Aunt Dee's
Diary

Memories of the eldest daughter of a large Mexican-American family growing up in South Texas.

A story of love, struggle, poverty, heart, and endurance, written one anecdote at a time.

My life has always been dull, so to speak, but I figured my children might be interested in learning about their mother.

Delia (Dee) Zulema Villarreal Alvarado was born October 1, 1931. She was the oldest child of Simon Villarreal and his wife, Blanca Mondragon, in the small town of Mercedes, Texas, near the Mexico border. 12 more children would follow: Reynaldo, Arturo, Lucinda, Bertha, Ricardo, Jorge, Oscar, Blanca Alicia, Daniel, Maria Griselda, Alma Ruth and Teodulo.

In April of 1992, Dee was diagnosed with pancreatic and liver cancer and she was given 12 weeks to live. She survived for another 3 ½ years, passing away six days after her 64th birthday.

During her final year Dee began writing in a journal that she simply titled “I Remember…” The book is filled with 300 pages of stories and memories: some funny, some heartbreaking, some scary… but all enlightening.

Looking back at my life I can see how extremely blessed I have been throughout my life. To Our Heavenly Father, my thanks and gratitude.

This blog will focus on her memories of growing up with a big family in a small town. It's a beautiful glimpse into a time when playing in the dirt was your best entertainment, ice cream cones cost a nickel, and there was no joy greater than seeing your daddy come home after a hot day at work.

This is Aunt Dee’s Diary.

I remember...

This book is full of episodes in my life: Delia Zulema Villarreal Alvarado.

My life has always been dull so to speak – but figured my children might be interested in learning about their mother. Also, for them to know that their mother was a baby at one time, also a dumb little, homely girl. I was not born a mother as one of my children said one time.

Marco was asked “What is your mother’s name?” To which he answered, “Mommy.” When asked “which woman is your mother?” he said, “She’s not a woman, she’s not a girl, she is a mommy.” Also “What is your Daddy’s name?” Again, the reply, “His name is Daddy.” And asked, “What does your Daddy do?” His reply, “He is Superman.” He was 3 years old at the time and had gotten lost at the World’s Fair in Seattle, Washington.

Today, Sunday, October 16, 1994, I am 63 years old --- a miracle that 2 ½ years ago we did not think would ever happen.

I have been at death’s door so any times that Death just looks at me and says, “Oh! It’s you again – big deal, Delia. I have been expecting you so many times but you won’t stay. Also, God is not ready to receive you yet – so just hold on and better luck next time.”

Looking back at my life I can see how extremely blessed I have been throughout my life. To Our Heavenly Father my thanks and gratitude.

My life, as with everyone else’s life has been composed of many different vignettes, some fun, some serious, some sad, some blah – Thus, life is a kaleidoscope with its constant changing of brief episodes.

God certainly knew what He was doing when He made sure we started out as children on this life for we all need the daily living and experiences in order to grow and mature not only physically but morally and spiritually as well.

We the Villarreals have been extremely blessed in having had our kind hearted helpful and generous dad Simon. Also, our precious mother who gifted us with our spiritual, God fearing examples. None of us can live without our Heavenly Father Jehovah and His Son, Jesus Christ. They are a constant part of our life, just like living and breathing.

Dee's Story

Introduction

Reading a stranger’s memoirs is, to paraphrase comedian Steven Wright, like reminiscing with people you don’t know. It’s interesting, but it takes a little longer.

Trying to recap all of the amazing entries in Dee’s Diary would be a Herculean task and, honestly, I know a lot of people are not really interested enough to read all the way through.

This blog is not intended to be a complete recounting of every story, but to focus on her siblings and show what life was like in the small border town of Mercedes, Texas, in the first half of the 20th century.

Growing Up Poor and Hot

Dee has several stories about how she and her younger brothers dealt with boredom and the Texas summer heat. Many times it involved getting naked and playing in the dirt making mud pies. On a few occasions they decided to then go for a walk to the local barber shop. Mama Blanca gave her a spanking and Dee says it finally sank in, after the fourth time, that playing naked in the dirt wasn’t a good idea.

During The Great Depression (1929-1939) the 15+ kids in the neighborhood had to make their own toys or make use of what was around them. This included whittling guns and swords and bows and arrows… or climbing nearby trees to catch the cicadas and tie strings to their legs, then hold on as they tried to fly away.

There were also impromptu variety shows with songs, dancing, jokes and sketches, with everyone taking turns in the audience.

Going To School

Before Dee was old enough to enter public school she was taking classes from a neighbor who lived near the candy store. He taught the children about the alphabet, and reading and writing in Spanish… for 25-cents a month.

A few years later, while attending the “American” public school, Dee loaned her knit cap to a girl who was cold. The girl returned it to Dee, who unknowingly brought home a headful of lice that spread to her brothers. The main treatment at the time, kerosene, wasn’t enough. Mama Blanca had to shave Dee’s head and sent her to school for weeks with a scarf to cover her bald scalp.

The Growing Family

In her diary, Dee wrote about her first impressions of each of the 12 brothers and sisters over the years. You can read those entries below.

You may notice is she makes a lot of comments about their complexions.

In her diary she talks about feeling different from the family because of her darker skin. A family friend once joked it was because she was actually adopted from the Squash family… the only African-American family in town. Dee never believed it, but the taunting had an impact on her self esteem.

At The End

In the final pages of her book, Aunt Dee wrote about the multiple number of men who proposed to her throughout the years, including a pastor who vowed he would walk away from his ministry if she would just divorce her husband, Albert, and run away with him. Although her marriage to Albert was not what she wanted it to be she knew she couldn’t “get between God and His chosen servant.”

After she divorced Albert several other men proposed to her. One was an abuser, one wanted someone to care for him while he ‘sat on his butt in front of the TV smoking cigarettes.’ Another took her to El Paso and then across the border to get married, but after visiting a nightclub featuring underage girls stripping and he passed out drunk, she drove him back to his apartment and she vowed to live a brand new life “without men!!!”

The last proposal was from a man she had known when they were both stationed in Spain with the Air Force. She was friends with his wife and their family. He contacted her in April 1995 saying, “I just wanted to tell you now that my wife passed away, that I have carried you in my heart all these years.”

She responded, “Sergio, I cannot marry anyone for I have terminal cancer and have only a few months to live.”

Aunt Dee died on October 7, 1995. She was 64 years old.

Thanks to her diary, her stories, and those of her siblings, still bring laughter and tears more than 30 years later.

SIBLING STORIES

Reynaldo (#2)

Rey was blonde, blue eyed, cute little kid. Shy, quiet, sensitive, withdrawn, timid and self conscious, and extremely stubborn. Took after the Villarreal (Daddy's) side in looks and all.

He almost had a nervous breakdown in his second grade because Mrs. O'Haire, his teacher (and the principal's wife) was so mean to him and picked on him unmercifully. He would shake & cry at the least little thing. Bless his heart!

When it rained & thundered, he would run & hide under the bed. I used to hold him in my arms and feel his shaking body and pounding heart – comforting him and reassuring him that the thunder and lightning would not hurt him (and praying inside that I wasn’t lying.)

He always woke up at the crack of dawn and was up and about, while the rest of us were still asleep and wake up at the crack of noon only because we were forced to – ha!

He grew up to be a handsome man, easy going yet moody, keeping to himself – yet very loving and at the same time distant – quite a puzzle – my wonderful brother.

Lucy #4

Lucy was a lovely little girl as I previously stated – beautiful, pale, pale skin, curly blond hair, beautiful blue eyes that could look at you in a questioning way. She was mother’s little doll. She protected that child and catered to her ever whim. I did also, till I realized that Mom all but ignored me for her. I turned out to be my mother’s slave, cleaning, babysitting, washing diapers on the washboard and getting spanked if little Lucy cried because I wouldn’t carry her.

Looking back I can see that I was very jealous of that beautiful little girl – shame on me!

Later on it got worse, when we were older and she would cry every time it was her turn to wash dishes. As sisters are prone to do – I would yell at her, “It’s your turn to wash dishes!” She would burst out crying and run to mother telling her I was picking on her (which I was. Mom would enfold her in her arms and sooth her crying, “there, there my baby – everything will be alright!” Then Mom would turn to me and yell, “Zulema, you wash the dishes, you hear?” All the time Lucy would peek at me from mom’s arms and snicker. Boy! I sure didn’t like her then! I love her now, though.

Richard #6

Ricardo Simon was born right after we oved from the “wrong” side of the tracks to the “right” side of the tracks. Cute little baby with slanted eyes. Looked oriental. I used to tell him he was Japanese and he believed it at first, till Mom reminded me how I felt when I believed being Mr. Squash’s daughter – then I stopped teasing him about his Japanese eyes.

He was outgoing, happy and loving.

Years later he joined the army, married a lovely Korean girl named Pak Kyong Mi and the had a cute little girl named Edna.

Apparently he turned out to be a lousy husband, drinking and running around till they divorced. By then they had a son, Abner.

Afterwards he married a Puerto Rican girl named Aixa. He was converted and saved by the grace of Jesus and became a minister (before they married.)

I could not believe my eyes and ears when I saw him so completely changed, like night into day! God made a miracle happen! Thank God!

Oscar #8

Oscar! Dear, dear, Oscar! Was there any child like him – before or after? No! They broke the mold when he was created – thank goodness! Ha! Ha! He was a little tornado! A mischievous, rambunctious, hyperactive, excited little kid with his tousled silky blond hair blowing in the wind. You could hear his contagious laughter, hear his running bare feet and all of a sudden feel his arms around your neck and a wet kiss on your cheek! That was Oscar as a child. His cute dimples would give him away (even now) when he was telling a tall tale. A loving son and brother with deep sensitive feelings. He was (and is) always cleaning house, sweeping, mopping, washing dishes, and still makes delicious flower tortillas. Generous to a fault and always broke!

To this date (1984) he is still not married – but still looking. He is a perfectionist – thus – no woman has come up to his expectations.

Daniel Ramiro #10

Danny, good looking baby, chubby, light complected, soft brown eyes, contagious smile, sweet, easy going but stubborn. He had so any brothers and sisters to look after him, plus countless neighborhood kids. Everyone carried him around and loved him — it’s a wonder that kid ever learned to walk on his own two feet!

He tagged along anyone and everyone wanting to know what was going on and never really finding out cause he was tagging after somebody else.

Good looking young man and well liked at school. The girls were crazy about him and if he did not know what to do with them – he was willing and eager to learn, ha!

Loving and respectful son, loving brother.

Married a beautiful local girl named Marcelina “Margie” Sauceda. They have 2 handsome sons: Carlos Rene and Orlando Simon.

Alma Ruth #12

Loveable, chubby, cuddley, exuberant, great personality and crazy with a capital “C” – that’s Alma!

Everyone loves her and she loves everyone, especially if it’s a man!

Did not ever utter a word for 3 years – didn’t have to – all she had to do was point to it and she got it. Mom worried that something was wrong with her because she did not talk. (Mom should’ve counted her blessings – for now Alma never shuts up! Ha!)

Breezed through school – didn’t learn anything --- but she breezed through it anyway. All the boys were crazy about her and she left them breathless. Grew up to be a beautiful young lady, exuberant, full of live and laughter.

Arturo (#3)

Art was a cute, chubby little kid. Light complected, pnk rosy cheeks, light brown hair, big brown eyes.

Very active, rambunctious, full of life & energy and a quick temper.

I used to hate him cause he was a little tattletale & used ot spill the beans on us all the time. I felt like wringing his neck!!

He was not afraid of anything or anyone. Would jump into anything without hesitation. He was (and is) very open in his affection and clowns all the time. Very loving and God-fearing. Smart as a whip and studious.

He was always criticizing Lucy & me for being fat and he used to say “He” would never let himself get fat – ha! (Hey, Art! How many scales have you broken lately? – Ha!)

He married a lovely, red-headed German girl named Ingrid and they have two beautiful daughters.

Art turned out to be a kind hearted, understanding, warm Christian man.

Bertie #5

Bertie – “my baby.” Cute, dark complected (like me), curly et black ringlets all over her head, cuddley, sweet, sweet baby!

I was eleven years old when she was born. Older and taking more responsibility being the first born (or Oldest) as Bertie teases. I took full responsibility for her, since Mom was still engrossed on “her” baby Lucy. Well, Bertie was “My” Baby!

Bertie turned out to be the leader and Lucy, 2 years older, the follower.

She was a sweet, obedient and loving little girl and overly protective of her loving sister Lucy.

She turned out to be a great cook, loving wife and other. A great friend, excellent sister and true Christian.

She married a man who adores her, named Charles Upchurch. They had 2 beautiful daughters and a handsome son.

Jorge Luis #7

By the time Jorge came around we were running out of names. We all suggested different names. Mom wanted to name him Sergio, others had their suggestions and I liked Jorge Luis. So we drew slips of paper with different names and drew out a slip of paper from a hat. So Jorge Luis came out of the hat. I am the one that wrote the names on the slips of paper. So – I cheated – ALL the papers had Jorge Luis on them!

He turned out to be a sweet, wonderful, quiet, kindhearted young man. AND – good looking! Ah! He was a hunk!! Looked like a movie star! Tall, light complected, brown hair and big, beautiful (bedroom) eyes! All the girls went ape—over him! He was painfully shy and insecure – thus he never played his good loos to their full potential with the girls.

He was a kind, obedient and loving son and brother. He married a minister’s daughter, and they had a pair of twin girls (of whom one died.) Later they had a son, Evan. His wife’s name: Patricia.

Alicia #9

Ali, our sweet little Ali! Oriental looking (like Richard) lovely, curly dark hair, that became straight as she grew up, then curly again in her teens. Quiet, reserved, self-conscious, timid, extremely sensitive, with a faulty faucet in her tear ducts – Otherwise, how else to explain her easy, easy tears? She cried when she was happy, cried when she was sad, cried when someone else told her a happy, sad, terrible or whatever story. Very, very loving with everyone, loving sister and loving daughter. Worries about everyone, man, woman, child, animal, or plant – everyone, that is, except herself.

She was born (apparently) with a deep faith and trust in God. Generous in everything and helpful towards everyone. Not much for book learning or staying put in an one job – yet still calm, cool and collected on the outside and hurting in the inside for everyone else.

Thoughtful and great memory about who was born when. While I have to write everything down to remember (being such a scatter brain) she has it all in her head.

Married at the age of 30 then divorced 4 years later. No children. Yet, she adores children (and they her) and has an inexhaustible supply of patience with children and elderly people.

Maria Griselda #11

Kris, born three months after my own first born – thus my son (her uncle) is 3 months older than her.

Dainty, pale, pale skinned baby, light blondish brown hair, beautiful face. Looked like a very delicate Dresden doll, fragile as a flower, and just as sweet.

Tagged after my son, he toddling around, she crawling after him. He “looked” after her and “washed” her face with water from the commode. Then splashed water on her head then combed her hair every which way with whatever comb or brush he could find.

Grew up to be a beautiful girl. Got into the cover girl pageant circuit – wone the cover girl contest in 1974. By then, our precious Dad was deceased.

Something must’ve happened to make her go haywire for she made life extremely difficult for herself and whose who loved her the most – especially Mom.

Teodulo Nadene #13

Teddy! Dady’s long awaited son to name “Teodulo”. Dad had always loved that name and kept wanting to give that name to one of his sons.

Teddy – bless his heart – being the last child did not get to know Dad the way the rest of us did. Dad spent every spare moment he could with his baby boy, hugging, kissing, carrying him. Dad was so proud of Teddy and would walk to the little league games to watch his little son play – rooting for him and booing the umpire!! By then, our precious Dad was ill and could not work – he knew his days were numbered so he tried to cram all the love and understanding and comfort on his young son. He worried about his son’s upbringing once he was gone.

My sister Lucy and her husband Tom took Teddy into their hearts and home after Dad passed on. Teddy was eleven years old.

Dad would be so very proud of his handsome young son. Well mannered, Christian, well educated, independent – thanks to Tom & Lucy. He mastered the guitar on his own and is a good singer and musician.

FUNNY MEMORIES

My Nude Life Part 3

Babysitting Rey. Mamá Blanca and baby Art asleep (siesta time.)

Going outside. Playing in the dirt again and eating it. Off came the clothes. We soon tired of playing. I looked towards Concha’s house to ask for tortillas and beans.

However, after thinking it over, decided against it, as she might call Mom again. Looked toward Main Street – so decided to go that way instead. I held Rey’s little hand and we walked to the sidewalk to see the people and cars passing by. (Thinking back – I supposed they looked back at the two naked, grimey kids – ha!)

We walked to the barber shop. Being Saturday afternoon it was full of men. Ismael and Lisandro Solis were bus cutting hair. We walked in and I carried Rey and sat him on the bench next to some men and proceeded to sit next to my brother and watched the barbers at work. They told us we were naked and again I wondered how they knew that.

A hasty call to Mom, since we refused to leave. She yanking us out of there and the inevitable spanking and bath!

The Garcia Store

We had a grocery store at the end of the alley facing Hidalgo Street. It was owned by Mr. Abel Garcia and his brother, Antonio.

Mom used to send me there to buy some shortening which they would dip out of a big, tin barrel and put it on butcher paper and weigh however much we wanted to buy.

Coffee was freshly ground from coffee beans and sold for 8-cents a pound. One pound of boiled ham sold for 10-cents. Potatoes were 3-cents a pound.

Cookies were kept at the entrance to the store in glass front boxes set at an angle enticing us as we came in. They sold for 3-cents a pound.

My friends used to open the door to a box, grab a cookie and pop it in their mouth. It was so easy and I did not have the guts to do it.

One day I did and was surprised at how easy it was. Next time I ate one in the store while shopping for Mom, then took another one while walking out. Since no one ever said anything to me, I figured it was O.K. to do it. Next time I got a small bag and got 6 cookies, 2 for Rey, 2 for Art, and 2 for me. I was caught red-handed, though I did tell them why I was doing it. I never again stole cookies.