Daniel Cardenas

Born in La Escondida, a small ranch in Mexico, dad grew up there taking care of his grandparents and managing the ranch that they lived on; over our childhood he would tell us the adventures of childhood with his best friend Chata, his burro.

Dad always worked, it wasn’t uncommon for him to work 2-3 jobs. In his early 20s he joined his brother Alfred in Detroit to work in the car factories.

on his birthday 12.31.57 he celebrated his birthday at a party where he met his life partner; Mom had paid her brother to chaperone her to the dance and Dad approached her asking for a birthday kiss, mom walked away saying I don’t know you; he later told his friend you see that girl in the blue dress I’m going to marry her and in less than 6 months later with $300 in their pocket they eloped.

From the beginning dad was determined to succeed; he didn’t let his limited education hold him back; he worked in the auto factories, washed cars, sheared sheep, he was a longshoreman, a waiter, a custodian, and banquet manager. He worked multiple jobs to make sure mom stayed home and raised the kids.

When we were young we would wait for him on those Friday and Saturday nights hoping to be awake when he walked in at 1 or 2 in the morning, only to have him carry us to our beds when he arrived. On the days he actually was home we piled in the car and went to the park to have a picnic and play ball or drive to Dairy Queen for a softy.

It wasn’t uncommon for him to work holidays so we celebrated around his work schedule; I remember him telling me he would be so happy when he turned 65 so he could retire, keep in mind it took him 3 times before he successfully retired at the age of 72.

My parents would play records and dance in the house, moving the furniture to create a dance floor. Their fights would be over trivial things such as being outside too long or feeding the dogs table food. 30 years ago dad realized his dream and bought land; he took such pride in owning it, mowing it, being with the wild rabbits and deers.

He never complained he was always okay, nothing ever hurt. He had been diagnosed with AFib telling the doctors that he couldn’t feel the flutter of his heart and 6 years ago dad was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney disease, My dad was a people person, gentle and kind, he made friends easily, he was sweet, loved animals and above all loved his family. “