VIEW FROM THE PIER
by
Herman Sillas
Recently, four consecutive days reminded me what this country is all about. On a Thursday evening Cora and I went to a bible study class led by Pastor Kenn Gilliksen held at a private Laguna Hills home. Thirty of us meet weekly to sing, pray, and listen to Kenn who tries to straighten us out. I always leave feeling I’ve learned something or reminded what I ought to be doing.
The next day, Friday, Cora, I, and extended family member Susan Goetz, gathered at Phil and Karen’s home for our usual Friday night dinner. We shared our week experiences and concluded it wasn’t a bad week. Laughter always reigns at our son’s home. We watched in anticipation as Phil prepared another gourmet dinner for us. After eating we discussed politics and social issues. Our departure ended as always with hugs and kisses as we prepared for the weekend.
Rain wiped out any thought of fishing Saturday morning. So Cora and I prepared for the evening. We were attending the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Mexican American Bar Association (MABA) to be held at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. I was to receive the Frank E. Munoz Lifetime Achievement Award. My kids were excited and I didn’t have the heart to tell them that I figured I was receiving the award for just being alive. As Cora and I arrived at the function and became part of the 800 guests in attendance, I was moved by the gathering. Attorneys from all walks of life mingled for the evening, as friends, even though many were adversaries during the day. Politicians seeking money and endorsements walked with their hands out through the crowd shaking any hand that was available. Excitement ruled the air as the mariachi played in the background. Later after we were seated with our family the new officers were installed. I reminded Cora that the organization now had more officers than the total membership when we started fifty years ago. We were small in number then, but felt compelled to form MABA in order to support each other, better educate ourselves, make our voices heard in the legal profession, and to serve the needs of the Latino community. MABA now has 800 members. The speakers spoke of the organization’s growth and success, but reminded us that many issues still face the Latino community that must be addressed.
The following day, Sunday, Cora, I and the family attended the dedication of three-year-old Hanna, our youngest grandchild, at her church. The pastor spoke about his concern over public schools and what he believed was the diminishing role of God in our nation. Afterwards, we gathered to celebrate two birthdays, Hannah’s and Nathan’s, her brother. The party took place at the church’s facility. Then Cora and I dashed over to our son’s home and watched the Super Bowl. We scooped up his guacamole with homemade tortilla chips. Finally, we returned home with memories, proclamations, and an award.
The next morning looking out at the pier, I recalled the last four days, my experiences, and the speakers I had heard expounding their opinions about this country. I didn’t agree with everything I heard, but that is the beauty of this country. I didn’t have to agree. At all the functions we had attended from a private home to a hotel ballroom or a church, I felt secure from interference. We take that for granted, but that’s what make this country great. We can speak and assemble at homes, churches, or ballrooms, free from government interference. This is the greatest and most valuable asset of our country. This separates us from other nations. I can hardly wait for next week’s gatherings. That’s the view from the pier.
(Sillas, a San Clemente resident and L.A. attorney can be found most weekend mornings fishing on the pier. He can be reached at sillasla@aol.com)
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