These are the stories as they were sent to me by Erica, Felicia, Alex and Rudy. I am not sure how the Herald reporter (Amanda) or her Editor will edit them so I wanted to post them here in their entirety. Thanks again to them (Erica, Felicia, Alex and Rudy) for submitting the stories; I know it was a difficult thing for you all to do. I am proud of you all and do love you so very much. My sincere appreciation as well to the Big Spring Herald and to Amanda Moreno for their support and participation in reporting the story about our on-going family project for Philip. More so to Amanda as she has been in constant communication to ensure our story is accurate; her understanding of what we've gone through has been so helpful, respectful and sincere.
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Story from Erica:
My brothers passing impacted my life tremendously. I never imagined that something so tragic would happen to my family. My brother was a wonderful, hard-working, generous person, and anyone who had the honor of meeting him would say the same. I always considered my brother a great role model, whatever he did; I wanted to do the same. I wanted to be just like him. I guess you could say I saw my brother as my Hero. On the day the Lord called him home, was a life changing event for me. It was a huge eye opener for me; I realized that you shouldn’t take your loved ones for granted. After my brother’s unexpected death, I knew that I had to be the role model for my little sister. I knew that I had my little sister looking up to me, and I was determined to attempt to be a fourth of the role model that Philip was for me. Believe me, I kept hoping that I was dreaming, that I would wake up and my brother would still be there, but as hard as it was I know I must accept the Lords way, and continue living the best to my ability, not only for myself, but for my family, and for my brother.
Being a member of the Adopt-a-Highway program makes me feel proud and accomplishing. Not only are we helping the community, but we are doing it in a way to honor my brother. My brother would help anyone who needed it, and I feel with us participating in the Adopt-a-Highway program we are doing just that. Furthermore, when we participate in these events, we make it a point to get together as a family afterwards; it’s a way that we as a family are keeping the memories of my brother alive. I would strongly influence others to participate in the adopt-a-highway program. It is a great way to honor the memory of a loved one. It is a win-win situation to be a part of a program where you are honoring your loved one as well as helping the community. In addition, the feeling after the clean up is a great feeling of accomplishment.
Philip’s sister, Erica Guzman (25)
My brothers passing impacted my life tremendously. I never imagined that something so tragic would happen to my family. My brother was a wonderful, hard-working, generous person, and anyone who had the honor of meeting him would say the same. I always considered my brother a great role model, whatever he did; I wanted to do the same. I wanted to be just like him. I guess you could say I saw my brother as my Hero. On the day the Lord called him home, was a life changing event for me. It was a huge eye opener for me; I realized that you shouldn’t take your loved ones for granted. After my brother’s unexpected death, I knew that I had to be the role model for my little sister. I knew that I had my little sister looking up to me, and I was determined to attempt to be a fourth of the role model that Philip was for me. Believe me, I kept hoping that I was dreaming, that I would wake up and my brother would still be there, but as hard as it was I know I must accept the Lords way, and continue living the best to my ability, not only for myself, but for my family, and for my brother.
Being a member of the Adopt-a-Highway program makes me feel proud and accomplishing. Not only are we helping the community, but we are doing it in a way to honor my brother. My brother would help anyone who needed it, and I feel with us participating in the Adopt-a-Highway program we are doing just that. Furthermore, when we participate in these events, we make it a point to get together as a family afterwards; it’s a way that we as a family are keeping the memories of my brother alive. I would strongly influence others to participate in the adopt-a-highway program. It is a great way to honor the memory of a loved one. It is a win-win situation to be a part of a program where you are honoring your loved one as well as helping the community. In addition, the feeling after the clean up is a great feeling of accomplishment.
Philip’s sister, Erica Guzman (25)
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Story from Felicia:
I remember my brother Philip as if he was just here yesterday. I don't like to think about the day of the accident. I want to remember him and all the good times we had together. He was a huge part of my life; he and my sister Erica are my biggest role models. What he did for me and my family I will always hold dear to my heart and the memories of my brother can never be taken away. I know he is not here physically, but spiritually, he is always close by. Philip is now my guardian angel and I know he's always watching over me and our family. When my aunt Dora and our friend Sara told us about the Adopt-a-Highway program and the reasons why they did it, I felt really good and honored. Now nine years later, as a teenager, I realize it helps me cope with his passing and helps keep his memory alive. I wish more people would really consider doing this on behalf of their loved ones because it just makes you feel proud and at the same time, you are doing your part in keeping your community clean.
To all those who take part in the Adopt-a-Highway program, keep up the good work.
Philip's little sister, Felicia! (17)
Story from Alex Hernandez
Philip’s death had a big impact on my life. I was only six years old when he passed. And I could remember that the person that was lying on the hospital bed was a person that I had come to admire so much in my life, as he always took time to play with me and make me laugh. He seemed real quiet and shy around older people, but he was always funny and making us little ones laugh, especially me and his little sister Felicia. In fact, the last time I saw him alive and laughing was at my 6th birthday party in April 2000. His death left a big void in my life and I’m so proud to be involved in the clean-up every chance we get because it’s a way for me to connect with him and let him know how much he is missed and loved. In fact, this is the one time that I don’t mind getting up early on a Saturday morning (like most teenagers, I, too, can be known to sleep in on Saturday mornings) to help with the clean-up. I couldn’t think of a better way to memorialize my cousin Philip for his kind and generous heart. I would encourage families to get together and get involved with this annual clean-up, to love and enjoy each other while you are all still together. It’s a great time to talk and share and help the community at the same time.
Alexandra Hernandez-Philip’s cousin. (14)
Story from Rudy Gamboa:
Philip Guzman, Jr. was not only my cousin but also my best friend and my brother eternal. I remember the times when we would be out on the ranch playing through the West Texas fields as if we were explorers of the world searching for gold. No matter what he did, it was simply amazing. I looked up to him, and even today, still look up to him because he was that special. Philip was not only intelligent, but he was a caring and loving individual. He always took the time to help others whether it was something complex as figuring the problem of an engine or as simple as making you smile and laugh. It’s almost been 10 years already and his life lives on through our family. To most people, Snyder Highway is simply Snyder Highway. To me, it was the road to my cousin's home. Being on that small stretch of highway brings back all of the memories we had together, and just for that one moment, I feel close to him again. Perhaps you could say Snyder Highway is the Highway to Heaven. To me, it's that beautiful! He would have done it for anybody.
Rudy Gamboa, Philip’s cousin! (28)
I remember my brother Philip as if he was just here yesterday. I don't like to think about the day of the accident. I want to remember him and all the good times we had together. He was a huge part of my life; he and my sister Erica are my biggest role models. What he did for me and my family I will always hold dear to my heart and the memories of my brother can never be taken away. I know he is not here physically, but spiritually, he is always close by. Philip is now my guardian angel and I know he's always watching over me and our family. When my aunt Dora and our friend Sara told us about the Adopt-a-Highway program and the reasons why they did it, I felt really good and honored. Now nine years later, as a teenager, I realize it helps me cope with his passing and helps keep his memory alive. I wish more people would really consider doing this on behalf of their loved ones because it just makes you feel proud and at the same time, you are doing your part in keeping your community clean.
To all those who take part in the Adopt-a-Highway program, keep up the good work.
Philip's little sister, Felicia! (17)
Story from Alex Hernandez
Philip’s death had a big impact on my life. I was only six years old when he passed. And I could remember that the person that was lying on the hospital bed was a person that I had come to admire so much in my life, as he always took time to play with me and make me laugh. He seemed real quiet and shy around older people, but he was always funny and making us little ones laugh, especially me and his little sister Felicia. In fact, the last time I saw him alive and laughing was at my 6th birthday party in April 2000. His death left a big void in my life and I’m so proud to be involved in the clean-up every chance we get because it’s a way for me to connect with him and let him know how much he is missed and loved. In fact, this is the one time that I don’t mind getting up early on a Saturday morning (like most teenagers, I, too, can be known to sleep in on Saturday mornings) to help with the clean-up. I couldn’t think of a better way to memorialize my cousin Philip for his kind and generous heart. I would encourage families to get together and get involved with this annual clean-up, to love and enjoy each other while you are all still together. It’s a great time to talk and share and help the community at the same time.
Alexandra Hernandez-Philip’s cousin. (14)
Story from Rudy Gamboa:
Philip Guzman, Jr. was not only my cousin but also my best friend and my brother eternal. I remember the times when we would be out on the ranch playing through the West Texas fields as if we were explorers of the world searching for gold. No matter what he did, it was simply amazing. I looked up to him, and even today, still look up to him because he was that special. Philip was not only intelligent, but he was a caring and loving individual. He always took the time to help others whether it was something complex as figuring the problem of an engine or as simple as making you smile and laugh. It’s almost been 10 years already and his life lives on through our family. To most people, Snyder Highway is simply Snyder Highway. To me, it was the road to my cousin's home. Being on that small stretch of highway brings back all of the memories we had together, and just for that one moment, I feel close to him again. Perhaps you could say Snyder Highway is the Highway to Heaven. To me, it's that beautiful! He would have done it for anybody.
Rudy Gamboa, Philip’s cousin! (28)
