Email this page  Print this page  del.icio.us  digg

La Familia

Our family is often strewn across the country, yet somehow we are connected by a invisible, powerful bond that transcends time and place.

"The family is one of nature's masterpieces."
- George Santayana

Last month our home was the host site of a reunion of my parents, brothers, sisters, nephews and nieces to celebrate my sister's 50th birthday.

Ours is a family strewn across the country by opportunity and circumstance. It often seems impossible to find a time when we can all gather in one place, yet somehow we are connected by a invisible, powerful bond that transcends time and place. After a weekend of reflective walks and raucous laughter, joyful tears and incessant chatter, merciless teasing and heated political debates, too much to eat and probably too much to drink, forgotten hurts and remembered family legends - it was time to part ways again.

Off to New York, Chicago, and L.A., everyone scattered. In the suddenly quiet family room I asked my 17-year-old daughter, Christina, what she made of the chaotic weekend.

After a pause, she reflected, "You know, Dad, it is kind of strange. I don't see your family very often, but when we get together it seems like we never have left each other. It is so easy to talk to everyone, like I just saw them yesterday."

Her thoughts matched my own experience. What is it that makes a family bond so unique? Is it cultural, biological or psychological? Is there a special Latino version of this bond or is it more universal?

I don't know the answers to those questions. In the end it doesn't really matter because it is real. In this month's pages you will find this family bond showing up repeatedly, making a difference in people's lives.

In our cover story, Keith Rosenblum recounts some of the varied histories of the families that made up the original Tucson - surprisingly, many with Anglo sounding surnames. He also offers some tips on how to research and track your own family ancestry by accessing the Arizona Historical Society.

Anita Mabante Leach asks, "Do all Latino families travel in packs or is it a stereotype." An ASU sociologist weighs in and dismisses it as a romantic cliché while others look to their own family herd experience as less a myth and more just a fun way to get things done.

Political candidate Israel Torres shares with Angela Rabago Mussi about his early years, the loss of his father when he was only six, and the critical role his mother and grandparents played in helping him set his sails. Torres' drive and ambition have made him one of the fastest rising young Latinos in the southwest.

Catherine Anaya revisits the strength of a mother who finally succumbed to leukemia after a valiant fight, a woman who leaves not only a young son, but a legacy to raise awareness of the importance of being a donor.

With encouragement from his mother and expertise from his grandfather, Xavier Yxayotl learned to blend the old with the new while resurrecting ancient indigenous Indian music that was banned more than 300 years ago. Coty Dolores Miranda reports on this intense and deeply spiritual musical genre.

This month we also honor our heroic and sometimes shattered veterans. Multiple generations of wartime vets have experienced many similar demons, but their welcome home by fellow citizens has been widely varied. Still, most depend on the support of their families to recover from the trauma of combat.

From the world of sports, Goodyear resident Greg Gonzales shares tales of his super athlete uncle, Pancho Gonzales, who was breaking professional tennis's stodgy race barriers decades before Arthur Ashe. This warrior of the court also called upon a family tradition of fierce determination.

Speaking of fierce determination, this is also the season to brave the malls and find that perfect gift for those family members who have treated you so nice this past year. To simplify matters for you, we include our annual Latino gift guide and also offer a closer look at the latest electronics gadgets. For the more traditional Luddites and technophobes we have a lineup of great books for the reader on your list.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Latino Perspectives and know that after the din from Turkey Day dining diminishes you will remember something special happens when family comes together.