"Here is your Dad's Rosary, that you gave him. It was his favorite."

Dad,

Here is the rosary I bought you in San Antonio, Texas when we went together to see the Alamo. Do you remember? You told me so much about the Alamo. We went to most of the missions and looked at them all. Dad, I really enjoyed the time we had together there. Our interests are so much the same.

I know you used this rosary so much. Mom told me "Here is your Dad's rosary that you gave him in Texas, it was his favorite." I feel you close to me when I use it Dad. I can see the beads where they are worn down from your fingers. I am so happy I have your rosary, Dad. I am sorry I can not visit you in your home and pray your rosary in the kitchen with you. Your daughters do not realize the many meanings a son and father have after he is gone. The last time we said the rosary together was in the kitchen, do you remember? You lead us in the rosary. It was so beautiful they way you said it. You dedicated the rosary to Ti and I do not why? Mom was with us too, the three of us.

Forever Your loving Son,
Chendo

Do Not Cry....

Dad,

I try not to cry, but I miss you so much. You were the light that lit up my life, I realize that now more than ever Dad. Nothing seems to fill that emptiness, Dad. Your day when you were called is coming up and I will remember you Dad with respect.

I miss you so much Dad.....if I could have only one more minute with you.

Forever your loving Son,
Chendo

Mr. Rosendo I. Terronez

Dad's Last Poem

Dad,

You talk about fishing, fishing for things that you want in life. And for those who fish who dont pray to our Lord first will not get what they want. They come back empty handed, no fish. Yes, we must ask and pray. Having faith in the Lord. You had so much Faith, Dad. All you went through, losing your mother and father, but you still did not lose your faith. Not all in the family follow this path Dad. They lose something and lost their faith. Of course, that is the road they choose to follow. It is the road they followed in the past and they continue to follow to this day.

I see you struggled to write this poem with your sickness and the heavy medication you were on. Your handwriting is so different. But you had faith and you got it down on paper. It is my job to publish your poem so that all can hear your voice, not all will listen.

Forever your loving son,
Chendo

My Dad loved the Virgin de Guadalupe. He made several trips to Mexico to visit the Basilicas. I am very fortunate to accompany him on his trips. I have many fond memories of our trips. He would always mention in his letters about praying to the Virgin for protection. I dedicate this blog to the Virgin and my Dad.



In all his letters he always wrote "Your Loving Father"...here is a Rose for you Dad. A rose grown in my garden an held by your military soldier, Lt. Lyle Bushong.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Basilica in Mexico City

Dad and I visited this basilica. It is the newer of the two churches. Years ago in the 60's we visited the older basilica. Inside the church is the original mantle of the Virgin. Dad loved visiting the church. He felt so good being there in the temple of Mary. We walked all over the grounds of the complex.

Dad and I visited Cristo Rey in Guanajuato

Our family relatives in Leon, took us to Cristo Rey. It was a beautiful church on a mountain top. I remember we ran out of gas going up the mountain. No one stressed out, people brought us gas so we could make it to the top. I remember Dad loved it there. He sat and prayed and then we went out to the ledge to look over the valley. He said if I looked hard enough I would see the sign of the cross in the valley. I hope to make a return trip someday to this church.

Dad's beginnings...

Dad's life began in a boxcar in the Silvis yards. He life would take him to a dirt street called 2nd Street, then to the Barrio de San Miguel, Leon, Gto, then to Laredo, Mexico where he lost his mother during childbirth, then back to Silvis to live with his Aunt Mary Sierra on 1st Ave., then living in various homes until he married Cecelia Gamino. They lived in his father in law's house, Seferino Gamino, until they moved to our home, 143-6th St., in Silvis.




Boxcar House similar to the birthplace for Mom and Dad. Boxcar numbers are listed on birth certificate. Dads was Boxcar no. 4. This is the birthplace of our family, in a boxcar in the Silvis RR Yards in 1925. Boxcars were made of wood, not metal like modern day boxcars. They were very cold and usually had a pot belly stove in them for heat. Children would pick up coal along the side of the tracks for the stoves. Nina Vic and I walked one day back in the yards, looking for anything remaining. It was very cold and she was all bundled up. She was looking for anything that remained her of her past. In 1929, Grandpa Pedro and Grandma Juana moved out of the yards to a cement block house on 2nd Street, Silvis. I have photos of it. It no longer exists. It was directly across the Hero Street Park.

Dad's Baby Picture

It is amazing this photograph even exists. Taken in 1926 in the Silvis Yards with a camera. Cameras were extremely rare in the yards. Usually only hired photographers had them to photograph big social events. It is also amazing that it has survived all these years, including trips to Mexico and back. This small baby made such an impact on our lives, our father.

Dad's Mother, Juana Terrones and Father, Pedro Terrones

Dad's parents immigrated from Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico in 1917. They found work and housing in the Silvis Rock Island Yards. They were involved in the development of the mexican community, moving to 2nd Street, now Hero Street, USA. They built the only cement block house on 2nd street. In 1929, they and all their American born children were deported back to Mexico during the depression. Grandpa Pedro sold his house and loaded a Model T and drove back to Leon, Mexico.

Dad, Ray and I went looking for Grandpa in Laredo, Mexico in the '60's. We looked and looked for him. We finally parked the car and waited. Here comes down the street an old mexican man with his cart and donkey. Dad said "there's my Dad". It was a wonderful reunion after all these years. We stayed with him for several days in Leon, Gto. a time I will never forget. A time with my Dad.

Dad and I visited Leon, Gto and saw these sites.

Trips to Leon, Gto. with Dad and Aunt Marie

I was so lucky to go with Aunt Marie and Dad to Leon, Gto. to visit relatives there. Dad always told me to maintain contact with relatives there. He wanted this maintained so we would not lose our connection with the past. He wrote to his Aunt Lucita Zermeno his entire life. We went and visited her many times. I have all these memories of the good times we had down in Mexico. I will never forget them Dad.

Brother and Sister Couple

Dad, Mom, Aunt Marie and Uncle Hank. Aunt Marie loved my Dad very much. She said the best brother anyone could ever have.

Dad's Homemade Christmas Card from the Family

A beautiful Christmas Card from Mom and Dad to me, he includes all his children. It is in his very own handwriting.

Dad's Growing Family

We had to have the TV come out in the picture. We were so proud we had one.

Dad in High School

Dad's Ob

Dad was an avid reader..

I picture him always like this...reading. He was a much better reader than I. He could finish a book in a couple of days. He would say "Son, you gotta read this book".