Extraordinary Women Vol. 1

After Joining the Army

Aunt Artie and Uncle Dale Cairo, Egypt

Aunt Artie in Italy

This classic beauty is none other than my Great Aunt Artemisa Gomez-Hughes.  Now in her late 80's or early 90's (depending on who you ask) this women is still one of the most inspirational people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.  Artie has lived a phenomenal life.  She has survived hardships and enjoyed bliss.  Not only did she sing and dance for royalty in Egypt, but she also found love there.  I have never known her to be an old woman no matter her age.  When she used to watch me as a child, she cleaned the church everyday, taught the ballet folklorico and went to jazzercise.  Recently she was hit by a car while crossing the street and just a few short months later she is back to normal.  There is no keeping this woman down.  She was part of the army during WWII and no matter the time she lived in she remained well educated.  I don't like to play favorites but she is by far my favorite Great Aunt and one of my favorite people in the entire world.  I think that we all could take a lesson from her and never stop doing what we love.  She has not stopped living just because she has gotten older.  She has never separated herself from the family and what I find most significant is that she is still sharp as a tack!  I only hope that when I get older I will share the same qualities as her.  Her love story is one that should have movies written about it.  My Aunt and her husband Dale met in Cairo, Egypt.  They were both in the army at the time and while watching a movie he leaned over to his friend and said "See that woman down there?  That's the woman I am going to marry."  Just think, this was even before they knew each other.  That is a story that fairy tales are made of.  About 60 years later they are still married.  Due to the fabulous life she has lead there have been numerous stories written about her in newspapers.  There was even a television program that aired last year on Univision about her life.  She appeared on the cover of a local book called "They Opened Their Hearts: Tucson Elders Tell Stories of WWII to the Youth."  If we learn anything at all from this woman we should learn that we need to live more, love more and strive to be the best person we can.  Love you Tia Artemisa.

Here is a link to an article that was written about her in 2008.  The story starts on page 10.  I hope you enjoy!
http://assets.mediaspanonline.com/prod/1181189/dln_07042008A24.pdf

Come on LADIES!

Ladies, I have a bone to pick with you.  Ever since I was in high school I have been listening to women talk about they wish they could find a good man.  We as a gender are always complaining that there are no good men left in the world.  We say that we don't want to settle for less than we believe we are worth.  Yet, majority of women I know and are friends with are settling for men who are way less than worthy of their fabulosity.  Unfortunately due to past relationships and being jaded by unworthy men, many women fail to realize a good man when they see one.  I am gonna use a friend of mine as an example.  To protect her identity lets just call her "B.B".  Well BB has always had good men throwing themselves at her.  Whether they were professionals or athletes she has always had a good man within her reach.  Unfortunately BB has this issue with getting close to anyone.  Most of the time I want to shake the shit out of her.  She has had bad relationship after bad relationship.  Seems that she falls for the guys that don't want a commitment and have someone else in their lives.  Now she has met a perfect gentleman.  This man has cooked for her twice already, helped her son with his homework and takes BB to lunch every chance he gets.  When they are alone his phone does not ring, he does not have pictures of other chicks around and when they are out in public he is affectionate.  He treats her like a lady and he truly respects her.  But guess what?  She said she is confused as to whether he's genuine or not.  WTF!!! Come on girls!  Since when do we feel the need to question a good man?  When a lying cheating man comes in the picture we believe every word out of their mouths.  Yet a good man who is genuine and true we question....  Does this seem backwards to anyone else?  It's a new year and we aren't getting any younger.  Instead of saying what we don't want in a man why not look for what we DO want.  You are all worth more than you think.  Don't settle for less and don't question something that feels right.