Don't Mess With Texas 2010: "Texas Trash Off " Pictures

Don't Mess With Texas 2010: "Texas Trash Off " - A Success.

The Trash Off event took place on Saturday, April 10, 2010.

I hope everyone enjoys the pics.

Thanks to Sara for taking them - she takes better pics than I ever do 4 sure!

Those in attendance:

Eva, Wero, Felicia, Erica, Nick, Sara, Rudy, Aurora, Jorge, Tom and 2 of Wero's buddies (DNK names).

Unfortunately, this year's annual Trash Off saw some of us "usual suspects" unable to attend for various reasons. Betty had to work and missed the event, and as for the rest of us who were absent: Josie, Jabier, Alex and I had a prior engagement for a day-long (8am-6pm) church retreat for confirmand's and their parents and sponsors (that's me).

BTW: Alex's Confirmation is another family event which we are geting ready for next month. That special event takes place on Wednesday, May 19th, 2010

(6 PM at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Midland, Texas).

Another Adopt-a-Highway clean up approaches us in April 10, 2010

Texas Trash Off 2010

As part of our on-going family Adopt-a-Highway program, we always agree to partake in the annual Trash Off which is usually held in April.  This year it will take place on the 10th.  I hope many family members and friends are able to join us in the fun and follies which is a given during these clean ups.  Lots and lots of fun.  We usually break down into groups of 4 with at least 2 people per group - this helps us finish up rather quickly.  We start at 8 AM sharp to avoid heavy traffic and to catch the better part of the cool mornings thus avoiding the awful heat which is prone to west Texas. 

This program began as a way to help keep our Texas highways clean but especially as a way to honor and to remember my nephew, Philip Guzman Jr.  Philip's birthday (June 13th) is another annual trash pick up day for our family-based Adopt-a-Highway program.  We try to either get the clean up completed on his birthday or as close to it as possible. Last year my niece, Erica (Philip's sister), married Nick on Philip's birthday (06-13-09) so we had to perform the clean up on a different day. 

 This year Philip's birthday is on a Sunday so I am sure that my sister, Eva, who is another group leader, will want to have the clean up on Saturday 06-12-10. I will post a reminder later on with the data.

For now, please mark-off your schedules and calendars so that you may join us on Saturday, April 10th, 2010.  Food & more fun after the clean-up!!!

Living: A Crossroads Magazine...Remembering Philip

As with many things in life and the many doors which swing open to bring us change and much happiness, there is a also another evil door which swings open every once in a while to slam the very gut of our existence with tragedy and bleakness, but maybe in the end it reminds us to appreciate all that we still have left. I narrow it down to being part of the ying yang theory or simply...just a fact of life.

Today I remember many young lives that have been taken away much too soon, but the person whom is closest in my heart and memory, the person I will always wonder 'what if' about is my dear nephew Philip. I miss you and love you so much!!!! Aunt Dora...

Story filed on May 2, 2009 (open in new tab/window 4 better view)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PHILIP! Your sis' Erica got married today like she wanted.

TODAY WAS YOUR 29TH BIRTHDAY AND YOU WERE IN ALL OF OUR HEARTS AND IN OUR THOUGHTS THE ENTIRE DAY. WE SPOKE OF YOU CONSTANTLY, BUT YOU KNOW THAT AS WE KNOW YOU WERE THERE IN SPIRIT; YOUR PRESENCE WAS FELT BY US ALL THROUGH-OUT THE ENTIRE DAY AND EVENING.

ERICA HAD THE PERFECT WEDDING AND MARRIED A REALLY NICE PERSON.

THEY ARE OFFIClALLY MR. & MRS. NICHOLAS PUENTES.

AS PART OF THE CEREMONY, RUDY TOASTED THE WEDDED COUPLE AND HE ALSO BROUGHT YOU UP...IT WAS ANOTHER TOUCHING MOMENT. NOT A DRY EYE IN THE PLACE.

YOU WERE SEVERELY MISSED!

MY WEDDING VIDEO FOR ERICA & NICK WENT WELL ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A MINOR TECHNICAL GLITCH WHEN I PLAYED IT. FUNNY THING IS THAT IT NEVER MESSED UP DURING THE MANY, MANY PLAYBACKS WHILE I PIECED IT TOGETHER UNTIL THE FINAL VIEWING THE NIGHT OF THEIR WEDDING. THE MOVIE FROZE...I DID NOT PANIC NOR GET UPSET; I KNEW YOU WERE THERE TO GIVE YOUR AUNT DORA A FUN MOMENT. HA, HA - THANKS FOR THAT!

YOUR AUNT JOSIE DID A FABULOUS JOB AS THEIR WEDDING COORDINATOR.

YOUR PIC WAS THE FIRST CENTER PIECE EVERYONE SAW WHEN THEY ENTERED THE BUILDING. I AM SURE ERICA WANTED IT THAT WAY ALONG WITH NICK AS HE CHERISHES YOUR SISTER AND ALWAYS HAS HER BACK. YOUR MOM, DAD AND FELICIA ALSO WANTED IT (center piece) THAT WAY, OF THAT I AM CERTAIN, AND THEY ALSO REMEMBERED YOU DEARLY.

WE LOVE YOU - ALWAYS.

Stories from Philip's sisters and cousins

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)

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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)

2009 Texas Trash Off : A SUCCESS!

We all gathered at our usual meeting place at the usual time (8:00 AM). 14 ppl met for the pics and 13 ppl were able to stay for the actual clean-up.

It was a nice day for the event. Nice and cool, a bit breezy but not so bad at the beginning. Later on, part of the group did encounter some really hard winds and much dirt, but we are grateful they made out okay. Truly grateful that we all made out okay and that safety was our priority and insurance for a good day. We finished early enough that we beat the not-so-nice weather as the winds did get worse as did the dirt at the very end. As the morning progressed, we reflected on Philip's life and what he did for the family and how much he meant to us and how dearly he is missed. Below are pics of the event. Thanks so much to everyone who showed up. As always, it means so much to our family especially to the Guzman Family!

(click on pics for larger view)

Above both pics L - R, back row: Uncle Jabier, Nick, Uncle Billy.
L - R, front row: Aunt Dora, Sara, Grandma "Momo" Eva, Aunt Aurora, Cousin Alex, Mom Eva, Sister Felicia, Sister Erica, Dad Philip SR, Aunt Josie and Aunt Betty

Above pic on left, L - R, back row: Uncle Jabier, Nick, Aunt Betty. L - R, front row: Aunt Dora, Sara, Aunt Aurora, Cousin Alex, Aunt Josie, Grandma "Momo" Eva, Sister Felicia, Mom Eva, Dad Philip SR and kneeling is Sister Erica,

Above picture on right: Dad Philip, SR and Uncle Tom (thanks to Tom for never missing an event, he is Philip SR's twin)

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After the clean-up: we all headed back to Mom's home for breakfast which she made for us and we so did appreciate. Everyone stayed around until lunch-time and we had chili dogs and such. Thanks to my sisters, Aurora and Eva and to our Mom, Eva, for providing the food. You guys are awesome. Even after lunch, we were all still having such a good time that no one left for several hours. At some point, Erica, Nick and Josie (their wedding coordinator) broke off into another room for a little while to continue plans for the June wedding. The rest of us kept talking and laughing. Aurora bought us (her sisters and our Mom) some scratch off tickets; most of us made out very well ($$$). "Thanks, FUA!"

Back to the clean-up along Snyder Hwy, we laughed as we fought our way through the hard winds and the dirt and thought that Philip must be laughing at us for the way we were having to fend it all off. At the same time, we knew he was ever-more so proud of us.

Indeed...Philip is never forgotten or far from our hearts!