Beloved Manny

Girls, I have a
surprise for you!!

Knock
Knock!

Guess where
well be going
this summer!

WHERE?!?!

Mexico!

I knew it
all along!

OMG!

Finally!
Thank you
dad!

YAYYY!

The days passed and they began packing as the day was getting closer.

They flew to Nochistlan, Zacatecas on June 4, 2011

After having a 3 hour flight and 2 hour layover, they finally arrived to their lovely hometown
on June 5, 2011.

A few days later

Hey Marissa, is dad
there? I need to talk
to him, its urgent!

Hello?

Ring Ring!

What
happened
mijo?

No that cant
be! No! No!

Dad, cousin
Manny was
murdered!

I have to go
find out!

Im sorry but
you had to
know dad

Sister, please tell me its

not true!

I cant believe it myself

either. I dont understand!
Why him? He was an
innocent young man!

Cousin Manny dead? No no! I dont

believe it! I havent even see him in the
time that weve been here.
Just last week I was talking to him,
told him we were coming and he got
really happy. And now to think hes
gone?

A week before via Facebook

- Prima, hey how are you?
- Im good too. When are you coming to visit?
- Really? Thats great!
- Yea sounds good! & have our bonfire at grandpas like when we
were all kids.
- Well I recently got a new job but let me know when and Ill get the
day off.
- I know, I know! Bring back the good old days. Well I have to go work
now, if I dont get to talk to you before you come then have a safe
trip and ill see you guys over here. Tell everyone I say hi!
- Hey! Good and yourself?
- Next week hopefully! Were going by plane.
- Yea, were gonna stay for a good while so we can plan out a day
to hang out with the rest of the fam.
- Yea, everyone is getting married now so it would be great to
have a reunion.
- You have to! Cant miss out!
- Will do! See you soon primo! Take care.

& thats was the last time

I spoke to him.

I dont understand. Why? Why? Whyyyy? Its not

fair, he didnt deserve any of it. He should be here!
We had planned out a bonfire! It was gonna be
great! But now hes gone and I didnt even have
the chance to see him for the last time.

So many thoughts going through my head.

Part of me just wants to go back to Cali and
wish this never happened, none of it. Even
if it meant we wouldnt come to Mexico
and didnt insist with dad. I would take it
back for Manny. He needs to be here!
Dads taking so long to
come back. I know its true
now.

How am I gonna do it? Stay

strong for my dad and my
other cousins, Mannys
sisters? And everyone else?

I have to. You can do

it Marissa, you have
to.

As much as we dont want to believe it yet,

we have to be there for everyone else. We
have to be strong for the girls. The viewing
will be held tonight and tomorrow will be
mass followed by the funeral.

I will be there for them, I have

to! Theyve always counted
on me and they need me now
more than ever.

Later that night

The next day

The viewing was attended by family, friends,

and other relatives. It was a night full of tears,
weeps, and sorrows.

Mass was given for Manny at 3 oclock on a

Sunday afternoon where everyone then
walked and carried his casket to his grave.

RIP Cousin Manny

Juan Manuel Gomez Duran passed away on June 10, 2011. He was 25 years old,
was going to turn 26 that following August. Such a young, kind, timid, and sweet
soul was taken from us too soon. Our only comfort is knowing that he is now
recovering his mothers absence as they both watch us down from heaven. He will
forever remain in our hearts. We love you Manny.