From the Journal of Elia B.

Last week Mario's nana passed. I don't have the words yet to reflect on all of what that means, but I wanted to share the journal that she kept briefly that I transcribed. I left the text as close to the original as possible because the small things we might see as errors are also little moments that made me think about her. I pray for her family as we continue to figure out what life will be like now that she is gone. Here's what Elia had to say...

From the Journal of Elia B. Zatarian
2/9/99 Here it is Feb. the 9th and I finally feel I’ve got my wits together enough to start this journal (with dad & Sam’s illnesses).
I want to dedicate it to Kelly, my favorite and one and only grand-daughter “in law”. I really appreciate your thoughtful and caring, loving personality. You’re one of the sweetest persons in our lives.
I was really moved to think someone actually cared to know something about me.

2/9/99 Describe your first “crush”. Describe him/her.
His name was Jackie Moran, and we were in the 6th Grade. I remember thinking how cute he was. He had curly light brown hair and big blue eyes & long eye lashes. All the girls had crushes on him, but I was the “lucky” one he walked home from school every day. We walked all the way from Sherman Elementary School 18th & L St. to 2059 National Ave. A mile and a half every day. (holding hands of course). Then one of the girls, Eunice (who had a crush on him too) reported the fact I lived out of the district, so I had to transfer schools and I never saw Jackie again. Needless to say I was heartbroken. Boo-hoo. But I survived. (This was fun, I can hardly wait til tomorrow to do the next one). Thanks Kelly.

2/10/99
As a child, what kinds of sports did you play? What is your favorite sport to watch? Why?
Age 10 we used to play marbles, spin tops, yo-yo’s, and skating, kick the can & Red Rover. We also played baseball. I loved playing baseball until I sprained my finger trying to catch a ball. Then I was afraid to catch.
I learned acrobatics in jr high that was fun. I was pretty good, but my sister Molly was great. She was double jointed & did splits, too.
I loved watching baseball and football in high school. I also enjoyed Pop Warner Football and Little League baseball while Marc was playing. Loved Track when Sammy ran. I loved it because my kids were playing.

2/13/99 What was the first piece of furniture you bought?
First piece of furniture was a hi fi radio record player combination. In 1943 or 44. It was a beautiful cabinet. We were proud of it. At that time the records were 78’s. We had a collection of all the big bands and of course Frank Sinatra. We had every record he ever made.

2/14/99 As a child, what color was your house, your bedroom, your living or family room? Describe your favorite if you lived more than one place.
We lived in so many different houses, I have no recollection of the color of my room or color of houses. My favorite house was the one on National Ave. It was a large two story home with a huge living room, dining room, and a great fireplace. The second story had a balcony and we used to sit out there and sing and look at the stars.

2/16/99 What makes you feel good? Do you have a “comfort food”? What is it?
Sitting out in the warm sunshine. Having my house nice and clean. Being in the company of my family. My comfort food must be chocolate Hershey’s kisses and Snickers Bar. I especially feel good when I know everything is going well with my children.

Do you and your mother share an interest in any special activity or hobby? What is it?
My mother lived to the ripe age of 99 was from the “old school.” She was a hard working woman, she enjoyed crocheting and embroidery work. Taught all her daughters to crochet and embroider.

2/22/99 In what kind of extracurricular activities did you participate in school?
I was in the Glee Club at Memorial, also the Drama Club, CSF. I was in a play. I was in the “Blue Bird.” I was A.S.B. President.

2/23/99 As a youngster, what was your favorite dress/outfit? As a youth?
At age 11 I had what I thought was a beautiful red dress with white polka dots. It was made of organza or organdy, A-Line with a full skirt. I felt like a princess in it. At about 13 I had a brown form fitting pant suit (a hand me down, I’m sure) but I felt so svelte and good in it. I wore it for all special occasions. Actually it was the only decent outfit I had. At 14 I worked as a waitress (Whitney dept store). During the summer, I was able to buy all my school clothes. It felt so good to have new clothes to start school with. I kept those skirts and sweaters forever. I hated to part with them.

What are you father’s most memorable traits? Which of his traits do you share?
My father was such a hard working man. My brother Robert used to say, Dad’s like a beast of burden working hard, never complaining, never asking for anything for himself, everything he did was for his family. He always planted a garden so we always had plenty of fruits and vegetables. My parents had quite a few parties and I remember my dad dancing and making everyone laugh, except my mom. She was a very serious no-nonsense kind of lady. Dad was very affectionate with us kids but my mom always put a stop to us sitting on his lap. I never quite understood that. I guess I take my responsibilities seriously as she did.

Tell about the birth or adoption of your first child or a niece or nephew. Tell about births or adoptions of all your children, or tell a special story about the birth or adoption of a child in your extended family.
My labor pains started while sitting in a theater. The poor lady sitting in front of me was getting irritated because every time I got a contraction, I would push on the back of her seat. In the hospital I was embarrassed because the male nurse was someone (Art) from our neighborhood and I had to keep running to the bathroom in those flappy hospital gowns. After 28 hours of labor Jeanne was born. what a beautiful baby. I thought her dad would be disappointed because she wasn’t a boy, but he was thrilled. Her initial stood for Junior Elia Sammy.
With Sammy I labored three days very light at first but the last day was a killer. His dad got leave from the army to be with us, hah he partied every night, even broke the baby bed (some drunk fell on it).
With Marc I started labor at 8:30. I told Ming not to rush home. I had plenty of time. Luckily he ignored me and rushed home. Thank God we just made it to the hospital with only minutes to spare.
With Cory I did a lot of praying because at 3 mos. of pregnancy they couldn’t feel a heartbeat. The x-rays showed just a glob (as they called it). At that time abortion was illegal, thank God, because at about 5 months I felt movement but the doctor was very pessimistic. My mom also prayed to Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Socorro). That’s why we named her Socorro. I had picked the name Andrea but my mom (without my knowledge) had promised that if she was born healthy, I would name the baby Socorro after the saint “Our Lady of Perpetual Help”. Thank God she was a girl!

Are you a good letter writer? With whom do you like to correspond?
I am the world’s worst letter writer. Funny though, during the war I used to write at least 10 letters a week to all my friends in the service, all the kids we’d grown up with. I used to enjoy writing my cousin Lisa in Arizona. Now the only corresponding we do is in the notes we put in our Christmas card. I enjoy hearing from my former neighbors, too.

2/27/99 If you could be an animal, which would you choose? Why?
A cat, because they are so independent and can fend for themselves.
Where would you most like to go on a vacation? Why?
Mexico and see the pyramids. Also La Paz B.C. to see where my mother was born. Also Chihuahua where my father was born.

3/1/99 Do you remember any special feelings you had a child? Describe your fears and fantasies, etc.
I remember hating to come home from school to an empty, dark house. My mother always kept the shades down and our furniture was always covered. At one time I wanted to be a nurse, then I thought it would be fun to be a secretary. My craziest fantasy was I wanted to be a movie star.

1/2/2/01

It has been a long time since I’ve taken time to write in this journal. We are starting a new year, so I promise myself I’ll get with it again.

1/2/01 What is your personal secret to happiness?
This always brings to mind what Lincoln said, “A man’s as happy as he makes up his mind to be.” Or something like that. I have no secret. I just try to make the best of things that happen, of course I stew and carry on when things go wrong. But after all is said and done (ranting and raving), I try to calm down, talk things over with whoever will listen (now that I don’t have Molly). But then I turn it over to God, and trust in him.

Tell about the house(s) in which you lived as a child. Do you remember any addresses or phone numbers?
The first house I can remember was on Franklin Ave. We lived next to the Benekos Family, the Stavros’s, Biancos’, and the Rose family. House #2 was on 17th & Imperial til age 11. I went to Sherman Elementary. House #3 was on National Ave. 2059 National Ave. #4 Market Ave. #5 in Encanto. #6 Kearney Ave. #7 2084 National.

Tell about school: list special teachers, classes, friends, activities, humorous situations, achievements, etc.
My favorite teacher was Miss Love, my kindergarten teacher. She was so sweet and patient. Next was my 6th grade teacher, Mr. Woodruff. He was so positive and encouraging. He wanted me to sing for our class and all I would get out was a squeak. Most embarrassing! Then in junior high, the meanest teacher in school treated me so nice. I got teased and called Teacher’s Pet (and worse). In 9th grade I was a member of CSF (Calif. Scholarship Fed.). As presented of the Student Body (ASB), I remember how I hated to get up in front of the whole school to announce the programs. Why & how I ran and won I’ll never understand. My most embarrassing moment was when I played the part of the fairy god mother in the “The Blue Bird.” As the bad witch (hook nose, hat & all). The lights go off (I drop the witch costume and I have a beautiful white formal and princess crown). My line was, “Am I pretty or ugly?” The boys from our neighborhood yelled “Ugly!” Laughter. I could have died, then the lights went on, and everyone said ah; and applauded. I was vindicated!

1/3/01 Describe the downtown of your childhood at Christmas time.
We could always count on a sack under our bed with nuts, Christmas candy, an apple, and an orange, and one gift. I remember getting a baby doll one Christmas. I must have been 11 or 12. Another Christmas a pair of skates.

List each one of your uncles and aunts and tell one thing about each of them.
Uncle Charles is the only uncle I ever met. He and Aunt Marie (his wife, my father’s sister) used to drive down from Brawley 2 or 3 times a year. It was always so much fun playing with our cousins. Uncle Charles was a big blue eyed German and was very playful. Too playful, he’d squeeze you til it hurt. My aunt was very petite. She always wore spike heels and form fitting dresses. She was built like Dolly Parton. She was so nice and very intelligent. I can remember her and my dad arguing politics. She was a die hard republican and hated F.D. Roosevelt.

1/8/01 What are your favorite foods?
Enchiladas are my favorite food, but none taste as good as my mothers used to. Next is hot fudge sundae and See’s chocolate. I also like Prime Rib from Black Angus.

Where would you most like to live? Why?
I’m perfectly happy right here where I am. But it would be nice to have a place with a view or by the ocean, or river.

Have you ever been camping?
We used to camp quite a bit when Marc & Cory were younger. As soon as they became teenagers it all ended. It was hard for me to learn how to relax, do nothing, and enjoy nature. It was great after I learned to RELAX. The kids always had a ball, especially Marc because there were always more kids his age than Cory’s.

Tell about all of the places you have worked.
At age 14 I worked at Whitney’s as a waitress at the food counter. I enjoyed a lot of my friends used to come in to eat. I bought my own school clothes that year. I still remember all the clothes I bought. I worked at Grand Rapids in the jewelry counter one Xmas season. Worked one night in a penny arcade but quit because I was expected to call out to customers to come play. One day in a jewelry store that wanted me to go out and bring customers in that were looking in the windows. I worked at Glenn’s Drive Inn (that was an eye opener). I saw the seamy side of life some of those car hops (wow). I then worked at a drive in movie theater for a while. That was hard because I was trying to go to a business school at the same time. In 1951, I went to work for Harris & Frank in the Credit Office. Then I worked at North Island as a Dispatcher for 6 years. After I had Marc & Cory I started working for City Schools. Stayed there til I retired.

1/15/01 Describe your mother. Tell about her personality, characteristics, stature, coloring, talents, temperament, family stories about her, the role she played in your home.
My mother was very fair. Most people thought she was German. She was a beautiful young woman but I remember her as a large woman as I was growing up. She was very strict and a no nonsense kind of woman. Her mother died when she was very young. She was raised by an aunt on a ranch called La Bahina in La Paz. She was married at age 13 to a 35 year old man, Sosa. They came to S.D. before 1910. He was involved with Pancho Villa and she helped make flags for “Los Dorados.” They embroidered “Pan, Tierra, y Libertad” on them. He left her for another woman (he was a womanizer). Then she met my dad. He worked on their farm in Gardena. She and my dad and her 4 children moved to El Centro. They traveled by covered wagon.

What advice would you give to those who are younger than you?
Count your blessings. Enjoy every day to the fullest. Don’t fret over what’s past. Enjoy today and have hope for the future.

What games did you play in your house or neighborhood?
We played kick the can, Red Rover, Hide & Go Seek, Marbles, Mother May I?, Jump Rope, Baseball, Tops, Jacks, and as we got older we played “Spin the Bottle” and “Mail Man.”

6/20/02 Describe the philosophy of your parents for raising children.
Definitely “Spare the Rod and Spoil the Child!” They were very strict and no nonsense kind of people. they had to work so hard to survive. I think they were anxious for us all to grow up and get married and out of the house.

10/29/02 Did you go to college or receive any vocational training? When and where?
No.

10/28/02 Describe your wedding dress, bridesmaid dresses, etc. or describe a dress you wore for a special occasion.
Second wedding I wore an aqua knit dress, very popular in the 50’s. My favorite dresses were a ice blue princess style dress, very form fitting and a black drape style dress. Sexy then, not now.

Describe your fears, expectations, anticipation about getting married.
The first time I didn’t have a clue what to expect. Probably romance and togetherness. Ha, what a farce. Love forever. Ha ha. Second time I knew I had a good family man who loved me and my children.

How do you feel about the value of education- formal and informal?
Invaluable.

3/13/04 Tell about your social life as a teenager. Who were some of your friends? Describe some of your favorite activities.
My teenage years were fun. There were a lot of kids my age. There was Mary Lou J. (my best friend), Rosie B, Georgio, Bessie D, Doris H, Joe & Tony F, Sam S., Bud H., Bud D., Jimmie N. I belonged to the C.Y.O. We got to go ice skating, hay rides, picnics. At 14 we moved, and so did all the other families.
The neighborhood theater was very close to our house so we used to walk there. We rode the streetcar to the beach. We used to walk to National City to the swimming pool. We skated and rode bikes, played marbles, Tops, Baseball (in the alley), Kick the Can (in the street), Red Rover, Hide & Go Seek. Good, clean fun.

Tell a courtship story about your parents; how they met, etc. Then tell the same about yourself.
My father worked as a farm hand on a ranch in Gardena, CA. My mother’s first husband was his boss. When her first husband left his four children and my mother. My father felt sorry for her so he helped her raise her children. They fell in love and moved to El Centro in Imperial Valley where we were all born.
I met husband #1 as a teenager. He was part of the kids we all played with. He went with all the girls in the neighborhood before he “fell for me.” Ha ha. Any how I was the “lucky” one.
I met husband #2, Ming, at work. We both worked at Harris & Frank, a clothing store downtown. He was a divorcé with a son and I, too, was a divorcée with a son & a daughter. We were just friends at first saying hello at first, and had lunch in the lunch room. We talked a lot about ourselves and before we knew it, fell in love. He was the nicest, most decent man I’d ever met. So sincere and honest. He cared a lot for my kids, too. He was a wonderful husband and father.

What is the one invention you could not live without? Why?
The invention I would not live without is a car. Without it would have to depend on other people to take me places. I know we have a great transit system here, but it takes too long to reach your destination.