Know Your Neighbor: Helen Garcia's unique Taos journey

Collections form the mainstay of Helen Garcia's life. Visiting her in her home – or elsewhere – reveals much about Garcia's history through material items that are important to her. Things that she collects illustrate aspects of her identity.

“I love to save little things — souvenirs of a special time, cute little figures and things that represent something. My collections of items take me back in time and remind me of what's important to me,” Garcia said during a recent interview at her home along the Río Lucero.

Collections

One of Garcia's favorite collections rests on a large table. Replicas of a functional miniature town include items found in most actual communities. A charter school, bank, fire station, police station and feed store illustrate some of the village life. If one believes in the premise that art imitates life, then artistic town renderings in this collection reflect her life and the people in it. 

For example, figures in a fishing scene represent Garcia's late husband, Dan, and his buddies, Jose Medina and Martin Rivera; the gazebo that lights up represents a scene on the Plaza during the Fiestas de Taos. Real-life touches, such as a small outdoor mailbox in front of the post office, vehicles (a bus in front of the depot, etc.), a ranch with a windmill and a lemonade stand add a touch of reality to the “town.”

Another group of collectibles in the Garcia home centers on the sewing craft of Garcia's work. Pillows and quilts form a mere sampling of past endeavors. According to Garcia, “I used to sew a lot. I made prom clothes for the girls, some wedding outfits and other things. It was very enjoyable.”

Some of Garcia's collectibles exhibit her devotion to her faith. Crucifixes, statues and other depictions bear witness to what's important to her. A lantern collection pays homage to her late husband. The lights were obtained during her husband's career with the Union Pacific Railroad and therefore represent a specific period of family history.

“In themselves, these collections aren't worth huge amounts of money. To me, they represent my life and what's important to me. My favorite collection is right here,” Garcia said as she pointed to a china cabinet. The contents house a variety of small objects, including figures of people, cups, pitchers, roses and especially her favorites — the gallinas (chickens).

By far, Garcia's life in miniature collections tells many stories through pictures. Her extensive array of photos does not exist in only one area of the house; the pictures are everywhere. In Garcia's case, one picture doesn't merely say a thousand words, but rather a moment in time of a life well lived.

Citizenship

Many of Garcia's photos illustrate her birthplace, a small village of Aztec ruins in Guerrero, Coahuila, Mexico, from the home of origin of her paternal Castillon family. When Garcia's older brother reached the sixth grade, the family moved to the larger town of Piedras Negras to accommodate the children's educational opportunities. A large photo showcases Garcia in a special dress created by her mother during Garcia's yearlong reign as ambassador (the equivalent to Taos fiesta queen). Other photos show the new home complete with porch and palm trees.

Garcia's sheepherder father wished to improve the economic status of his family, so he relocated to the U.S. The patriarch's move was not easy for the family. When the patriarch moved, he obtained a job with Union Pacific, and his wife and three children remained behind for the long process of completing paperwork for their entry to the country. “We came here legally,” Garcia stressed. “I was 10 years old.”

Of the family of six children (Garcia is third in birth order), only three remain alive, but the siblings live on in photos. Throughout the early U.S. years, Garcia's mother returned with her children to Mexico to give birth to more children. Two of the Castillon children were born in this country. During her teen years, Garcia met Dan Garcia Sr., 14 years her senior. He worked for the railroad during the day and operated a small bar at night. The couple met in the family-designated portion of the facility.

At age 18, Garcia married her now-late husband. Because of his mother's advanced age and frail health, the matriarch could not attend the wedding, so the groom brought his bride to meet the family. Garcia's photo collection reveals the people and places that impressed her to the point that she wished to relocate here. The wish came true 13 years later when Dan's mother passed away and friends and family assisted in helping the family obtain the family home and means of support.

Some of the photos reflect the special day when Garcia became a naturalized U.S. citizen more than 40 years ago. Before that, she received a passport at age 10 with the requirement to report to the government every 10 years. She took classes, passed a test and enjoyed the presence of her family for the ceremony.

Family

The photo collection exhibits the faces of the Garcia family. On one wall of the home, visitors see Garcia's children: Dan Jr., Melba (Bonifacio) Martinez, Sylvia (Julio) Herrera, Glenda (Juan) Valdez and Ted (Joy) Garcia. Several photos include Dan Sr., Garcia's husband of 56 years, and the family elders.

Other sections of the walls in her home group together the younger generations. Eight grandchildren form an area, and a nearby grouping exhibits 17 great-grandchildren ranging in age from 19 years to 1 year.

Interests

Garcia repays the kindness she has received in the community by helping others. Every Thursday, Garcia, Angelica Vigil and Millie Rivali volunteer at the Little Poor One Food Pantry at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish. Participants only need to supply their name, age and number of family members to qualify for food. 

She taught catechism for five years and served as a Eucharistic minister for 16 years. She cleaned the St. Filomena Adoration Chapel for a period of time. As a 34-year member of the Guadalupanas, Garcia serves as a caller, rosary participant and pilgrim. She attended a special spiritual journey to the Our Lady of Guadalupe Basilica in Mexico City under the leadership of Father Ed Savilla.

Garcia received a pacemaker a year ago. She has since curtailed her sewing activities, but continues to attend Debra Whaley's exercise class at the senior citizen center. Garcia collects altar cards from the many rosaries she attends and uses them on her Día de los Muertos altar. She also teaches youngsters how to construct their own altars.

She enjoys eating at Wendy's and El Taoseño and reading books. She receives the Holy Family once a month. Her favorite song with her husband was "From a Jack to a King," and her favorite movie is "Giant." Every evening, Garcia watches "The Golden Girls." “I love Taos. The best people live here,” Garcia said.