Del Rio, Texas, Summer 2011 (July)~

Dear Journal~

Hola!  Como esta usted?

It's your amigo, Hildago Aguilar, writing.  I was married to my wife, Diane Renee', but she passed away from cancer six years ago, in 2005.  She was only in her forties when she died.  I miss her more than life itself; I still find myself not believing that she is gone or has been gone that long.  It seems like only yesterday ...

Diane left me, her esposo, and six children (Rico, Chico, Rosita, Humberto Hildago, Jr., Negra, and Magda) behind.  They miss their mami almost as much as me.  I hate to see them being so triste, but it is only by the Good God's help that we can make it rhough another day.

I finally got my disability pay.  I had been fighting for over five years for it, but I got it, thanks to the assistance of a lawyer-friend of mine.  I don't get nearly as much as I think I deserve, but it's better than not having it at all: at least I get something to be able to pay the bills!  And I also get a stipend check for the children we adopted, but all that goes to their needs; it's not our money.  That helps out some; we are struggling, like many families here in America, but we aren't nearly as bad off as a lot of them are.

I have back problems, sciatica, and other problems that made me have to quit working.  It's a pain, but at least I get to spend more time with my babies and our pets.  I love my kids and pets so much!

The weather is bad here: hot and awfully dry.  Fires to the north of us; sometimes one can see or smell the smoke in the air, especially if the wind blows.  It's scary; one of my worst fears is to lose our home/property to an out of control fire!  We pray for rain every day (that or cooler temperatures), but nothing seems to work.  It's very frustrating!  I am more than ready for fall to come!

Well, I have to run (not that I could, mind you ... LOL).  Negra, who is blind, accidentally walked into a tree, and her face is bleeding.  I hope she didn't poke her eye wih a branch.  She is crying.  I will have to pray that we don't have to take her to the Emergency Room; I hate dealing with the people there; they treat us so bad because we happen to be Mexicans and we are all looked down upon, even if we are legal citizens (like I am; I was BORN here in Texas)!  Pray it's nothing serious ...  thanks!

~Hildago.  :(