Letters from Cousin David Medel
By David Medel © For the Diaz Observer, July 2001
While searching through my old inbox mail on American On-line I stumbled across a nice e-mail from Cousin David Medel from 2001, which shows his excitment for the upcoming reunion. I thought I would share it with everyone because it really shows David having “the spirit” for the upcoming 4th Diaz Family Reunion. —Editor
Hello Primo; Sorry it took so long to reply to your request. I would be very happy to write about “What it is like being away from home” and “Growing up with the cousins.” I need a deadline for the article. I hope it’s not to late. Please send the time frame
I do remember writing Uncle Joe after Tia Odelia passed, and I remember what it was for, but I cannot recall what I wrote.
I would be very interested in seeing my thoughts way back then. (hint hint).
I do remember Uncle Joe very well. I remember the way he carried himself. To me he had an aura about him that made me feel admiration for him. He always smiled. He always made me feel comfortable. Everytime I would see him he would always put his hand on my shoulder and would say “how are you doing mi hijo.” I remember taking trips with Uncle Joe and Uncle Fred. On one occasion we almost had an accident that could have taken our lives.
But that’s another story.
I’m all excited about the reunion, and can’t wait for the event. Blue, Julian and Ruben are also very excited. My vacation starts the 20th of July and ends on the 31st. So let the good times roll.
I always enjoy reading The Diaz Observer and miss them very much. The articles are always very interesting and full of thoughts that make the reader laugh and think about how much we as a big family have a fulfilling past and future.
Well primo, Ihave to get to work, I get on this thing and get carried away. Reply soon. There are so many thoughts and past happenings that one could never write them all in one day. Tell everyone I said hi and see them soon.
David Medel
GROWING UP WITH THE COUSINS
No one can imagine the joy of having such a large family. Each of us in some way has touched each other's lives. The joy we've shared will be remembered throughout our lifetime and beyond. We have encountered happiness, sadness and anger, yet we always manage to put differences aside and enjoy what God has given us: OUR FAMILY.
I'll never forget some of the events that brought us together.
Work
Oh, how we all dreaded that word. "Work."
I can still visualize everyone saying, "Aw, Dad, do we have to?" Little did we know at the time that this is what really brings a family together.
I remember the best times were when we went to pick cherries. You take a big family like the Medels and Strickers, spice it up with Uncle Steve's family, add visits from Uncle Fred and from Uncle Ralph's family, and drop the whole bunch in Traverse City and you have the ingredients for one heck of a time.
Clicking
I remember how all the boys would hang out together according to age group. If you tried to hang out with the older guys, they would always try to run away from you.
If any of you get a chance at the reunion, ask Ronnie Medel about what happened when he tried to hang with Tony Jr., Frank Medel, Joe Stricker and Tony Medel. ("Attack of the Bumble Bees!") Yes sir, there was a lot of laughter.
Dangerous Waters
One Sunday, Dad took Jim Sticker, Art Díaz, and me fishing. We all looked forward to going fishing. (I guess it's one of those boy things). Anyway, Art was wading in the water. (This is a technique used when you can't get your line out far enough. We always thought that the fish were always on the other side of the lake: the closer you are to the middle, the closer you can throw your line to the other side where the fish are. Umm, hmm. Right. Okay, back to the story).
So, Art was going out deeper into the lake when all of a sudden we heard this loud scream followed by, "Uncle Willy, HELP!" We all turned in time to see skinny Art defy the laws of physics and run on top of water. I swear, he had to have broken a track record by covering thirty feet in two seconds. He had the biggest blood sucker on his ankle that I ever saw – it had to be two feet long. (Okay, at least it looked that big way back then, and Art will probably attest to that).
I never realized that he had such talent for dancing, but when he got back on land he demonstrated his talents. I never did find out what he called that dance.
Anyway, you should have heard Dad laughing and he ended up taking the blood sucker off Art's leg and using it for bait. Aside from a bad case of the "willies," there was no harm done to poor Art. Jim and I sort of looked at him with awe for surviving such an encounter. After that I don't believe there was anymore wading in the water for the rest of the fishing trip.
The Gang in
"The Good Ol' Days"
That's what it was like growing up with the cousins, you never knew what the next day was going to hold for you. There was always something happening and if there wasn't, we made it happen. The good thing about having so many cousins is that we tend to remember all the fun things, which is the best way to be.
I remember looking at my older cousins and brothers with envy. They were so handsome. Also, how pretty all my sisters and primas were. How crazy Rosie Orozco was. How much fun Jim Stricker and I used to have. How much fun tomboy Cathy Díaz was. Oh, boy, "the good ol' days."
Well, I have spent a good part of my morning putting my thoughts into words, and somehow I feel that I haven't said enough. I guess it will have to do. I can't wait for the reunion to see everyone once again. See everybody soon ... Love David Medel
Hello Primo; Sorry it took so long to reply to your request. I would be very happy to write about “What it is like being away from home” and “Growing up with the cousins.” I need a deadline for the article. I hope it’s not to late. Please send the time frame
I do remember writing Uncle Joe after Tia Odelia passed, and I remember what it was for, but I cannot recall what I wrote.
I would be very interested in seeing my thoughts way back then. (hint hint).
I do remember Uncle Joe very well. I remember the way he carried himself. To me he had an aura about him that made me feel admiration for him. He always smiled. He always made me feel comfortable. Everytime I would see him he would always put his hand on my shoulder and would say “how are you doing mi hijo.” I remember taking trips with Uncle Joe and Uncle Fred. On one occasion we almost had an accident that could have taken our lives.
But that’s another story.
I’m all excited about the reunion, and can’t wait for the event. Blue, Julian and Ruben are also very excited. My vacation starts the 20th of July and ends on the 31st. So let the good times roll.
I always enjoy reading The Diaz Observer and miss them very much. The articles are always very interesting and full of thoughts that make the reader laugh and think about how much we as a big family have a fulfilling past and future.
Well primo, Ihave to get to work, I get on this thing and get carried away. Reply soon. There are so many thoughts and past happenings that one could never write them all in one day. Tell everyone I said hi and see them soon.
David Medel
GROWING UP WITH THE COUSINS
No one can imagine the joy of having such a large family. Each of us in some way has touched each other's lives. The joy we've shared will be remembered throughout our lifetime and beyond. We have encountered happiness, sadness and anger, yet we always manage to put differences aside and enjoy what God has given us: OUR FAMILY.
I'll never forget some of the events that brought us together.
Work
Oh, how we all dreaded that word. "Work."
I can still visualize everyone saying, "Aw, Dad, do we have to?" Little did we know at the time that this is what really brings a family together.
I remember the best times were when we went to pick cherries. You take a big family like the Medels and Strickers, spice it up with Uncle Steve's family, add visits from Uncle Fred and from Uncle Ralph's family, and drop the whole bunch in Traverse City and you have the ingredients for one heck of a time.
Clicking
I remember how all the boys would hang out together according to age group. If you tried to hang out with the older guys, they would always try to run away from you.
If any of you get a chance at the reunion, ask Ronnie Medel about what happened when he tried to hang with Tony Jr., Frank Medel, Joe Stricker and Tony Medel. ("Attack of the Bumble Bees!") Yes sir, there was a lot of laughter.
Dangerous Waters
One Sunday, Dad took Jim Sticker, Art Díaz, and me fishing. We all looked forward to going fishing. (I guess it's one of those boy things). Anyway, Art was wading in the water. (This is a technique used when you can't get your line out far enough. We always thought that the fish were always on the other side of the lake: the closer you are to the middle, the closer you can throw your line to the other side where the fish are. Umm, hmm. Right. Okay, back to the story).
So, Art was going out deeper into the lake when all of a sudden we heard this loud scream followed by, "Uncle Willy, HELP!" We all turned in time to see skinny Art defy the laws of physics and run on top of water. I swear, he had to have broken a track record by covering thirty feet in two seconds. He had the biggest blood sucker on his ankle that I ever saw – it had to be two feet long. (Okay, at least it looked that big way back then, and Art will probably attest to that).
I never realized that he had such talent for dancing, but when he got back on land he demonstrated his talents. I never did find out what he called that dance.
Anyway, you should have heard Dad laughing and he ended up taking the blood sucker off Art's leg and using it for bait. Aside from a bad case of the "willies," there was no harm done to poor Art. Jim and I sort of looked at him with awe for surviving such an encounter. After that I don't believe there was anymore wading in the water for the rest of the fishing trip.
The Gang in
"The Good Ol' Days"
That's what it was like growing up with the cousins, you never knew what the next day was going to hold for you. There was always something happening and if there wasn't, we made it happen. The good thing about having so many cousins is that we tend to remember all the fun things, which is the best way to be.
I remember looking at my older cousins and brothers with envy. They were so handsome. Also, how pretty all my sisters and primas were. How crazy Rosie Orozco was. How much fun Jim Stricker and I used to have. How much fun tomboy Cathy Díaz was. Oh, boy, "the good ol' days."
Well, I have spent a good part of my morning putting my thoughts into words, and somehow I feel that I haven't said enough. I guess it will have to do. I can't wait for the reunion to see everyone once again. See everybody soon ... Love David Medel
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Odelia Diaz with Godson Ronnie Medel