"COSTA RICA TAPROOTS": chapter 2~page 5

Because young and Hollywood handsome Lito always had a wandering eye and kept several mistresses busy during their early marriage, it was an easy decision for Lita to move to San Francisco in 1943.

She often repeated: "mi vida ha sido un valle de lagrimas" (my life has been a valley of tears).

Away at the time and working on the Panama Canal’s Gatun Lock, Lito apologized for his cheating on her and followed Lita to San Francisco 6 months later, never to repeat his adulterous ways.

Since World War II was still raging in 1943, entry into the U.S. with a German last name like Schielzeth was challenging ~ to say the very least.

Lita, my mom and aunt could not enter the Untied States directly from San Jose, Costa Rica ~ having to arduously travel by train to Vancouver, Canada and apply for entry visas.

My Great Grandparents Hans & Cruz and Rosa & Camilla all died in their early 60's, probably totally exhausted from having so many kids!

Living to 105 and 92 years old respectively, my Grandparents Lita & Lita lamentably could not take time off of their union jobs to attend their parents' funerals so many days away.

What my ancestral family narrative taught me:

° COURAGE & ADVENTUROUS FAITH

To always venture forth in a Godly faith like Hans did sailing a wooden ship from Germany and Cruz riding horseback from Colombia all the way to the land of the unknown ~ Costa Rica.

As well as Amalia, Lita and Lito traveling to San Francisco without housing or employment certainty.

° ACCEPTANCE

To accept all people as they are no matter their skin color or ideological belief.

° SHARING

As Amalia always did, share from the heart with those you love.

° DARE TO BE DIFFERENT, FLEXIBLE & ADAPTABLE.

Since divorce and separation were a rarity in 1943, Lita chose to run her own race by leaving Costa Rica and moving to San Francisco.

Just as Lito lamented not being a doctor/surgeon, Lita and my mom both wanted to be teachers.

My hands-on tutor all my life, Lita warned me about not copying my friends’ bad examples by counseling “if your amigos all jump-off the Golden Gate Bridge are you going to follow?”

Well....................

ROSA + CAMILLA @ 1899

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfpEefKiG2I