1990 - A Year of Family and War
In which Teófilo remembers the first meeting with his younger half-siblings and of the start of the First Gulf War.
I met my Father’s family, and they were mine.
The principal highlight of the year 1990 was that I got to meet my father at his home in Florida. I also got to meet my younger half-siblings for the first time: Arsenio Jr., Luana, and Diana. I also met my stepmother, María, and all my nieces and nephews born by then.
I packed Mercie, Chris, and her sister Vanny who was staying with us into the Fairmont, and drove to Deltona. Deltona is about an hour out of Orlando on I-4 toward its bigger sister city, Daytona. It’s also known as “Little Puerto Rico.”
We drove through the American south, no A/C in the car and the windows wide open. We had to stop Lafayette, Louisiana because of a raging, blinding, loud thunderstorm. Those were the days one drove out without checking the weather before hand, or caring much about it.
I don't remember very well what happened at our arrival. I do remember we sat in the living room where they all appraised my looks and similarities. I felt accepted right away, and appreciated how much I was alike to them. I meshed with them at that instant.
Arsenio and Luana were my younger contemporaries, firm Gen-X'ers. Diana was my Dad's daughter of his old age. Three months older than my Chris, she was bound to grow a firm, cultural Millenial.
It was a happy time for all us.
We made it back and the Fairmont gave us no trouble. Again with the windows wide open, nature's age cooled us. My Mercie and I took turns driven back to San Antonio. In true Southern fashion, we took turns at putting our feet out through the window. That felt so nice. Chris slept for much of the trip forth, and back.
I was happy. I had found my family and no one was going to cut me off from them, ever.
The Gulf War Starts
I was sitting on my Dad's living room when the First Gulf War started: Saddam Hussein had invaded Kuwait. "We won't do anything about it" Dad said. "I dunno" - I replied. "It involves oil."
Operation Desert Shield started soon afterwards. It didn't affect me, but I watched others of my generation ship to Saudi Arabia. Our long cycle of involvemenst in Middle Eastern wars had begun. I would get caught on, later…
Bonus Video
Selena was at zenit back in 1990’s.