First Sons

The family waited almost 15 years for his arrival, from 1941 to 1955. During those years, the birth of four daughters were reminders of the loss of Carlitos, who was born on the ranch. The ranch was called "Las Norias" and was owned by our grandfather, Luis Gonsalez. It was located about 20 miles from Francisco Madero, a tiny, charming pueblito, a day's ride from the capital city of Durango. Mom told me that Carlitos (full name: Carlos Hector Ezequiel Gonsalez) was a very beautiful baby, chubby, fair complexion, blue eyes, with reddish-brown hair. He also had very long eyelashes. Our dad affectionately gave him the nickname, "Temujen", the baby name of the heroe-warrior Genghis Kahn. A midwife delivered him on April 9, 1941, but during his short life of 7 months, he contracted pneumonia from a cold. By November 3, with no medicine, or a hospital nearby, my mother prayed and cried for him to improve even though a doctor did see him. But, he was called to be a baby angel and he expired in her arms with a ragged little breath. She was almost 17, but broken, as Dad said he never heard her sing again like she used to. He told me he buried this first, little son in Francisco Madero's cemetary, by himself with the heaviest heart. Anytime I asked about him, a dark cloud would descend his face and sometimes I could feel the pain.

But as time went by, on August 29, 1955, very late at night around one in the morning, the long-awaited son of my father's dreams was born. And what a beautiful, angelic-looking, green-eyed baby he was! Even though the last daughter received the name of Josephine, it was not by accident that Joseph Bernardo Garcia was named after his father and maternal grandfather. This very special boy, the son of a former rancher/cowboy, was living proof of a new generation in a new country. Him being the only boy after so many years, with a more mature mother (who was 31 years old now) was doted on and everyone would listen to what he felt or said. This was because he was the boy, the one who was resurrected and could make life seem right again.

I remember being little and always watching out for him, as he was curious about everything and afraid of nothing. Joe was so very loved, but sometimes the expectations that were put upon him were too unrealistic and he would rebel. I really love and greatly miss my brother Joe as he was truly a gift. He was one of the most generous people, and he had deep feelings about what was important. The fact that he saved a stranger's life, and risked himself to step in and take a pistol away from a criminal who was hurting an old man. This is the kind of thing I knew about him and his character.