Members of the Hinojosa family, including Elena Hinojosa, right, Natalia Hinojosa, far left, and children Jesus, Mariah and Elizabeth are shown decorating their Christmas tree in their California home. (Courtesy photo)
By HEATHER CATHLEEN COX
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com
“We are so very thankful,” said Marta Petra Hinojosa, who was recently reunited with two family members whom she had not seen or spoken to in over two decades.
“Thank God for the San Benito News. Two of my cousins, the only ones we have there in San Benito, contacted me because of the article,” said Hinojosa of a Dec. 5 article published in the midweek edition of the News which highlighted previously unsuccessful attempts at finding two cousins.
According to Hinojosa, “It had been 22 years that we hadn’t seen each other.”
She was in a bit of shock when her cousins contacted her so soon after the story was published. She said, “It is great how things work with technology, and what your people have done. I still can’t believe I was talking with my cousins…I didn’t even want to get off the phone.”
Hinojosa shared that her entire family, which consists of over 100 members counting nieces and nephews, was ecstatic to rekindle a relationship with long-lost cousins, Jose “Pepe” Vega and Lupita Herrera-Vega.
Hinojosa’s mother has not been in good health. She said, “My mom smiled, my whole family smiled. It was truly a miracle, especially at this time of year.”
Additionally, she stated that her family, who resides in California, is collecting funds to “try to travel to Texas for a visit.” Hinojosa added that although physicians have restricted her mother from traveling at this time, “One way or another we’re going to try to get there for a reunion.”
A breast cancer survivor, Hinojosa expressed that this is not the first family reunion she’s experienced in recent years. Hinojosa shared that in 2001, she was reunited with three of her four sons, whom she had not seen in at least 20 years. “In 2001, my boys found me. My oldest son’s wife looked me up online.”
Hinojosa will soon undergo a third surgery, relative to her breast cancer. “I’m a fighter,” she said. “God has me on a mission.” Hinojosa explained that taking care of her elderly mother “keeps me strong.” She also said, “This Christmas will be the best one yet…to see my mother happy that she heard from her niece and nephew. That is the best gift ever.”
Read this story in the Dec. 9 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.
1 comment
A sweet christmas miracle story…Thank you SBNews for coming thru for these families.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL.. 🙂