THE HOME OF DOMINGO AND VIRGINIA ROCHA

Today, while in my hometown of Corcoran I happened to drive down to the end of Dairy Avenue.  There at that end of the street was the home of my former in-laws and my children's grandparents.  It looked so lonely facing the hot sun with no shrubs or trees that could shade it.  I felt like it was in a ghost town. The wind blew a tumble weed as I slowly drove by.   With nobody around was like a feeling of emptiness that came over me. 

I remember back in 1967- thru 1980.  It was a home full of life.  My in-laws had a large family which consisted of three sons and four daughters of which most of them lived on the property.    My former father-in-law was a man that stood only 5'4''.  He ruled his property like no other.  He built the house and several shacks that encircled the property.  His mother and father lived in a house by an alley close to him.  His sister and her family lived right next door.  There was always something going on.  People coming in and out of the house.  Adults, children and babies all around. 

My mother -in-law was almost what I call a Saint.  She loved all her family with all of her heart.  I miss her so much.  It was she that made that house on Dairy Avenue in Corcoran a Home.  She welcomed everyone.  I always felt a tremendous amount of love when I would go visit her.  I knew I had to compete for her attention due to so many relatives always in and out of her home. 

It almost brought a tear to my eyes when I remember years long gone.  Gone are the music that my mother -in-law loved.  Freddie Fender song, "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights" could be heard all the way to the alley in the back of her home.  Gone are all the hugs we would give each other. Gone are the days of me making my father-in-law laugh to the point of him crying.  Gone are all the New Years Eve's when my mother-in-law would tell me to go outside and help her honk the horn on the "Ponka."  Gone are the times my father-in-law would tell me all about the new fruit trees he planted.  Gone are all the special times with my mother-in-law by my side as we cruised the streets of Corcoran and go to Tolberts to eat a big piece of pie and ice-cream. 

The house is the only thing left now.    Everyone has grown up and left.  Renters are now on the property. 

May they both rest in Peace.