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Miracle Story
When my brother Gerardo died 20 years ago my life changed forever. The circumstances of his death were very difficult. When his body was found he was buried without his mother, brothers or sister present.
My tears were a constant reminder that I had not found peace throughout all these years. I never had the opportunity to say goodbye, to touch a casket-- something that would bring me true healing.
My greatest hope has been in Gerry's children. When he married his wife Jenny, they had two beautiful children: Jenina and David, who are now 29 and 20 years old respectively.
But there was another child. Over 33 years ago, when He was a teenager, Gerry's girlfriend Carmen, gave him a beautiful daughter they named Priscilla.
When we came to meet her soon after her birth I was not able to hold Priscilla in my arms. What I do remember was her little arm showing under the blanket as her mother held her on that porch in L.A. long ago.
Over all these years we have wondered where Priscilla was or if she was alive and well. After Gerry's death we further intensified our search for her. But no matter where we looked she seemed to simply disappear into the vast millions of inhabitants that make up the Los Angeles landscape.
One night my daughter Angelica came to me saying she had found a "Priscilla Gonzalez" on MySpace. When she showed me the picture of the young lady I froze. She looked exactly like Jenina! I asked Angie to write to her and tell her we have been looking for a Priscilla Gonzalez, the daughter of Gerardo, AKA, Lil Bosco of "East Side Clover." The next day Angie recieved a MySpace message saying, "Yes he is my father and this is my cell number..." Our hearts trembled with anticipation!
As Angie and I talked to her that night by phone I wept for joy as I heard the voice of my brother's little girl, now almost 34 years old. She told us of her six children and we told her of her father and linked her to pictures of him.
Three days later I found myself in Los Angeles taking Jenina and David the 20 minute drive from their house to meet their sister Priscilla for the first time. Holding my cellphone camera, I recorded the very moment we met at Priscilla's house.
To hold my brother's three children and play with his six grand children was one of the greatest miracles of my entire life. I now can say that healing has come.
The true meaning of, "rest in peace" is now a part of my life. Gerry has been resting gently in his tomb for many years now-- it is I who needed peace. God has been merciful in bringing this family together.
Thank you Lord and thank you Angie. I see Gerry in their eyes and hear him in their laughter. I know that if he were here, he would be so proud of them. I will care for them and love them as if they were my own. This is truly a miracle... |
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