Don Ramoncito, mi Papito lindo te doy gracias por todos los tostones que me diste cuando estaba chiquita para comprar mi pan. y por haberme ensenado a manejar en su carro azul que parecia una abejita, por la paciensa que siempre tenia.por preocuparse por nosotros,nunca se me olvida cuando nos toco la puerta una manana, a Luz y a mi, diciendo mis hijas lla esta listo el desanuno vengan a comer. Y cuando compramos la casa en santa rosa me dijo,mija que bueno que lla no va ha manejar tan lejos en esa neblina tan fea. El siempre se preocupaba por todos unque no nos lo decia, yo se que nos va seguir cuidando desde el cielo y mejor porque desde hai nos miras mejor. Gracias por tu amor infinito te extrana mucho tu hija Lupita y sigue cantandome mi cansion. Papito

Es un orgullo haber sido tu hija, sobre todo de un hombre tan bondadoso, sincero, alegre, social y responsable con su familia. El 5 de Noviembre del 2014 cambiaste de residencia y te convertiste en el vecino mas popular del cielo. Por eso cada ves que volteo hacia arriba trato de aprenderme tu nueva direccion para irte a visitar y si tu me lo permites quedarme contigo.
Siempre te llevo en mi corazon***
Tu hija**Lucita**

umm... I wrote this one on the 18th of Novemeber, but the two previous ones I posted before this one, I wrote because I miss him and I needed to let more of it out. I wrote those December first in the middle of the night because I couldn't sleep and help but feel sad, but that's beside the point...


He Was Just A Kid

Do you ever wonder what White Grandpa was like as a child? Because honestly, I think a part of him never stopped being a kid. He was always with kids. He loved and adored them. He was like a kiddie magnet. He would love them even if they weren't his. And he would fall in love with them too. Just as they did for him. How I know this, well he played with every little kid in his reach. Just like me I loved playing with him, being with him, walking with him, even just sitting with him was fun and comforting.  Fortunately for me, I was related to this wonderful man. But an example of kids who adored him that weren't his grandkids, would be Julian and Angel. At one of my little sisters' birthday parties, he played with my little two year old cousin Angel and the other one, Julian, who is not much older than Angel. And he made them laugh and have fun while they called him grandpa even though they had no biological relation to this kind hearted man. He never stopped loving kids. And kids never stopped loving him. Because he always was a kid. A kid at heart.

Although I wasn't fortunate to be higher up the chain, what I mean is, I wasn't your granddaughter, at least I was fortunate to be something better, your great granddaughter. Which made you my great grandfather, and great you were. You were the greatest best friend any little girl could ask for... I can never say it enough... te quiero mi abuelito quierido...

I still miss him... It's like I find little memories sneaking out of my eyes and rolling down my cheeks... 
But honestly, I miss him, I mean, he's gone. But he's not. I can never hold him again until we reunite someday but his memories still live with me. And when we do reunite, we'll make more memories. "Good things come to those who wait." As if I close my eyes and picture him. He's not dead. He lives on. I cant physically see him or touch him. But when I close my eyes, I can. He's not dead to me. But it sure as hell is devastating when I tell myself the truth and that I have to except the fact that God needed him more than I do, he needed another wonderful man to make him feel everything he made me feel, happiness, warmth, love, and I guess God must have needed a good laugh, or to be serenaded with his sweet voice just as he did for me for my 14th birthday. I love my White Grandpa. I'm sure God did this for a reason. He works in mysterious ways...
I will always love you my White Grandpa.

Although, many days or even just a few have lapsed since we were last privileged to feel your endless joy and strength embracing us with your countless smiles, hugs, kisses, sayings and valuable words of advice you continue to make lively memories in our hearts. Even though, these thoughts may still bring tears to our eyes, smiles or even laughter as we continue the path of life without your physical presence, what you have left us with will always be cherished!
God had it all planned to the perfection for there couldn't have been a better day or month in which you have reached your final destiny. Veteran's Day will never ever be taken for granted for you have proven to be a veteran yourself as a great fighter even until the end and a great example of standing tall for the benefit of many. Your unconditional love, patience, gratitude and friendliness were there until the end. 
As we approach our first Thanksgiving dinner without you, we can all agree it will never be same again, but GOD's plan was for us not to feel sad. His almighty power would have allowed us to physically share this day with you but it wouldn't have been like you would have wished it to be & many times said "Panza llena, CORAZON CONTENTO!"   We couldn't have been happy to have a food feast, knowing that you wouldn't be able to celebrate it in the same way with us.  But now with you sitting next to GOD's side & no longer suffering, I have a very important reason to celebrate & be thankful this year:  God couldn't have blessed me with the opportunity to have met  a greater Dad/Grandpa & GREAT-Grandpa for all your loved ones and those who I will share your ever-lasting blessings!!!! Thank you for all your love and great teachings! You have your “muchachito Alito” & me with an enormous invaluable inheritance.

Aunque muchos días o incluso sólo unos pocos, han transcurrido desde que tuvimos la última vez el privilegio de sentir su alegría y su fuerza infinita que  nos fortalecio atravez de sus innumerables sonrisas, abrazos, besos , refranes y valiosas palabras de consejo, hoy siguen siendo recuerdos vivos en nuestros corazones. Aunque , estos pensamientos aún pueden traernos lágrimas, sonrisas e incluso risas mientras continuamos el camino de la vida sin su presencia física , lo que nos deja , siempre será apreciado!
Dios tenía todo planeado a la perfección para que no hubiera  abido un mejor día o mes en que usted  llegara  a su destino final . El Día de los Veteranos nunca jamás pasara sin ser percibido pues como  todo un veterano  ha demostrado ser un gran luchador  hasta el final y un gran ejemplo de vivir la vida con la frente en alto para el beneficio de muchos. Su amor incondicional, paciencia , gratitud y amabilidad estuvieron presente  hasta el final .
A medida que nos acercamos a nuestra primera cena de Acción de Gracias sin usted, todos estamos de acuerdo que nunca será igual otra vez , pero el plan de Dios no era para que nos sintieramos tristes por que con su gran poder nos hubiera permitido tenerlo con nosotros pero no hubiera sido como usted muchas veces nos dijo " Panza llena , CORAZON CONTENTO ! " ¿Para nosotros cómo hubiera sido posible tener una  cena y estar contentos, sabiendo que ya no podía celebrar de la misma manera . Pero ahora con usted sentado al lado de Dios, tengo una razón muy importante para celebrar y agradecer este año: Dios no pudo haberme bendecido mas al haber tenido la oportunidad de haber conosido un gran papá /abuelo  y bisabuelo de muchos seres queridos con los  que voy a compartir las muchas bendiciones que de usted recibi !!!! Muchas Gracias por tanto amor, cari?o y grandes ense?ansas. Le a diejado a su “muchachito Alito” y a mi una enorme e invaluable herencia.

My Grandfather! 
Always made me feel loved and appreciated! I will miss our long hugs and your fantastic smile and most of all i will never forget our walks to the park everyday when I was a child, after 25yrs I still remember!! You are the first person in my life that I lost who I truly care about. To honor my grandfather I will always smile and love my family as much as he did! 

Never stop smiling.
RIP grandpa
Ramon Contreras

I was always a very stubborn and defiant little girl, but Grandpa always gave me the tightest hugs that felt like he'd never let me go.  Oh how I miss that, but the memory is so vivid that I can feel them if I close my eyes.  Grandpa accepted me as I was and always saw the potential in me to grow up into a caring person with patience and warmth to give to others, and mostly to myself. He taught me life lessons in such a way that I wouldn't even realize it until I found myself doing the same with others.  Like sharing what you've worked so hard for with others.  It's not easy growing your own fruits and plants, but he always gave them away because he knew it's much better to share the fruits of your labor with others than to keep them all to yourself.  This is something I saw much of my family doing and I realized why everyone had always been so kind to me regardless of how I was.  It was because they learned it from Grandpa.  He loved making everyone happy and I was very sad to move away from him and Grandma because I couldn't see their lovely smiles or hear their humming while they worked anymore. 
  
As an adult, he saw how I had learned and grown (finally) and would slowly clap his hands when he finally recognized me and congratulate me on my accomplishments. He'd say "que bonita nieta tengo" and I'd laugh and say "es porque tengo un abuelito tan guapo" and he'd smile.  Wow, what a great privilege to make the man who has given me and the rest of our family so much love, a small chuckle. I will keep these memories with me forever and I  promise to continue to keep his legacy alive with the rest of this wonderful family who have shown me how to give and receive love.  Thank you Grandpa for showing us the way.  Te quiero tanto tanto Abuelito, muah!

Mi abuelo, el gran hombre, Ramón Contreras.
¿Quién fue Ramón Contreras? 
Fue un esposo amoroso, un padre, un hermano, un abuelo, un tío, un primo y amigo de muchos. Pero para mí era como un segundo padre y fue uno de los hombres más grandes y nobles que he conocido. 
Era de carácter fuerte, él lograba todo lo que se proponía, y pasaba todos los obstáculos para cumplir con sus objetivos.
Abuelo era también un muy buen trabajador, fue honesto y un hombre justo.  Una de sus buenas cualidades para el trabajo era  que siempre llegaba a tiempo a su trabajo. El gano su sueldo de manera honesta y justa a lo largo de toda su carrera laboral.
Otra gran cosa por la que será recordado es por su buen sentido del humor; de vez en cuando me contaba chistes colorados al igual que a varios de su confianza.  Seguramente ya le conto unos cuantos chistes inocentes a Dios ahora que está en el cielo. 
Mi abuelo fue un hombre de gran gozo, que tenía el oído, corazón, alma y amor por la buena música. Nunca se avergonzaba de cantar sus canciones favoritas sin importar donde estuviera y que con el estaría. Siempre recordaré su alegría y su gran voz... Fue mi Vicente Fernandez.
El nunca aspiró a ser un hombre muy rico, pero para mí fue el hombre más rico del mundo, por su ambición de compartir su amor y amistad a todos sus hijos, nietos y bisnietos, junto con todos sus familiares, amigos y conocidos lo hizo ser el hombre más rico con el que he tenido el honor y el privilegio de compartir mi vida. 
Será muy difícil para mí seguir sus huellas y ejemplos, pero intentare hacerlo lo mejor que pueda. Definitivamente compartiré y ensenare su ejemplo a mis hijos.
En conclusión, a todos los dejo con esto: Los héroes son recordados, pero las leyendas nunca se olvidan. Mi abuelo no formo parte del servicio ni fue a la guerra, pero el sirvió a su familia y siempre luchó para mantenernos juntos. Y por eso el siempre será un héroe para mí, como para muchos otros. 
Siempre te querré y te extrañare!!!
PARA SIEMPRE VIVIRA LA LEYENDA... "RAMON CONTRERAS"
 Su nieto, 
Guillermo (Memo) Vera Contreras

My Grandfather, the Great Man, Ramon Contreras.
Who was Ramon Contreras? 
He was a Loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, cousin uncle, and friend to many. But to me he was like a second father, and was one of the greatest noble men that I have ever met.  
He was of Strong character, as he would set his mind to do something, and no matter what came across his way, he would always accomplish to meet his goals.
Grandfather was also a very hard working, honest and a fair man, always making sure to be on time to earn his pay in an honest and fair way throughout his entire working career.
Another great thing that he will be remembered for is his good sense of humor; as he was never shy to whisper to me or anyone who would appreciate a good x-rated story or joke from time to time. Which I am pretty sure he has whispered a couple of innocent ones to God in heaven by now. 
He was a man of great joy, who had the ear, heart, soul and love for great music. He was never embarrassed to sing his favorite songs no matter where he may be and who he would be with. I will always remember his cheerfulness and great voice….. As he was my Vicente Fernandez.
I don't believe grandfather ever aspired to be a very wealthy man, but to me he was the wealthiest man ever, as his ambition to share his love and friendship to all his kids, grandkids, great grand kids, along with all of his relatives, friends, and acquaintances makes him to be the richest man I have ever had the honor and privilege to be around. 
It will be very hard, but I will always try my very best to follow in his foot prints and examples. I will  most definitely  share and  pass them on to my kids.
In conclusion, I leave everyone with this:  Heroes are remembered, but legends are never forgotten.  Grandfather might have not been part of the service or gone to war, but he in fact served his family and always fought to keep us together. And for that he will always be a hero to me, as to many others.  
I will always love and miss you!!!
FOREVER LIVE THE LEGEND………… “RAMON CONTRERAS”
Your Grandson, 
Guillermo (Memo) Vera Contreras

My abuelito was and will always be a great man. Where ever he step foot, he always made somebody's day. The man could do no wrong and yet he valued himself like all us, just human. He was a great husband and true romantic to my grandmother Socorro. A man of great wisdom. The best father anybody could ask for, firm but fair with all his children, and yet still showed slot of love. With his grandchildren, he loved us all equally but individually loved us in our own unique way that we each came acustomed to. With his great grand kids, he was their sunshine and candy kisses. This man was the apittamy of what genuine and true love and happiness stood for. Since I could remember, he never had a bad day and if you were he made it rain happiness. Abuelito, I know that St. Peter himself opened the golden gates of heaven welcoming you home. God has in braced you and thanking you for firmly leaving your footprints behind and impacting everyone you came in contact with with pure love. Jesus Christ is also comforting you on a long and weirry journey through life and will now carry home. Abuelito I will see when I see you in heaven and I look foward you welcoming me to heaven. I just pray and hope that I may come close to being the man you were, are and forever will be. Our true inheritance will be your legacy and not the material objects of this world. Thank you abuelito for everything you have ever done for me. I love you 
Tito

I loved, and still love, and will always love my White Grandpa Ramon. I love all the memories he brought to us, Like our little walks we took together. I loved watching cartoons with you,playing with you, talking to you, you made it so fun because you would play as if you were a little kid too. and the fact that I was your favorite, made me so happy because you told the whole world how much I meant to you. I especially loved your heart warming kisses because the feel of your beard felt like home. Seeing you felt like home. Now I feel homeless. God doesn't know what he took from me, but my mommy and my sisters say he's our new Guardian Angel. He loved all of us so much. 
Love,
His Favorite Little Muchachita 
Kaylynn

My abuelito was a great, kind and fine man. Where ever he set foot he made somebody's day. His one true legacy was not his Money or his material assets. His inheritance to his kin was love and happiness for all us. He taught us how to live on harmony and peace without hate or darkness. He loves his wife Socorro with true romance. His children all raised with nothing but love, discipline and morals. He loved all his grand kids equally yet unique in everyone of us on way. The love he gives all his great grand kids was so kind and hole some considering they all have grandparents. The relationships he gained outside of the family were nothing but respect that was given in the end and well deserved aswell. His one concern in life was his name not being carried after he passes. I guess after taking his last breathe we all know that will never be the case. So kudos to you grandpa Ramon. I know that St. Peter has those big golden gates wide open for you in heaven welcoming you in. God himself will be embracing letting you know about how firmly you left your feet planted in the ground. Jesus Christ will at that point will then comfort you as you end the long and weirary journey home, thank you abuelito for all you ever done for my grandmother, my mother and FOR Me. You were, are and forever will be the man I measure up to and I want to be. I love you abuelito. May god bless you and everything you stand for. I will see you in heaven one day.

My Grandpa...

I had a grandpa, a grandpa like no other... He was so full of life, so lovely, so wonderful, so incredibly special... He was my White Grandpa Ramon.
Grandpa, I will love you always and miss your forever... I know grandpa, someday we will be together again...But for now grandpa, I feel so very special to have, had all those wonderful memories, and I will hold them in my heart forever...
I could honestly say grandpa that my sisters and I never took our time with your for granted, because we showed you how very much we love you every minute that we were together which was almost always. We feel honored and very special to have been your "muchachitas tan bonitas" like you always called us. 
No one could ever imagine the love we shared...I know we touched your heart as much as you touched ours... I know many will be regretting right now not spending enough time with you, however we have no regrets grandpa because we gave you the same amount of love as we received from you. My heart is at peace knowing you knew just how very much you meant to my sisters and I.
I will always remember that face you made every time we came through the door, always full of excitement and clapping saying "Ya llegaron mis muchachitas tan bonitas." It will be hard not to hear those sweet words again...
I am grateful that I got to spend as much time as I could with a great man who was such a loving and caring person overall. He was loved by so many people, he had this personality that everyone was attracted to. 
I have so many memories with him its is nearly impossible for me to share them with you all. I mean I guess I can but it will take us a while. I remember sitting down at the kitchen table with him waiting to get served the lunch grandma had prepared for us that day. I just remember starring up at him and reciting all the lyrics to the song Cielito Lindo.  Always clapping for me because I got it right and even if I didn't he still would of and him making jokes saying calcones instead of corazones. 
Or when we were sitting outside on the bench and him trying to show us how to whistle putting his lips together. I just remember being so fascinated by this random noise coming out of this mans lips. just wanting to know how this noise was made. so he showed us, took us awhile, but we did it and you better believe when we showed him he would be clapping those gentle hands of his for us. and you cant forget about his cans no matter what every single day he had to have them squished and showing us how to as well. 
Its so depressing how his little garden of his is gone with him. He would spend hours everyday taking those unwanted weeds from the grass. and you look at it now, you would be able to say that his garden has aged with him.
He was taken from us that morning, he heard a voice calling his name and new it was his time to departure from us.  God broke my heart so he can prove to us all that he only takes the best. I know now that God has gained an angel up above with him. I love you grandpa and I know your watching down on us all protecting us.

Love Always and Forever,
Karina Vera
(one of your four muchachitas)

My Lovely Grandpa

I will miss you, Forever and Ever...
I will miss playing with you, I will miss hugging you, I will miss our many walks. And I will miss your lovely kisses.
Thank you for loving me so much. You were my second daddy and I will miss you so much. 
Love,
Your Little Muchachita 
Karlynn

What I Remember

So yes I was only five,
And yes I wish I could remain five.
But sadly that will never happen.
But here's what I remember…

I remember being called for lunch.
And I remember sitting down at the kitchen table
As my Grandma Corro called for my White Grandpa.

I remember the way he walked.
He walked with those shoes of his,
When he walked by softly dragging his shoes.
I remember the soft sound it made
That's how I always knew he was coming.

When he finally came to the table,
I had already begun eating,
Eating my favorite food
Molé.
So as I sat there,
You can imagine an adorable little five year old
Waiting for her grandpa to sit beside her.
Swaying her feet back and forth 
With a smile on her face.


He sat 
And I just looked up at him,
Smiling. 
And what I remember,
What I remember
Is that amazing, happy smile of his.
And I think of looking up at him,
And seeing that same exact smile
Every single time I sit
In the kitchen…On the seat… That was once next to him…
My White Grandpa
That's What I Remember

Pockets For The Kisses

My grandpa, My White Grandpa had somewhat sense of style. I mean, his clothes never really went out of style. He always wore nice pants with a long sleeve dress shirt or flannel shirts. Although what he wore never really mattered. What mattered was that he had pockets. To put all the kisses we blew to him in. He was so adorable. He would blow us kisses and we would blow him kisses. He would catch the kisses. Each and every one of them. And he would keep them safe, somewhere close to his heart. In the pockets of his shirts. He would have pockets for the kisses. Our kisses.

What Do I Do?

So now you're gone.
You're gone and I'm sad.
Very, very sad.
I wonder if the ache in my heart will ever leave.
They say the pain just slowly leaves you.
That you start to feel a little bit less over time.

But you'll still be gone.
What do I do now?
What do I do when I want to see you?
What do I do when I need a hug?
And not just from just anyone.
From my White Grandpa.

What do I do when I suddenly forget how to whistle?
You've taught me when I was five.
But you can't teach me again.

What if I forget the lyrics to the song you taught me?
You taught me to sing and not cry.
But I'm crying because you can't sing to me anymore.
What do I do?

What if I want to hear your voice?
Your voice.
Not just anyone's voice.
Your voice.
But what do I do when I can't hear your voice?
What do I do?


What do I do when I am crushing cans to sell?
I'll just cry and think of you.
I'll think of your shack.
And how I was five and would crush cans with you,
So you can sell them.
What do I do?
Should I sing like you taught me to?






What do I do when my hands are cold?
Who will take my hand in theirs and warm them like you did?
What do I do?
What do I do when no one can warm them like you?
Because no one can ever warm them like you.
No one can replace my White Grandpa.

What do I do when I no longer have the urge to run to your house to see you?
When I can no longer just open the door,
To find you laying on the couch as you're taking your nap
And just lying there,
Lying there with your cap blocking the light
So you can have a peaceful nap.
What do I do?

What do I do when you're just not there?
What do I do when I need you?
I'll just be sad.
I'll be sad because every little thing will have me thinking of you.
I will cry.
I will cry at every little detail 
That gives me the slightest remembrance of you.
But you taught me not to.
Not to cry.
Just sing.
But what do I do?
What do I do without you?
What do I do without my White Grandpa?

What He Did For Us

You would kneel on your knees and pick the weeds from your garden,
As we would play around on the grass by your flowers,
And when we would go to your tree,
Your guallava tree,
You would feed us your fruit,
You would give us your love,
And warm our hearts….
That's What You Did For Us.

But now you're gone,
The flowers are gone,
Your beautiful grass you spent your time on is nothing but old leaves,
Leaves that have fallen over time,
The lemon tree is nothing but cut up wood,
And I'm pretty sure the poor guallava tree follows,
But now there's no more of your love to receive,
Just an ache in our hearts you would once warm,
But it's okay
You've loved us enough to last a whole eternity,
We've received enough love and enough love to pass on forever,
Until we meet again someday,
I know that someday will come,
It'll come and we'll meet out creator,
The Father Almighty,
Then we'll rejoice,
And you will warm our hearts with more love than ever,
Just as you once did…
That's What You Did For Us

The Little Girl Who Was Only Five

She was only five.
She had a best friend. 
Her great-grandfather.
And great he was.
She called him White Grandpa.

She called him White Grandpa,
 Not because of his nationality,
But because his hair was white
And his beard was white
Such a silly thing to nickname someone
Especially if you're only five

So the story goes on,
He was her White Grandpa 
And she was his little Muchachita

He drove her to school
And walked her home
All in her first year of school
They say that's the year that counts, 
The year that matters most
Well indeed it did, He made it memorable
She now cries because she wishes she was only five

On her first day of him driving her to school 
He dropped her off, made sure she was fine
And she said her goodbyes

And the clock ticked and the bell rang,
It was time to be picked up
The little child, she who was only five, 
Waited and waited for her White Grandpa
And her White Grandpa waited and waited for his little Muchachita
But they each were waiting in the wrong spot
She waited patiently in the office,
And he waited with just as much patience 
Outside… In front of the school… Behind the gates…
Where he had dropped off his little Muchachita
  The little girl, she who was only five,
Had a great-grandmother 
Who worried about the whereabouts
Of her husband and great-granddaughter
So the predicament was all cleared out,
At the end of the day they were all fine 
They were just happy to be together 

And as the time passed,
As the years passed
The little girl who was only five
Didn't stay five
She just stayed close to her White Grandpa

But when God thought it was the right time,
Decided he needed another angel at his side
And so her White Grandpa became ill.
The little girl who was then fourteen,
Cried and mourned for her White Grandpa 
And every single day,
Every single DAMN day
His little Muchachita, 
Wished and wished
To be known as 
“The Little Girl Who Was  Only Five” again
Even if it was only for a day,
She missed,
With ALL her heart,
The great big smile of her
 White Grandpa.
Signed , 
The Little Girl Who Was Only Five
Her White Grandpa's Muchachita
Evelynn

I want to let my grandfather know how much I will miss his warm smile and the way he would make the most perfect homeade tortillas like none else. I will cherish all the wonderful memories of my grandfather and how he touched the hearts of everyone he came in contact with . I am happy that you are at peace now in heaven. You are our guardian angel that is watching over us. I love you soo much.

OBITUARY

Ramon Contreras

June 5, 1924 – November 5, 2014

Miller Mies Downey Mortuary

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