August 8, 2011, Granbury, Texas~

Dear Journal~

Hola! Como esta usted?

It is me, your friend, Sixto Javiar Ortiz, writing.  I hope this finds y'all well.  Me, I am not doing well today:  I got sick at work; had to get off and come home early.  The heat got to me.  Got very dizzy and passed out, right there at McDonald's.  I was so embarrassed!

So my boss gave me a few days off so I can rest.  I guess I didn't drink or eat enough, so I got sick.  Not smart, Sixto, not smart AT all!  :/

My wife, she is taking very good care of me.  She is making sure I eat and drink plenty; she says she doesn't want me getting sick because that would mean no money.  I have to work to provide for the kids and my wife, y'know?  And with Paco's cerebral palsy and therapy/medical equipment costs; well, it isn't cheap!  

I am most happy to say that Paco is walking!  He is walking with two crutches strapped to his elbows; he is doing very good.  He is fast as a guepardo!  Hildaga and I are very proud of him!

Paco is four now, getting ready to go to big-boy's school.  He will start kindergarten in the fall.  He is very smart.  My nina, Ascencion, who is six, is getting ready to be in the first grade.  She is smart too.  They didn't get the smarts from me, their old man.  LOL  They both got the brains from my sweet Hildaga!

Life may be good for us, the Ortiz, but for many others, not so much.  The weather is very bad: dry and extremely hot.  Everything is dying; we haven't had a good rain since the middle of May: everything is turning brown and people and animals (not to mention, the plants, trees, and grass) are dying.  It is very bad.  It is no wonder I got sick today!

I am feeling a little better, but my stomach is still upset.  I am eating salted crackers and drinking ginger ale to settle my jumpy stomach; it's like I have a Mexican jumping bean right in the middle of my belly!  At least I'm not throwing up or dizzy any more ....  

Hildaga wants me to take it easy.  The boss-man has called several times to check up on me.  He is most worried as well.

I graduated from my ESL class!  I can now speak English just like any good American can.  Oh, speaking of, I am trying to get my citizenship papers!  I want to become a citizen of the United States of America!  I absolutely love it here; I wouldn't go back to live in Mexico for all the money in the world!  I have it good here, and so does mi familia!

The only way we would go to Mexico is to see my parentes, who are doing well.  I talk to them every week.  I know they miss me; well, I miss them, too!

Well, I'm gonna lie down; getting sleepy all of a sudden.  Sleep is very good for people when they are sick.  I will write in here again; sorry it's been a long time!  I still don't like writing that much, but maybe now that I know English better, it will come easier for me.  Take care and God bless!

~Sixto Ortiz.  :)