I've resisted celebrating El Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) since it originated as an Aztec holiday and I am a Christian. However, today my children and I talked about November 2nd being El Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) - a Mexican tradition that dates back 3,000+ years and thought about how much we miss my dad.
The kids had to make a school project for class tomorrow, which is already at school or I would have taken photos. They each made a collage to honor my dad who passed away May 2010. I was deeply touched. Thus, in honor of my dad, I'm going to tell you about my appreciation for him, his generosity, & his service.
Ret MSGT Manuel Criado
b. December 3rd, 1934
d. May 26, 2010
San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
My dad used to say to us...
I'm an American of Mexican descent, and don't ever regard yourself as anything different.
As a boy growing up in the 40's-50's my dad was prohibited to speak Spanish in school. This didn't seem to be too big a deal because both of his parents' spoke English primarily. But on occasion, something slipped out and he was spanked. Thus, in our house we never spoke Spanish. One might think that is kind of a sad event, and it is, but he raised three great kids.
My dad believed strongly in patriotism and citizenship. His father served in the military, both of his brothers and his only sister did, and so did my brother. I wanted to join the Air Force, I wanted to be a Recruiter when I turned 17. My dad talked me out of it saying that I'd have to get up at 6am every day, do lots of push ups, and said that he didn't think I was "cut out for that" - he may have been right. I'd like to think I was part of that elite group called service men/women but he couldn't see his little "doll" doing that - first time ever that I'm sharing this outside of my immediate family!
My dad also believed strongly that education was key to being successful. He dropped out of school in the 11th grade. After struggling, he joined the Active Duty Air Force Reserves, eventually serving in the US Air Force, and later working civil service at the post office. I always wondered why my dad didn't go to college given that he was a very smart man and so determined to push us through college. I was tasked with writing the obituary, he left me instructions (Oh so military was that! He left me orders!), in his little black briefcase and I found all kinds of goodies. I found photos of his previous girlfriends (prior to my mom - yes the photos were dated), his GED certificate, his orders, and a certificate.... he had obtained an Associate Degree in Management via military college courses. I cried. I couldn't believe it. Why didn't' he ever share that with me while alive? My mom didn't' even know he had done that.
Family was every thing to my dad. My dad had a son before he was married, Thomas but he was taken away by the mother so we didn't know Thomas until much later in life. He also had a step-son who was raised with us, Joe who obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration. The 2 kids that came from my dad and mom were me and Manuel Ray; we look like twins, we are a one year apart, we each own our own business, and we each achieved 6 year degrees. Manuel Ray obtained a Bachelor in Government from University of Texas and a Juris Doctor (JD) from Loyola University. I obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration from University of Texas - Arlington and a Master of Business Administration from University of Texas - San Antonio.
Besides being a great dad and patriot, my dad was a great citizen and friend. He spearheaded San Angelo's 1st city wide soccer team and coached my 3rd grade team. He was an assistant football coach, Boy Scout Leader, Lion's Club President, and Board Member for Head Start; my dad headed and participated in numerous committees. He would help anyone he could without accepting anything in return.
I recall when we first moved to that little red house (right) the neighbor across the street tried to stop the sale - he didn't want any Mexicans on his street. My dad later ended up helping him fix his car and that was the end of that.
I learned a lot from that little black brief case. He was given a Citizenship award by the Mayor of San Angelo. The mayor sent a representative to my dad's funeral which made my knees shake. I have never seen so many people at a viewing before. He wasn't a cop killed in action. He wasn't a dignitary. He wasn't a politician. He didn't publish a book.
Manuel Criado was a man of
GREAT CHARACTER, CHARISMA, & INTEGRITY.
He touched many lives and made the world better because he cared about people, genuinely.
Colloquialisms:
"I'll bet you a dollar to a donut!"
"Are your throwing a shin dig?"
"Get me a beer from the ice box!
My dad liked to make us breakfast on Saturdays and would ask us - knowing there was only one right answer: "Was it good? Was it really good? or Was it the best you ever had?"a
"Be nice to your mom, even after I'm gone."
"You only need to do the dishes once to learn how to do them, Juanita (my mom). If the kids have to do them more than once to learn they must be stupid. Are the kids stupid? Then they don't need to do them anymore. Let them go have some fun." - That was my favorite :)
L to R
Manuel R, Cathy, Dad, Elvis, Mom, Joe (aka Elvis Wanna Be)
Mom's 70th Birthday Sock Hop September 2007
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