Memories of Caleb by Mia Lowry

It's hard to have lots of memories when you are so far away from the people you love, your family.

The first memory I have of Caleb was one Thanksgiving we had at my parent's old house (Sergio's house) and we were in the back room watching television and talking. My Mom, Suzie, Delia and I were in the room when all of a sudden little Caleb walked into the room holding an egg. He must have been really little because he still looked like a baby does or maybe he was a toddler. It was so long ago that I really can't remember for sure. I was surprised to see him holding an egg, but curious as to what he was going to do with it. I wondered if he got it out of the refrigerator himself or found it out on the table or something.

He noticed I saw him and proceeded to hid it under his shirt looking about him to verify if anyone else saw him. I laughed and looked around too, but everyone else was engaged in conversation. So, engrossed in their talk they had no idea he was there let alone he had just put a cold egg against his tummy. He started to walk out the door towards the backyard. I got nervous and thought I had better say something because I did not want to get yelled at for seeing this and keeping my mouth closed.

I turned to Delia and said, "Delia, why does your son have an egg under his shirt?"

"What?!" she said and started to look for him.

"He went outside with it." I told her as she began to run towards the door to take his item of mischief.

Caleb has a funny sense of humor. I told him a story once about how my brother's teased me and I believed them. He said, "That's your fault for believing them." ha, ha! I can't believe how much common sense this child had for one so young.

He is a big joker, but I guess it was inevitable for him being a Villanueva not to inherit this trait from at least one of his Tio's, not to mention that his father had the same gene too.

I can still see his anger and disappointment when he could not see his Grandfather in the hospital, but he got to say good-bye when Dad was transported to the Hospice of the Valley.

He played well with my children and they talked about him and his brothers for weeks.

One nice memory was of him playing the drums at his Tata's funeral. I know my father was watching and was happy to see him doing this act of service for him.

I am happy I have some memories of my nephew, Caleb, and I hope time will allow me to gain more memories of him. I love my nephew and am glad he came to be a part of our family.