A Great Battle Raging
There is a great battle raging: for my mouth not to harden and my jaw not to become like heavy doors of an iron safe, so my life may not be called pre-death.
~ Israeli Poet Yehuda Amichai
Mom was born, Diana Emily Roman, in 1944. She was one of 13 children, of which 9 survived into adulthood (six girls and three boys, including a set of twins). My grandfather passed away when my mother was only 5 years of age, so my grandmother was the one to take on this large family, single handedly. Fortunately, when my mother was five, she had older siblings already married and ready to raise their own families. That left my mom with actually a much larger number of fathers and mothers, and a smaller number of brothers and sisters, at least by roles within the family.
From top left to right, we have the baby Rosiland, and second in line my mother. Next is Josie, Nilda, Nelva, and Betty.
In the bottom row we have John and his twin brother Rene (diseased) and the oldest in the family Francis (diseased).
The family has shared many trials and many joys in their lives. Each of the siblings has married and/or had children of their own. Many now have grandchildren and great grandchildren to be excited for in their own achievements.
They are a family that has proven, that against all the odds, one can become better then one’s social upbringing. The women of the Roman Family are a true matriarchy, leading with strength and compassion, and insuring the family bond. Of course, I am not one for too much matriarchy, and thus the clash, but I love each and every one with a love that will never leave them far from my prayers.
My mother married, on May 15, 1965, I was born 7 short months later. (You figure that one out!) She would go on to raise her own family of one husband and three children. I tend to think that she did a pretty good job at it. Never-the-less, her family remains close to her heart. In April 1984, her mother, Carmen Pilar Roman, passed away from this earth, but never from her memories. Pilar was a simple person, who lived by simple means, but she left a wealth behind within her children, their families, and friends.
Enjoy this piece of memory from early 1971 – 72: My mother and father with my baby brother in tow. I am the one holding my baby sister’s hand. My grandmother, Pilar, joins us, in one of the few pictures with all of us (grandmother included) together as a family.
I think that too often we forget to cherish such moments. We act as though, if not today, then… perhaps tomorrow. For some, tomorrow never comes. We should be ready to cherish today… forget tomorrow.
My Mom…
There really is no one I know with a bigger heart. Sure, like many mothers, she worries too much and sometimes, less gently then at other times, adds her 2 cents into the business of others, much as I or you do, but perhaps with a little more love added in. And, there is no doubt that my mother could bend truth, twist assumed realities, and conjure make believe, in telling her tales and life long adventures. But then again, where else do you think I could have gained such traits in my own life. 
The truth be said, I know no one else, quite like my mother, and I hold a very special place for her in my heart. She is my parent, my mentor, my best friend, and one of the few living beings I would call my personal hero. She is strong, when others would quickly break. She gives, even when she does not have. She loves a person for who they are at the center of their soul, often putting aside anything else that might have been to others a dirty secret, a hidden dark place.
I thank my mother for much of who I am today. I has taught me to have heart. She has taught me to have a soul. And, many years ago, it was my mother who taught me that hate was nothing more than wasted energy. Today, I could not hate the worst of beings, and THAT is due in large part to this beautiful being that my creator blessed me with the opportunity to call – MOM.
Hi all. Today is Al’s 27th birthday. He isn’t a day under 50…
We are a happy lot!
Hello friends and family…
Here I hope, over time, to include my adventures with graduating from Brandman University, my trip to San Francisco, new experiences with California Institute of Integral Studies and my Psy.D. Clinical Psychology program, and all the many other adventures that are bound to come my way. I hope that over time, you will find enjoyment here.
Thank you… John-Richard