No Greater Sacrifice: A Son's Model to Success

By Armando L. Garcia

This story proves that there is such a thing as the "American Dream". It is about a mother, Dolores L. Garcia, a courageous lady who believed in herself and her children. It is also the story of a five year old boy who under her guidance began selling limes in a street corner in Laredo, Texas and became very successful in the meat industry and in real estate. Their beginning was no different than many others in the predominantly Hispanic community. However, most families were so busy making ends meet that they couldn't get out of the vicious cycle they found themselves in. Luckily, Dolores had a three part formula to succeed: work hard, plan for the future, never let go of your dreams. This plan gave a five year old boy great success.

Dolores became a widow when she was thirty years old. She had ten children, including a set of twins in ages from newborn to a 13 year old. Because her husband was a good provider to her and her children, Dolores led a very sheltered life. Because her husband did most of the shopping, she did not even know how to buy groceries. She lived in government-assisted housing and worked two jobs from 6:00 to midnight to make ends meet. Within five years, she bought a house and a car. The spirit and strengths she possessed she passed to her seven daughters and her two year old son, the author of this book. All of her children became successful and they utilized their God-given gifts. They applied all the guidance and life lessons that their mother passed on to them. This is a story that will affect every reader and help them cope in facing adversity.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Mar 23, 2010
• ISBN: 9781449093976

Armando L. Garcia

He was born and raised in Laredo, Texas.  USAF Veteran.  He graduated from Martin High School in Laredo.  He graduated from Laredo Junior College with an Associate Degree in Business.  At the age of six he started working during weekends, during summer school vacations, and at every opportunity he had.  The jobs were many.  They ranged from harvesting watermelons and melons as a field worker, selling limes from his own stand in downtown Laredo, shining shoes, cleaning cattle pens at Laredo Packing Company and delivering meat.  At the age of twelve he started working at the local Meat Packing Company while at the same time going to school.  In 1963, he joined the U.S. Air Force and served his country for four years. In l967 he was honorably discharged and enrolled at Laredo Junior College.  At the same time, he worked full time at Laredo Packing Company.   Since 1982, he has owned and operated a Meat Trading Company.  He is the owner of a Real Estate Company and has a Real Estate License. He is an active real estate investor.  He is married and has four children, four grandchildren and one great granddaughter.  He and his wife are very active in their community.  

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AuthorHouse™

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.authorhouse.com

Phone: [phone]

© 2010 Armando L. Garcia. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 3/19/2010

ISBN: 978-1-4490-9397-6 (e)

ISBN: 978-1-4490-9395-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4490-9396-9 (hc)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2010902740

Bloomington, Indiana

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Prologue

Chapter 1. Starting On The Path Of Success

Chapter 2. Learning Business Skills From The Best

Chapter 3. Shaping My Future

Chapter 4. Learning Discipline Is Not Easy

Chapter 5. Experiencing The Art Of Negotiation

Chapter 6. Becoming An Entrepreneur

Chapter 7. Enjoying The Benefit Of Hard Work

Chapter 8. My Hero’s Gone But Not Forgotten

In memory of my mother, Dolores Longoria Marroquin Garcia. Her inspiration and never-ending encouragement allowed me to dream big and reach for the stars.

This book is also dedicated to my seven sisters, Yolanda, Amanda, Norma, Lolly, Hilda, Ana Marie, and Marie Eugenia. As children, we held hands with one another for support and to cope with all kinds of adversity. Through the years, the steady lifeline we built has continued to define the true meaning of family unity. Only we know the road we have travelled together.

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Mother at age eleven

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Mother at age seventy

Acknowledgements

A little over a year ago, I set out to record the story of the Dolores Longoria Marroquin Garcia family. Because of its emotional nature, it was tough at times to recall the past. However, in more ways than one, it was a tremendously rewarding experience. I did not do it alone.

Heartfelt thanks are due to a number of people. First of all, I wish to thank my mother. She and I spent many hours of quality time talking about the many happy and unhappy events that make up our story. Still, since most of our sessions were filled by her great sense of humor, we tended to laugh more than cry as we relived those times. Although Mother died before I finished the book, I believe she would be very pleased with our joint efforts.

Equally important, the book would not have been possible had it not been for the tremendous help I received from my sisters. Words cannot describe the sense of comfort and joy that I feel as their brother. I thank them all from the bottom of my heart for their love, contributions, and support.

I want to thank my nephew Marcos (Mark) Garza for working on the picture on page (xii) of mother and me (age 6) walking on the street of Laredo, Texas.

In August 2008, I decided to start writing Mother’s story. I contacted Betty Taylor, and she graciously agreed to help me write it. I am very grateful for and appreciate her help, since that got me started. Unfortunately, in November, due to conflicts on both of our schedules, she was unable to continue assisting me. As a result, I put everything on hold. Then in May of 2009, through recommendations from friends in Laredo, Texas, I got in touch with Jose Antonio Joe Lopez, who immediately agreed to assist me. Proving that it is truly a small world, we turned out to be high school classmates (MHS Class of ’62). He put all of my notes together, and in a few weeks, produced the first complete manuscript. My deepest gratitude goes to my good friend Joe for his hard work and encouragement in making this book a reality.

Very special thanks go to my wonderful and lovely wife, Beverly. She has been with me every step of the way. Also, her computer know-how proved to be invaluable as we neared completion. I could not have done it without her calm persistence, understanding, and love.

Armando Garcia

October 2009

Prologue

Of Heroes Who Smell Delightfully and Walk Tall

Some heroes don’t come with a long history. They just become heroes. Also, heroes don’t always have to be men. Many women also deserve the honor. Webster’s Dictionary defines a heroine as a woman of outstanding courage, nobility, or of heroic achievements. My mother, Dolores Longoria Marroquin Garcia, certainly fits the definition.

I lost my father when I was three years old, so, for as long as I can remember, my hero has been my mother. She stood five feet, nine inches tall without heels. She never wore slacks; she wore dresses, suits, and skirts. As such, she demonstrated the flair, style, and confidence of a noble lady. At the same time, she possessed the inner toughness needed to single-handedly raise my seven sisters and me.

She had a delicate, porcelain complexion framed by long tresses of wavy, jet black hair, later to be highlighted by a stream of gray. Her fair skin and dark hair seemed unaccomplished without the signature beauty mark on the right side between her mouth and cheek. The sparkle of her hazel eyes revealed a soul ready for any challenge. Her head and shoulders always focused forward in a dignified manner and complemented her walk; a gracious walk, full of pride and strength. She was a classic beauty and a classy lady.

I feel blessed that I was able to spend so much time with my mother in my early years. However, there is something else that I fondly remember. Time is the most precious of all gifts shared between parent and child. Perhaps that feeling can only be impressed upon the memory of a six-year-old boy who walked to work with his mother early every morning. Sorry to say, I always thought she would always be that strong, nurturing mother I remember as that six-year-old boy of so many years ago. Sadly, my mother suffered from Alzheimer’s before her death, and so that is the reason that I feel robbed of time. I only wish my sisters and I would have been granted a little more time with her.

She was a positive thinker. For those who have ever faced disappointment when trying to find the door of opportunity, her Yes, you can motto should inspire them and offer a sign of hope. Personally, her words of encouragement, Mijito, do not worry. I know you will be successful, have kept me going through my own tough times.

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Mother and I walking,

downtown Laredo, Texas

All that I am today I owe to my mother. She was the greatest role model my sisters could have ever asked for. All that they were able to accomplish was because of her. It was the same thing for me. From my early days as a young businessman facing both professional and personal obstacles, my mother’s solid work ethic molded my career. Her wisdom has led me to a very successful career. I would not have made it without her guidance.

This is the story of my mother, my heroine. With help from my sisters, it is told through my eyes as I lived with and felt her never-ending love for her children. Gracias, Mamá.

Armando Garcia

Chapter 1

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Starting On The Path Of Success

My mother, Dolores Longoria Marroquin Garcia, was born in Monterrey, Mexico, on August 10, 1913. Her mother worked as a housekeeper for a wealthy family there. When my mother was about seven years old, she and her family moved to Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, across the Rio Grande from Laredo, Texas. It was at this early age that my mother learned to face adversity. Arriving in a strange town with no extended family or close friends and having to look for employment, my grandmother had to place my mother in an orphanage. It was here that my mother spent her formative years. Mother would later attend a private high school in Monterrey. It was there where she learned to speak English.

According to my sister Lolly, who is two years older than me, Mother would also learn shorthand and typing. She loved music and learned about music. She was exposed to a lot of good things, nice things.

It was in the orphanage that my mother met Pablo Garcia, my father. The two became U.S. citizens and married in 1928. She was fifteen, and he was seventeen. He was a tall, slender man who had a natural talent for learning skills and trades. He, too, would come to know about some of the finer things in life: a well-set table, a formal sit-down meal, and ensuring that his wife and children were well-dressed and cared for. That is why he was constantly trying to make things better for us by taking on a number of part-time occupations. As talented as he was, all that my father learned came from observation.

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Father at age thirteen

My father was a self-taught master chef. However, he had also learned to be a painter, an interior decorator, upholsterer, and all-around handy man. Mother and my sisters say that there was nothing he couldn’t fix or at least try his hand at fixing. He had a sense of wonder of how things worked. His creative restlessness defined a man obsessed with excellence. It might be that these skills were rooted in his early years growing up in an orphanage without a home of his own.

My father was a dreamer with great hopes for the future. He had decided very early in life that, to make it in life, he had to do it himself. He knew the importance of observing, learning, and soaking in all that he could. I believe that he learned new skills for two main reasons; as a way to succeed and as a means of survival. It was a practice that would come