Maggie was my mom's best friend from the years we all lived in China Lake, California.  Mary and I were also best friends, so I got to spend a lot of time there getting to know the family.  Mr. Mercado was always saying funny things, Danny was the cool dude, and Mary was the calm & quiet "little sister".  But Mary and I always had a good time together, giggling and talking gilr talk.  Maggie was always there, feeding us and being such a sweetie-pie.  Maggie NEVER said a bad word about anyone and if she did have to, it was always in a hushed tone (probably so God wouldn't hear it from her lips!).  She was one of God's generous-hearted spirits, and had a lovely, cheerful way about her, no matter what.  

Then one day, Mary announced that her mom was expecting a baby!  Zounds-- that was bizarre, because I thought all our parents were OLD people!  Then David arrived, and he was the cutest little guy I'd ever seen.  We move away some time later, so when they announced ANOTHER baby was on the way, I wasn't around for Cathy's birth.  But I always envied the Mary & Danny, because they had a little brother and sister too!  

the Mercado's were always a great family.  I've been blessed to have known them.

Elena Garcia Diaz

Warsaw, Missouri