Aurora Casso Cervantes

Aurora Casso Gonzalez issued forth from the darkness and warmth of her Mother’s womb on Saturday, January 15, 1927 at 5:00 AM. in San Antonio, Texas. It was about one hour before the sun’s first rays would cleave the darkness of the night thus heralding in a new day. The San Antonio River flowed that day through the middle of town, coursing its way as it has since time immemorial for 240 miles before issuing forth into the Guadalupe River then, with their waters melded, flowing 10 miles south before emptying into the Gulf of Mexico. The ocean’s mist. Shortly after 5:00 AM little Aurora would be attached to her loving Mother’s breast, totally removed from the outside world where all the nocturnal critters were making their way back to their lairs, nests and caves after another night of seeking prey. The ocean’s mist. Without a doubt Aurora’s Father, Margil, and some of her aunts were in the hospital giving loving support to their sister Consuelo. After all this was her second child and first daughter. All of Aurora’s family was from Mexico and kith and kin was first and foremost among them. Surely they prayed for this new addition as well as for Consuelo. The ocean’s mist. As the sun rose higher and higher, fish began jumping from the river’s clear water, birds began to chirp, insects started buzzing and the leaves of the countless trees standing in formations on both embankments began rustling in the gentle breeze of that short winter day. Aurora means “dawn” in Spanish. What a beautiful name! The ocean’s mist. A few years later little Aurora was prancing around singing her favorite song she had heard on the radio. “ My Mom gave me a nickel to buy a pickle, but I didn’t buy a pickle I bought some choo’n gum! Chew, chew, chew, chew, chew, choo’n gum, chew, chew, chew, chew!…… The ocean’s mist. When Aurora was 14 years old her entire family—parents, grandparents, siblings, and her Mother’s extended family moved to Santa Barbara, California but not before 2 or 3 seasonal forays into Michigan where her Dad had found plenty of work. The winters there were fierce. They heard about Santa Barbara through the grapevine then an aunt and uncle traveled there to check it out and it was even better than expected. Lots of work, a lot of Mexicans, Spanish was spoken everywhere, there was a big Mission and several smaller Catholic Churches and it was right next to the ocean. Plus the weather there was unbelievable. Flour tortillas anyone? The ocean’s mist. When beautiful Aurora and family had only been in Santa Barbara less than a year history’s dark shadow cast itself over the planet. President Roosevelt declared war on both Japan and Germany after Pearl Harbor. That was December 7th, 1941. Back in those days along the entire West Coast it was lights out an hour before sunset as a precautionary measure due to fears of a Japanese attack. On February 23rd, 1942 at 7:15 PM those fears became a reality. A Japanese submarine shelled the Ellwood oil facility, just north of Santa Barbara, for 20 minutes causing minimal damage but scaring the daylights out of residents up and down the coast once word got out. During all this time the San Antonio River continued flowing as it had for countless millennia. The ocean’s mist. Aurora’s Tex Mex family eventually purchased homes near each other on and near De La Guerra Street west of the 101 FWY and the railroad tracks. Abuelita, Aurora’s grandmother, lived with Consuelo, her oldest daughter, in their house on De La Guerra St. Aurora’s siblings and her Dad made it a full house. The ocean’s mist. On January 9th, 1949 Aurora married the love of her life: Rodolfo Reymundo Cervantes Sanchez who was also of Mexican heritage. His parents were also from Mexico. This sacred union would eventually produce 5 children, 13 grandchildren, and the number of great grandchildren is still growing. The ocean’s mist. Eventually the house on De La Guerra St. would be jam packed with family members during frequent family gatherings. From babies and toddlers all the way to very elderly people it was a joy to be present. The smell of homemade flour and corn tortillas wafting through the air and huge pots of tamales, pinto beans, menudo, enchiladas and other dishes on the stove, nice and hot and ready to be served, would have people watering at the mouth in anticipation of titillating their taste buds. The ocean’s mist. The San Antonio River has flowed for countless millennia sustaining in her wake innumerable life forms who have imbibed from her waters while at the same time leaving something of their essence within those ancient waters down through the ages. As her waters eventually coalesce with the open ocean then rise as mist to the high heavens it leaves in its wake all impurities, thus taking with it the essence of all dimensions of life it nurtured. The ocean’s mist. On October 5th, 2024 at 5:36 PM Aurora Casso Gonzalez’s essence rose up into the heavens leaving in its wake the impurities of this life and taking in its stead happiness, joy, forgiveness and smiles. Most assuredly the Creator of the universe opened the pearly gates so she could enter eternal gardens beneath which flow rivers and where the fragrance of paradise permeates every soul within. She is definitely enjoying the company of those of her loved ones who also received God’s permission to enter the hereafter in all its bliss where youth is never ending. The ocean’s mist. For those of us who are still on this plane of existence, forever in our hearts you will be missed. P. S. Taco Bell please take a back seat to Aurora’s succulents bean burritos made from scratch. Her handmade flour tortillas laden with homemade refried beans topped with gobs of cheese then rolled up into a tight burrito that awaited hungering mouths were second to none. We love you Mom!

Aurora Casso Cervantes

January 15, 1927 - October 5, 2024