I was Born...

I was born at 9:45am on Feb.23, 1943, in Devine, Tx.

There to receive me, with my Mom, were: my Grandpa & Grandma, my Aunt Concha and Dr. Woods, at home...surrounded by my Loving Family.
My Mom was not married. My Grandpa did not approve of my Biological father so he was not included.

My Mom was very naive, as were most women of our culture in those days, so she was expecting a Cesarean delivery. That's all she had known since she had been working with an Anglo family, as a Nanny, and her employer only had Cesarean births. She had not been present at any of her siblings births. And sexuality and I guess, giving birth, was not discussed with the young ones.
Imagine how horrified my Mom was when she was informed, that it was to be a vaginal birth. (She tells me, now, that she was scared to death)

Fortunately, for her, I was in a big hurry to be born. It took something like 45mins to an hour. I was born prematurely. I was a few weeks early. And I was quite small. I weighed less than 5lbs and fit in a shoebox...some might say I still do...LOL.

Other than that I was born whole and pretty healthy. At first, when I was coming out, Dr. Woods declared I was a boy, because of the position I was in, he said...but after cleaning me up...guess what?

It's a Girl!!!

My Grandpa called me his little Angel from Devine. He named me Alamar (to the Sea); after the beautiful young daughter, of the family who lived across the highway, named Alamar. He had a 'crush' on her... so, it runs in the family:)

But such a Big name for such a little girl was too much. My Grandma, Mom, Aunts, & Uncles called me ALMA. My cousins couldn't even begin to pronounce my name...mostly they called me MIE...My Cousin BooBoo, (Myrna), called me Ah-yee-mar. And most of them, still do!

Even I had a hard time with it. Kids used to tease me and call me other names.

But, when I first visited Santa Barbara, in 1974, I saw a motel on the beach named ALA MAR. That was a Good Sign. But then on a later visit, I saw a HUGE SIGN, hanging across STATE Street, at a stop light, that read: ALAMAR AVENUE.
I knew I was home, and Somebody Loved my name.

I felt I belonged. I moved to SB, in 1975, and stayed.

I have had an incredibly interesting and challenging life, up to now. I expect the next 30 - 40 years to be even more exciting, and hopefully, I will be able to handle all challenges, that may arise.

I have put in a lot of time... 67yrs...and I am ready to Reap some Rewards... some GOODNESS!

I am excited about the rest of my life. I have made many promises, to myself, for the next chapter. I intend to use what I have learned, wisely, and to the best of my ability; for my Highest Good and the Highest Good of others.
I am thankful and grateful that I have some insight, now, that I wish I had had in my 20's & 30's, to help me create a better life for myself. I, now, take full responsibility for whatever shows up in my life. And I know, that Forgiveness has a lot to do with what shows up.
So, daily, I forgive others and myself.

Thank you for being my friend.

Love, Alamar