Mary "Betsy" Elizabeth Terrazas

Today is Wednesday, February 25, 2026, your 86th birthday. Happy Birthday, Betsy. Your birthday balloon from your best friend, Alice, is still in place, as are your birch table and chairs. The recent rains have rejuvenated your garden. The jade plants are in full bloom. The cactus and other plants are doing well. The bougainvillea you planted by the upper gate is flourishing. The trees, including the tall pine tree and the pine tree we replanted many years ago, are trimmed and doing well. The front circle is cleared and doing well. Your garden mementos are where you left them. I tend to your garden. The exterior under the big front windows is now fully sealed; I painted it. Betsy, you are special and one of a kind; I love you, Luis.

Saturday, February 14, 2026: Happy Valentine's Day to all, from Betsy and Luis. Betsy, I love you, Luis

Monday, January 19, 2026: Martin Luther King Jr. Day. In memory of Dr. MLK Jr. and also in recognition of Cesar Chavez and Thurgood Marshall. Happy Birthday, MLK, Betsy and Luis

New Year's Day, Thursday, January 1, 2026: First day of the new year, 2026. The rain continued today. Betsy's garden is doing well. May there be blessings, hope, and peace for all. Betsy and Luis

New Year's Eve, Wednesday, December 31, 2025: There are sounds of illegal fireworks, though the gently falling rain should keep things safe this evening. May the New Year bring good things and renewed hope for all, Betsy and Luis

Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25, 2025: It will be 100 years from today that Christmas will fall on December 25, 2125. One can hope that in time people will find a way to live in peace, with good will toward all. And may we always remember the reason we celebrate this day. Merry Christmas, Betsy and Luis

Pearl Harbor Day, Sunday, December 7, 2025. On this day in 1941, so many of the greatest generation were lost. Luis read that the last remaining survivor on board the USS Arizona that day was Louis "Lou" Anthony Conter, who passed away at age 102 on April 1, 2024. On this day in 1941, the first love of Luis's mother, Esther Medina Terrazas, also survived on board the USS Arizona. For those who survived and those who did not, our abiding respect and gratitude, from Betsy and Luis.

Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025: Our last shared Thanksgiving Day in person was here at home in 2019. The first one was in 1974, with many in between. One of the most memorable was Thanksgiving Day in 1978, during our honeymoon. We had a mid-day meal that Thanksgiving at the Brasserie restaurant, which no longer exists, in the San Francisco Fairmont Hotel, where we stayed for a few days. After the Brasserie meal, we then drove in the yellow 1973 Ford Gran Torino north on the Golden Gate Bridge to the Muir Woods, then drove back south on the Golden Gate. Betsy, we will always have San Francisco. And may everyone have a blessed Thanksgiving, from Betsy and Luis.

Tuesday, November 18, 2025: Forty seventh wedding anniversary for Betsy and Luis. Married on Saturday afternoon, November 18, 1978, six years after we met in November 1972. Betsy, you will always be beautiful. I love you, Luis.

Sunday, November 16, 2025: Today was the Elizabeth Hospice Light up a Life event at the California Center for the Arts conference center in Escondido. Very well attended today. The weekend rainstorm had cleared by the time the event started at 3:30 p.m. Betsy, your garden enjoyed the rain. Betsy, I spoke your name and lit a white candle for you at the event. Mona (Yolanda), my sister, and her spouse, Girma Ayele, also attended. Betsy, I love you, Luis.