Everalda Aleman Hernandez (nee Luna)
When were you born/where?
June 8, 1932, in Bexar County, Texas, between Medina County and San Antonio.
How many brothers and sisters do you have?
I had four brothers and five sisters, but one brother(Emelio) and two sister's (Helen),(Edna) who are deceased now!
How were you raised, was there emotional love shown in the family?
I was raised in a strict family and yes, they showed me love except my father who was always to busy working for any of that. My mother was the one person who gave that love to all of us. There were times I would lay in her bed and just hug her, I really miss those times!
So growing up, say 1932 how was it?
I grew up on a farm 22 miles West of San Antonio, between Bexar county and Medina County. My life during those years consisted of working on a farm with my family and raising calf's for meat and chickens for effs. We shared the farm with the owner. He provided the land and the seeds but we did the work and we shared the fruits of all we grew!
What are your parents' name?
Emelio Garcia Luna and Rufina Aleman Luna
As parents were they always there for you?
They were always there for us except my dad, besides farming he used to be a well driller for Johnson and Johnson, and he couldn't come home until the well was done. There were times that he would last up to a week away from home but mom knew what he was doing!
Did you attend school and if so, for how long?
Yes and No, we lived in a part where there were no school buses. The nearest school was in LaCoste, Texas. Buses were not coming around where we lived and all we had were mules, Kate and Red, and horses to take us places. When buses started passing by our farm, I only went for six months on and off, never stayed too long at school, and couldn't afford it.
What did you do for fun?
We would go dancing, but most of the time we would practice our wrestling so we could defeat those other wrestlers. We would whip butt with other girl's, especially your Aunt Helen. She was considered the most dangerous of the family but what do you expect when that is what we did!
Since you did not attend school, how did you learn to read and write?
Myself and some help from my mom, but we learned by hearing the radio and reading magazines that were given to us.
So when did you start dating?
I never dated, we would just go to dances and see whick one we thought would be a good husband. But I guess I started at 25years of age. As first I just wanted to have fun and not take anyone serious but this man named Magoo kept coming around and bugging the hell out of me for a date so I gave in. We dated four years before I made my decision that he would be the one I would marry. During those times life was hard and I wasn't about to marry just any person who would pay attention to me, so I would send him away and he kept coming back and after four years of my constant fight with him I gave in and realized that he will make me happy! I finally married the old coop!
Now that your married, how many children did you have?
We had five, but our first child, Daniell died at six months of age from a chest cold. During those times we didn't have the medications that we have now!
How was life for the both of you after his death?
It was very, very hard. We didn't want any more children, but we had Father Gertz talk to us and made us realize that it was not our fault but a blessing from God and life continues for every one. That's when I realized that he was right!
Were you still working after the birth of your children and where?
Yes, I worked at Methodist Hospital as a CNA for 35 years until I retired at the age of 65. I couldn't stand retirement so I went to work for Dr. Carvahalle's office two months after my retirement. I was lucky to have gone to St. Phillips to test to see if I could become a CNA, so I tested and my score was as a eight grader. That is where I started my career in the medical field. In those days we didn't need a lot of school but as long as we were trained for the job we wanted, I learned and then I took classes in order to be certified as a nurse's aid.
During those 35 years at Methodist, was there one peticular moment that stood out above the rest?
YEs, A 13 year old girl with cancer that I had to take care of. We played games together and I would tell her stories during bedtime. You can say we have fun, but like all good things they do come to an end. She died two weeks later, I felt sorry for the family since they traveled from Laredo to be here with her! Life is to short but for her it seemed that life had been lived.
When did you both know that Chiyo was dying?
When he had a Quadruple bypass and he received blood during his surgery. A year later is when they diagnosed him with Hepitits C. They gave him five years to live but God gave us 15!
How did you get over his death?
I haven't gotten over his death, but I have learned to deal with it. There's not one day that goes by that I don't miss him. He was a good husband, father and best friend. I was blessed to have loved him!
Do you Tia, consider yourself religious? Why?
Yes, Heck Yes, without him I could never succeed in life with or without my family. He is the reason that I am still here!
If you had a chance to do anything different, anything from the beginning of your life to now, what would that one thing be and why?
I'm happy. The one thing that I always said was that dad was always strict and I would love to hug him since he didn't like that too much. I wish I could hug him one more time and let him know that I did love him and I miss him so much!
Is there anything that you would like to add to this interview at this moment?
No, But I'm happy with my life and the way God gave it too me! There's nothing I would change in my life good or bad, I am blessed!
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The Handbook of Texas Online
is a multidisciplinary encyclopedia of Texas history, geography, and culture sponsored by the
Texas State Historical Association and the General Libraries at UT-Austin. It was produced
in partnership with the College of Liberal Arts and the General Libraries at the University of
Texas at Austin. Copyright © The Texas State Historical Association. Last Updated: May 6, 2004.