Bob’s Blog

From the first time I met Joe, I knew he was not ordinary, by any means.

Born in Texas, Joe was raised in a small town called Cuero in the “straight and narrow”.
A proud Tex-Mex Hispanic that can still recall the old simple ways of life,
Joe can still verbally state the old Spanish “Dichos” – old sayings that his Grandpa used to tell him.
He is very proud of his close beautiful family, most especially, Sylvia, his wife.

Early on, he learned to wire houses, lay carpet; paint, put roofs on houses,
Working different jobs, just to make ends meet and provide for family back when.
All throughout this, he worked for the State for twenty-six years.
I was told that Joe never failed to amaze folks, even back then.

When Joe retired from the State, he was not one to sit at home and dally.
We hired him and he came to work for the feds as our modern day “Columbo”,
I clearly recall the time in a US Attorney’s office, Joe arguing a case and leaving everyone speechless,
With a closing argument better than the best Harvard lawyer, that most certainly was not routine!

Our “no middle name” or “just plain” Joe, is none of that, for sure,
Recalling funny moments, wearing two pair of glasses; his funny jokes and times at play.
Or the times he’d clumsily knock his head on overhead cabinet doors.
When not in, you can bet the office is most certainly quiet on that day!

Certainly, I’ve been blessed by knowing great folks like Joe in my life,
I can also surely vouch that Joe is no ordinary Joe, by any means!

Robert Collazo, 2/11/10

Non-Fiction, Poetry

Pete was my “Primo-Hermano”, which according to our Mexican tradition,
Literally translates as, “Cousin-Brother”, which is how I felt about him.
He was the first Collazo grandson, and so very proud of that fact.
Pete would say to us younger cousins, that he recalled PaPa Gerardo Collazo,
Picking him up and riding atop his big shoulders,.
I imagine what a sight that must have been, and we were all in awe of him.

As the “elder” Collazo cousin, we all got guidance from him.
Pete would give it to you “straight”, and not beat around the bush,
Would give you clear advice; no matter the price.
He was definitely a man of principles and honor, no matter what.

A few years ago, I recall Pete was in the hospital pretty sick.
In a coma-like state for a few weeks, and when he finally came out of it,
He stated that he had met the Lord;
That the Almighty was a great big Black “Person”, with a loud, booming voice,
Who told him it was not his time, to go back home, and wait later for his reward.

While in that coma, we didn’t know if he could actually hear us.
Nevertheless, we would read and talk to him.
When he finally came out of it, I asked him if he recalled our readings and talks,
Pete stated he wasn’t sure about actually hearing me, he declared,
But he knew for certain what we said, and he felt our presence there!

This very day Pete is with the Lord and in spiritual grace, and peace.
Hanging out with his Son, David, at his side,
Both are visiting with all our Collazo relatives of old.
So, let us keep Pete in our hearts; and don’t be sad or be dismayed,
For we know that we will all see him again one day.

Bob Collazo, Jr.  12/9/09.

Gail/Kyle – This is dedicated to you both.  Keep in touch.  Love you,  Bob

Non-Fiction, Poetry

Non-Fiction, Poetry

Elsa is a mother and grandma, and has quite a fulfilling life.
Likes the finer things in life, I’m quite sure, as anyone would.
She’s also a great wife,
Is married to an Argentinean, a tennis freak, but it’s rumored, that he is quite good.

Elsa does things to stay young, fit, and is really quite a catch,
Stays active with dancing all those “sombas”!
Has a Son in Dubais, a teacher, who is very close to finding his life-long match,
To a great Daughter and Grandkid, that keeps her running; aye caramba!

Elsa loves going to Broadway shows and doing things at the Met.
Of course, the Giants is the team she pursues,
And I, being from Dallas, still owe her money, losing a few bets,
Since you know which team have won the last few.

As first cousins, we do strive to stay close, and in touch.
Even though we live far apart, and pretty far away,
We both know that we share a special “Collazo” bond, and as such,
Like our Dads, who were Brothers, we are family; & this will last forever and a day!

Robert Collazo, 10/10/09.  Mi Prima – con mucho carino!

Non-Fiction, Poetry

From a little town in Mexico, and humble beginnings, he came,
As a kid working in migrant fields, he and his family would spend every six months of the year there.
Jose recalled what his Dad kept saying that if he didn’t do well in class,
He’d work the migrant fields all his life; and oh, what despair!

How does one get out of the migrant fields, you ask?
Jose knew the answer was by not getting detoured by life’s challenges, and tasks.
Through hard work and education, he calculated that this was the key
He just knew that in those California fields, that was not where he wanted to be.

Jose finally concluded that with good grades, the fields he could soon replace
With some sort of science and engineering career.
But when he heard about the first Hispanic American that had been selected to fly in space,
He got inspired to work for NASA, and knew he’d be an astronaut one day.

Recalling all his tired, dusty days of his youth, he yearned for knowledge.
He studied hard, made good grades, and eventually got a scholarship to college.
With his engineer degree, to NASA, He applied for 12 straight years,
When the day finally came when Jose was finally chosen to be an astronaut;
I bet he could hear the cheers among all his family and peers!

Jose Hernandez, Shuttle Discovery Astronaut/Engineer!

Jose – from one American of Mexican descent to another, you inspire and make me so proud of my Mexican heritage!

Robert Collazo, 10/6/09.

Non-Fiction, Poetry

We don’t call him Jimmy or Jim; he won’t go for that.
Because it’s just James, he’d say.
He is a great partner to have, with good street smarts for his age.
A patient man, he won’t lose his cool, even when you try to rattle his cage.

He hails from a little town called Sweeny.
An incredibly loyal guy down to a tee,
But just when you think you know him though
He’ll throw you a curve, everyone agrees.

As a kid, most folks don’t know,
He dressed up and got himself painted green for Halloween.
Trick-or-treating as the “Incredible Hulk”, his favorite of all time,
But the paint wouldn’t wash off that night,
The next day, went to school still shiny and green; and boy, he says, what a delight!

Recently, James lost his Grandpa, a man close to his heart, I know
He told me this man was very good to him and had taught him
About all the good things, and what life would bestow.
Our sympathy, thoughts and prayers to our brother James in his time of need,
and, of course, we wish his Grandpa Godspeed.

Robert Collazo, 10/3/09

Non-Fiction, Poetry

Thinking back today after thirty-six years, the day was a Sunday.
Her labor had started on Friday night, very much to our dismay,
For She was only in her seventh month of term.
And it was much too early for our Son to be born.

I can still recall that El Paso night we went in,
It was clear and cool, and there was something in the wind.
As a young man of twenty-one, were my hopes and fears but a whim?
How would I best provide and care for him?

The miracle that occurred after two days of labor, was that he was born alive that day.
Two months a “preemie”, however we were so proud and very blessed,
Even though the doctors said his survival was a long shot at best.
That he would survive, and live to be okay, we prayed, for surely that would be our quest.

By now you know that the Man upstairs answered our prayers that day.
Thinking back on it now, it was more like a sweet fragrant bouquet when we finally saw his little face.
For we never could we have imagined thirty-six years ago,
That our  Son would change our lives forever that day, enriching it so in such a great, big way!

Robert Collazo, 9/30/09.  Happy Birthday, Son!  We love you…

Non-Fiction, Poetry

Seems like only yesterday; well, maybe not.
But looking back, Javier reminded me that it was a long time ago
When he and I both worked in that chicken plant in a USDA spot.
The seventies had not ended, and the twin towers were still a jewel.
Yes, we worked hard; but times were simple and very cool.

In what now seems to be a long ago time ago, we were young, foolish, & just trying to get ahead.
Both of us thought we knew what we wanted at the time.
To get out of that noise and grime in that place we did dread.
We both hoped to get promoted, to build a successful career & up the ladder we hoped to climb,
I wasn’t quite sure of what the future held, but knew if I stayed in that plant, I’d soon be brain dead.

Looking back, I think
Realize now that I should have taken more time to listen to God’s Master Plan.
Where back then, all we thought about was making overtime and how much beer we could drink.
But was that really the measure of a man?
I don’t believe, but did not know it at the time.

Realize now that something kept telling us to keep plugging away & that it would all be alright,
We knew we had to figure it out ourselves,
What the Man upstairs already knew.
That his measure, his legacy, his worth, is much more than what we thought of back then in that long-ago time.
It’s very good that my long-time friend would remind me of this, and of what we both pursued that is now so sublime.

Robert Collazo, 9/18/09.  sublime = inspiring

Non-Fiction, Poetry

Being from a large extended hispanic (third-generation American family), we are very proud of our heritage.   My Dad grew up in a household of 10 boys, and one girl.  You always hear stories that American families have always been very patriotic and have gone off to fight wars very willingly for the love of their country.  The stories and movies have all played on this – “Saving Private Ryan”, and others.  However, this is one of those stories where no other American family could be more proud of their own; and I want future generations of Collazo families to know what their past generations went through…. I want the world to know that during World War II, my Dad’s three older brothers, Pete, Rudy, and Ignacio, were part of the “Greatest Generation”, who went off to fight for their country, and we salute them!

Now, what are the odds that two brothers joining the service, one going into the Army and one going into the Air Force, would each join the service in Laredo, Texas, and then meet each other – three years later half way around the world in the Philippines?  That was exactly what happened to two of my uncles during World War II!  I’d say that was a miracle.  Was this a chance encounter?  How did this happen?  I will try to obtain more information to this very interesting true story.  Stay tuned for more updates on this!

Non-Fiction

We buried Ted Kennedy today, and are again, faced with sadness,
I say, thank God, that at least he was a grandfather, where his brothers did not live long enough to enjoy that experience.
It seems at least there was not as much pain as in the earlier tragedies,
For he lived a complete full life, and somehow I am lifted to know that.
Watching all the eulogies, it seemed he did more than most.

Could it be that he fulfilled what his Brothers could not?

I am reminded again of the great work started by JFK and Bobby, why had we forgotten?
It seems good that so many came to say goodbye while Teddy was in repose;
So fitting that all three brothers be laid to rest so close.
Gives me comfort in knowing that he is together once again with all his family,
At the helm of his boat at sea with them and can now roam.

So sail on Teddy, you’ve done well for your family & country,
Charter your course, and sail on, sail on home.

Robert Collazo, 8/29/09.

Non-Fiction