by Ricky Doc Sauceda
Judges 5:5 - The mountains quaked before the LORD, the One of Sinai, before the LORD, the God of Israel.
I always taught my children to be courteous to people out of obligation. I also taught them that once someone doesn't deserve it they can decide what to do from there. This was due to the very fact that I was exposed to situations in my early life where respecting/courtesy became weaknesses where I needed strength.
I was once left in the care of two elderly sisters, along with my younger sister Libby and cousins Linda and Johnny. The sisters acted so kind towards my Momma and Aunt Carmen. As soon as they left to go and do their shopping, the sisters would put on different faces (so to speak).
They commanded us to eat cookies and drink milk and then ordered us to go and lay on a bed and go to sleep. This occurred several times, as many times that we were left in their care. We didn't say a word because the sisters threatened to kill our parents if we did. I finally told Momma about this a few years before she passed away.
So, I decided that nobody would victimize my children. Our children need to know that they have a right to speak up and defend themselves when necessary. I am a God fearing Christian but that does not stop me from caring about the welfare and well-being of my precious treasure - my children.
That being explained and said, let us travel forward in time to 1989. We are at a laundromat in my parent's hometown of Raymondville, Texas. It is evening time, around 8'o'clock p.m.
I unloaded the baskets of clothes and helped set the laundry to wash. My wife, Ricky Jr and Teri stay inside as I go to sit in the car and listen to the radio. The bambini are the ages of 6 and 5 at this time. I gave them some quarters to play video games.
As I was sitting in the car, Yolanda (my wife) comes storming out of the laundromat with a child in each hand. She is dragging them out very forcefully and brings them to the car and says,"Here! Take your children and don't let them leave this car!"
She walked away and back into the laundromat. I stared at Ricky Jr and Teri for a few moments. We were quiet for a while and then I asked,"Why is your mom upset? What happened in there?"
They explained that Ricky Jr was playing a game when an older and larger boy came over and said,"I want to play. Move over kid." He shoved my son out of the way. Teri saw this and was watching what would happen next.
Ricky Jr told him that it was his money in the machine and that it was his right to play. The boy shoved my son to the ground. Ricky Jr was in disbelief and didn't know what to do. Teri did.
She got on her hands and knees behind the bigger boy and signaled her brother to push him. So he did. As soon as the bigger boy was on his back, Ricky Jr jumped on top of him and began swinging his fists into the boy's face. Teri was kicking him in the ribs.
They had to be pulled off of the boy by several people including my wife. The boy was a bloody mess and scared to death. I guess he learned a valuable lesson that night. At least I hope that he did.
I thought about what they shared with me. I then told them,"I don't approve of fighting you two. But...you did the right thing. I am very proud that you stood up for yourselves."
This was not their normal behavior. They were normally loving, kind and happy-go-lucky types. The incident brought out a deeper trait that was pure instinct. I had a sense of peace then knowing that they were capable of standing up for themselves.
As the years passed I had them involve me in any circumstance that I could join and help to establish peace. These were with teachers, counselors and principals. Teri had issues with one teacher in intermediate school. Ricky Jr was always having incidents up until high school. He finally got a grip on his pure reaction to his environment - he would "Hulk Out" on opponents.
Today they are a balanced and loving man and woman, respectively, in the world. It was an honor to raise and provide for them. I thank the LORD for the privilege of being a parent.
May my three children always be loved and blessed in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.