Arcelia Maria Moore

Arcelia Moore was a woman with big dreams, some of which might seem like fantasies or unreal aspirations to others. One of her greatest dreams that she accomplished was marrying her husband, an achievement she cherished deeply.

Ever since she was a young girl, she held a firm belief that she would one day marry an American. Her family and cousins would often laugh and mock her, calling her crazy, as Americans were rarely seen in Tecuala, Nayarit, the region of México where she was born. They were only figures in movies, distant and unreachable.

Life took an unexpected turn when her family moved to Mazatlán, Sinaloa, México during her teenage years. Shortly after relocating, she discovered that Mazatlán was a bustling port where many cruise ships and military vessels arrived weekly, including American ships with handsome sailors. Determined to fulfill her dream, she made it a ritual to stroll by the port every Sunday, hoping to find her American Prince.

However, fate had other plans, and her dream did not materialize in Mazatlán. During this time, a close friend of hers was living through a tragedy. Her friend's aunt, who was visiting from Tijuana, Baja California, was enjoying a day at the beach with her daughter and grandchildren. Suddenly, a wave pulled the kids deep into the ocean, and they could not be saved. The grandmother was devastated and nearly lost her sanity.

Given her mental state, the aunt could not travel back to Tijuana alone, and Arcelia's friend asked her to accompany the aunt as a traveling companion. Although Arcelia was afraid, having never been to Tijuana before, her friend convinced her by offering to pay her well. Arcelia agreed, seeing this as a chance to financially support her family. She anticipated being away for just a few days.

Upon arrival in Tijuana, the aunt grew fond of Arcelia and did not want her to leave. She offered Arcelia a job as a companion and caregiver for herself and her elderly husband. Arcelia accepted, recognizing it as an opportunity to provide for her family by sending them money.

Weeks went by, and Arcelia settled into her new role. One day, the aunt mentioned that her stepson would be visiting her and her husband. When this young man finally arrived, Arcelia was struck by his tall stature and blue eyes. She immediately knew she had found her American Prince, Eugene Moore. The rest, as they say, is history.

Arcelia always believed in God and her dreams. She often said, "Believe in your dreams, and someday they will become reality." She was a woman of faith and deeply devoted to the Virgen and the Saints. Her actions demonstrated her strong faith, living out the parable told by Jesus in the Gospel: "When I was hungry, you fed me; when I was naked, you gave me clothes; when I didn't have shelter, you gave me a roof. When you did this to the least of my brothers, you did it for me."

Throughout her life, Arcelia embodied these principles with no regrets. She helped the less fortunate, offering her home, food, and care to those in need. She was blessed with three children: two sons, and a daughter—and her favorite son-in-law. Later, she was blessed with eight grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. She played a key role in raising not only her own children but also her grandchildren, who all have fond memories of the time spent with her.

The moral of Arcelia’s life story is to dream big, believe in your dreams, have faith in God, and be giving, even if people might call you crazy.