CHICO’S LEGACY

Chico means small in Spanish. My uncle and godfather was the namesake of his father, but growing up in Mexico he was referred to as “Chico” to differentiate him. The nickname stuck for the rest of his life.

He passed early in 2024 , in the cold of a New Mexico winter. His family honored him with a memorial this summer to allow all who wanted to attend to have better weather

It was a gathering of relatives and friends who showed up for a weekend to celebrate his life

He always had a smile for you and a hug and a compliment. And an innate ability to make others feel good

As I looked around the group, it was interesting how all of us were made to feel special by him every time we saw him. Did we do the same for him? I do not know because I was always thinking how good I felt being around him

In listening to stories we shared about our own interactions with him, it became painfully obvious we were all sharing moments created by this person’s willingness to listen, to be interested in us , and to transmit sincerity

Too often when we keep score in life, we make it about how much money we accumulate, or the material possessions we have.

Chico was not about that. To him the measure of a person was not about material possessions but rather about what was inside and that is a rare trait nowadays

Sure, he could have accumulated material wealth, but his legacy, the people he touched, how can you place a value on that?

As I reflect on the time I spent with him I realize he was always teaching me how to be a better person by example not by lecturing, and I will be grateful for him always.

How privileged to have been able to see how many lives were improved by his being involved however small it may have appeared.

Chico means small, but he was anything but . I will remember the group of people who congregated at his memorial and how grateful they were to have shared. Part of their lives with him. What better legacy?