Posted by Frank M. on November 13, 1998 at 16:16:49:
In Reply to: Re: Your family posted by Truth Teller on November 11, 1998 at 11:05:34:
: Dear Truth Teller:
Since you've chosen such a formidable nom de plume (like my Mom would say - "imponente"), allow me to expound on a few thoughts that (hopefully) will live up to the tone you've set:
I am happy (and proud) to say that I knew Don Eduardo Arreche well, as I spent many childhood moments with him. As of this past October, I still had a few years left before I reach my life's half century mark. Considering that Don Eduardo passed away about 35 years ago, one does not have to be a centenarian to have enjoyed his company and wisdom (unless, of course, you're counting in dog years).
About the "separation" issue: Many of the Arreches have led eclectic, exciting and independent lives. However, these have not been the biggest
contributors to their inability to stay close to one another. And, quite
frankly, I don't believe that family crises qualify as a reason, either (those
fall mostly under the "cop-out" category). The dubious honor goes hands-down to the sheer size of the initial clan. I remember a time when Papá (a.k.a. Don Eduardo) and I went on a walking tour of old San Juan (he loved his jaunts). We came to stop by the main Post Office, and had ourselves a little piragua (well, I ate; he watched). As I sat there relishing the cool treat, I remember looking up at him - all dressed in white with his Panama-style hat. He was staring straight ahead silently, as he wiped the sweat from his brow with his hankerchief (I picked up the habit of carrying those from him!) When he saw that I was ready to move on, he took me by the hand and we started to walk off. As we hit the sidewalk, he turned to me and shared this thought: Nene, don't ever have a large family, because there's never enough time or love to give to every child. I don't know what prompted him to say that - I didn't ask. But, I've never forgotten his words. In retrospect, he and Maria may have wished for a large unified family early on, but they eventually learned that the ways of the many will often disrupt the dreams of the few.
Now; in regards to knowing "the whole story behind various incidents": I must tell you, I appreciated your statements re. a certain attorney's character - I haven't had a good laugh like that in a long time! This person that you so admirably defend has been a pill since she was a child - almost anyone in the family will attest to that. Then again, I guess you could say that she was the hapless victim of genetics. After all, she did follow in her father's footsteps all too well. Use whichever adjectives you wish - those are your observations, and I respect them as such (as I do from any other person). Just don't expect to use words like "beautiful" and "loving" to describe this person without getting back a few retorts. Unfortunately, your defensive comments will ultimately fall in the "minority" pile.
Ah; the "come out in the open and say who you are" challenge. Well, this has certainly been the gauntlet of choice these days 'round the 'ol website. I'm sure you can agree to the fact that a person's privacy is their most treasured possession, and he/she is entitled to protect it, if so desired. With that in mind, remember that it's the Arreches who have been placing their family history on a website - not "Anonymous". If he (as I assume "him" to be, given his notes) wishes to remain unknown, that is his prerogative - just as some folks within the family have chosen not to reveal themselves. I think that we should all take a hard look at the comments made by Anonymous, and see just how well we stand up to their scrutiny. Lord knows I hate to see things exposed that are distasteful and compromising towards any loved one. But, the courage and resolve we show today will strengthen us in our quest to bury the "skeletons"
once and for all.
Oh; one last thing: could you resubmit that spanish saying you quoted? I kinda lost the gist of it halfway through ("La verdas aunque se vera ES AMIGA VERDADERA...")
Thanks for your time!
: Webmaster, you do well in keeping your identity unknown!
: : While I was perusing different names on the Internet, I found this page and I felt joy. Joy, because the Arreche family has been intertwined with ours for decades. This joy turned to horror and disgust when I read some of the postings.
: : As I was reading the contents of this page, I could clearly see Don Eduardo and Dona Maria. My parents tell me that Don Eduardo always told them that having a big family was a dream for them both. They wanted to see a united front, a coming together of sorts. How they must be shaking their heads in disgust at the agendum of total negativity.
: : I wonder what they think of the waves of envy and venomous anger from a person who touts "she is proud to be an Arreche." It is irritating to the core of my soul to see the vicious attacks on other members of the family who are really trying (as I see it) to post things that are meaningful. My wife and I have postulated that the unity Don Eduardo and Dona Maria desired to have, and could not have with their own children has just escalated into semantic atrocities and greed by some of their children's progeny.
: : Having been raised in Puerto Rico and currently living in the United States, my family and I have kept contact with certain members of the Arreche clan. To the one who wrote about "white collar crimes" you show your complete ignorance of the facts. We (my wife and myself) both knew this person and this "white collar crime" was planned and carried out with utmost bravado.
: : The attorney who was incarcerated also made some very bad choices. Her actions were borne out of greed and pomposity. She always believed she was "above the law" and tried to prove her cogency in many ways.
: : White collar crime is not the only thing the Arreche family needs to discuss. You need to come to terms with the condition, or in present day vernacular, sickness of alcoholism and drug abuse. My parents were privy to many discussions with family members regarding this debilitating illness. It was very evident to us that child abuse ran rampant in this family. As ostriches you would do well to try and bury your heads in the sands of such abominations as child molestation, robbery and terrorism.
: : Perhaps cowardice is the only way to define the fact that I give no name. Please remember that we have known your family for decades and its skeletons were not as safeguarded as you may have thought. Do my families or I act as your conscience? No, but you must!
: Dear Anonymous:
: If you knew Eduardo Arreche well; then you must be in your 100's. I do not believe you really knew them nor did your parents. If you did you would know that the reason the Arreche's are always\
: so separated is because their parents many times had to separate them. Once when Eduardo Arreche\
: had tuberculosis and another time when Jesus Salvador Arreche Prados was killed by the trolley.
: All families have good things and bad things no one is perfect. Your family must also have bad things and good things----and skeletons.
: When one speaks or writes one Must know the whole story, not just bits or pieces of a story or just one side of the story. Apparently you do not the whole story behind various incidents.\
: I personally know the people you refer to in this message. I know very well the attorney and she is\
: a beautiful loving person and did nothing illegal.
: \A lot of people are accused daily and are innocent. Look at Dr. Sheppard (the Fugitive). It\
: has been totally proven he never killed his wife.
: \What seems to be not always is.
: \
: \If you are a Truthful person you should come out in the open and say who you are. There is a saying in Spanish that says "La verdas aunque se
: \vera ES AMIGA VERDADERA. If you say the truth\
: you do not have to fear giving out your identity\
: and who or what you are.\
: \
: Truth Teller