the left and go round and round and round. We never knew when or how many "donuts" he would do. He loved to make us all laugh. Just when we thought he was going to quit as he headed toward the exit, he would start doing donuts again and again and again and we would all laugh until our tummies hurt.
It was the most fun during the winter because it would leave tracks. I always wondered what people thought when they saw the tracks or if they tried it themselves.
Hope they did because it was great fun.
Papi said to me on several occasions, "I think you are the only one that realizes how bad off I am". He had congestive heart disease, in addition to diabetes, hypertension, high blood pressure, etc. He would always walk with his back straight, shoulders back, never breaking a sweat no matter how hard it was.
I had been taking care of all of papi's medical appointments and medications refills since 2002 except when he was in and out of nursing homes after his stroke.
Michael and I lived in Kansas from July 2002 - December 2004, I took papi to do his PT-INR labs every month. The PT-INR lab determines how much Coumadin is needed to keep his blood from getting too thin or too thick, either way it could be fatal if he wasn't taking the right dose.
One visit I had several medical issues I wanted him to discuss with Dr. Ragland and gave him a list of his current ailments.
When he came back out, I asked him what Dr. Ragland had to say. He said, "Oh, I forgot to ask him." I said, "That's why I wrote them down for you". He said, "I'll tell him next time." I replied, "No, get back in there". I told the receptionist, he didn't address all my medical concerns. He was not happy, but he knew, I wasn't going to leave until he went back in there.
Later, after he quit being mad, he thanked me for taking care of him.
One evening, Papi seemed to be feeling a little low and hanging his head. Michael and I knew that's when he would start to think of the bad things that happened to him.
We would find different ways to keep his mind off these bad thoughts, so we turned on the web cam on our large flat TV screen. Neither of us said anything, just sat and waited until he looked up and saw himself on TV. At first, he didn't know what to think and just looked at me to explain. I said, "Yeah, look you're on TV". He realized it was showing what we all were doing when he saw me get up from my chair at the same time it showed on the big screen." Then he started to clown around and we all started to laugh and laugh,
It's the little things in life that are unforgettable. Please remember that and cherish each moment.
Every Friday night we all piled in the car and went to the drive-in movies. You could see car lights waiting in line as far as the eye could see which added to the excitement. Mom would make really delicious burritos and we brought sodas. Occasionally, dadi would give us money to go to the concession stand and let us pick out whatever we wanted.
Since there were five of us, the back seat was cramped so the smallest one would lay on the back seat ledge against the back window..
Children were admitted free. When my sister Marie turned 12 years old dad had her hide in the trunk to avoid paying full price. I think he must have gotten caught because I don't remember me having to hide in the truck. Thank God.
Back in the 1950s there was a wonderful sense of togetherness within families that is not seen today.
When mom and dad went to dances, the babysitter would let us set up a large tent in the living room as long as we put everything away and cleaned up after we were finished playing in the tent. We devised all kinds of ways to connect sheets to table legs, pinning to sofa, chairs, where ever we could make a connection. It had to be a big tent because there were five of us. Not once did our tents ever fall. We brought in our own snacks and Kool-Aid, pillows and blankets to lie on the floor. We left one side open so we could watch TV.
I was a very shy, introverted child. My only talent at the time was that I made very tasty treats and sandwiches. My brother, JR would always say, "me bite", he was 2 years younger. Of course, I gave him the sandwich to take a bite and he kept it from me until it was all gone. From that day forward whenever he asked me for a bite, I would say. "I only have enough for myself."
While dad was with us; I had to make three different types of meals, soft foods for dad, low carb, and no sugar added deserts for Michael, and different food for me, mostly vegetarian. With a back injury, I avoid read meats, sausages and chicken because they cause inflammation and I am allergic to NSAIDS.
Dad always thought my meal looked more appetizing than theirs, I guess because of bright colored vegetables. I would deliver Michael's tray, then dad. Every time I brought in my tray he would tease me and say "I only have enough for myself" and start to laugh.
As I mentioned in dad's life story, dad was an orphan. People do not realize what a lasting effect it has on a child. I went through dad's medical records from the nursing homes to make sure I was up-to-date.
It was very sad when I read, "Patient is sitting in corner of the room crying for his mama." That broke my heart.
Now, I realize why dad would always sing "Mamie" by Al Jolson.
I recently realized what a great gift dad gave me. He gave me the opportunity to know what it would be like to be a mother. I had three surgeries during my mid 20s because a physician did not remove all of a softball size cist and gradually the cist keep returning until all my female organs were gone.
I found out what it was like to stay up all night, change bedding every day due to incontinence, 12 loads of laundry a week, feed him, dress him, and hug him throughout the day so he would know he was loved. I also tucked him into bed at night and gave him a kiss on the forehead. Now, at 60, I no longer have to wonder what it is like to be a mother.
The cutest story was when dad first went to the hospice and palliative care unit at Wesley Long Hospital he was too weak to feed himself.
I asked dad if felt like eating anything on the tray, during this time he had almost stopped eating altogether.
He looked at the tray and he pointed to the chocolate pudding. I guess I wasn't feeding him his chocolate pudding fast enough. As soon as I took the spoon out of his mouth he would say, “More, more."
He looked so helpless; like a baby. The way he opened his mouth was like a baby bird.
This is one of the many special moments I will cherish for the rest of my life.
I pray that people would realize what a blessing, not a burden; it is to take care of a parent in their final days.
Never forget they took care of you as a baby. Believe me it is very rewarding and leaves you with comforting peace to know you help them through the stages of dying. God will bless you in many ways for what shouldn't be called a sacrifice.
God bless.
Back in the 50s, children weren't allowed to stay up past 8:00 pm. All of the TV shows we liked started about that time.
We lived in a 4 room home with an outhouse. There was no wall between the living area and mom/dad's bedroom. There was, however, a wall separating mom and dad's sleeping area with our bedroom. It was a small bedroom just big enough for a bunk bed and built-in closet/drawers, but it didn't have a door, just a fairly large opening to walk-through to the kitchen.
I'm giving you the layout of the house so I can explain 'TV and the Mirror."
We used to sleep on the far side of the bunk bed to avoid the light from the TV keeping us awake, mom and dad kept the sound low so we could sleep. One night we were playing around instead of sleeping and we realized we could see the TV image bouncing off the mirror in mom and dad’s bedroom area. We couldn’t hear the TV, but we didn’t care, we could use our imagination.
I can't remember how late we stayed up, but it was pretty late.
We always had to act like we weren't tired in the morning, otherwise, no more TV for us.
My brother, Eddie, lived at what the family called "The Ponderosa." Dad built his property into individual apartments of various sizes in the basement. Eddie lived in the original house at one time.
Both Eddie and dad kept hearing noises in the attic. It was pretty loud and sounded heavy. So, they decided to 'bite the bullet' and investigate. Dad's access to the attic was a ceiling pull-down ladder. Eddie went up the stairs first, but immediately came back down and told dad that there were several large raccoons up there. Eddie grabbed a shovel and dad grabbed his gun and both went up the stairs. The raccoons were very aggressive, standing on their hind legs and hissing. They looked ferocious. Eddie was fighting them off with a shovel, or least trying to, that did work, they weren't afraid. Dad jumped in and started shooting his gun wildly, he was scared and so was Eddie because he was dodging dad's bullets. Eddie was scared dad would accidently shoot him, but at the same time, he was cracking up laughing at dad.
'Poncho Villa' (dad) wasn't a very good shot. I don't remember how this story ended because Eddie would laugh so hard when he told the story.
I really didn't care that I didn't know how the story ended or what they did with the raccoons; I was cracking up laughing imagining dad up there in the attic shooting hap-hazarderly.
I remember dad telling me over the phone sometime after my parents divorced that he gave the house to mom and he bought a house, but it needed a lot of work. He had been living in a small studio.
At the time of his call he said, he had finished renovating the main house and had already rented it. He said he was making the basement into two different size apartments
Dad was always a joker, he said, "Right now, I ain't got a pot to piss in." He said he didn't have the plumbing done so he had to go down to the gas station to use their rest room and said he used the water hose outside to take a shower with cloths on, of course.
He could tell I was about ready to cry. All I could think of was all his work building his original 4 room house into a 13 room house with a garage to give shelter to his wife and children and now he ain't got a pot to piss in. He said, "Don't worry, I'll be alright."
It seems dad told me that more times than I can now remember. Dad had always risen to the occasion to whatever life presented. Now in his mid-50s, he was starting over. I told him I would come to Kansas City to see him soon.
When I drove up to the house, I thought, this is nice. The outside was white stucco that he did himself reminiscent of Mexico. His directions were to go to the back of the house where his basement apartment was located.
He said, "Come in." I could tell he was over-joyed to see me again, but it was hard to contain the lump in my throat and to keep the tears from falling. His little apartment was so dark and dusty. He had a living area, kitchen and a bathroom, but they were so small, especially the kitchen barely enough room to turn around.
I started to cry and he said, "What's wrong miha (endearment for my little girl). I told him I was so sad to see him living like this after all his hard work all his life. He looked very tired and sad, at the same time happy to see me again. And he said, "Don't worry, I'll be alright."
I wiped my eyes and smiled and I told him about Michael and my life so far, but my heart was breaking. We visited for a while and told him I would come to see him every day until I returned home to Michael.
I got in the car and I cried a river of tears, I couldn't stop. There was such a deep saddest within me that stayed with me for a long time.
It must have bothered dad so much that I was sad and crying, he decided to make the old building on his property into a good size living area for himself. He told me all about it on the phone as it progressed and sounded very happy when it was completed. It too was white stucco with white lattice on the screened in porches.
The back yard was fairly large. Dad built a fence around a portion of the back yard as there was a small stream. He then had Eddie pour concrete in the back yard to make parking spaces for himself and his tenants. The driveway sat between the main house and dad's new big apartment which had a flat roof. The driveway went downhill and dad had fallen more than once when there was snow or ice so he added additional off street parking that was level with the top of his apartment flat roof. He built white stucco walls around the parking area and added lattice on top to match the main house. It looked very cool. His property now looked so large and that's why we called it the "The Ponderosa." Later in years, we shortened the name to "The Pondi."
