The fourth of July is generally a great opportunity for family to get together and catch up on what has been going on in each other's lives. This fourth of July has changed the meaning of this holiday for all of us because on this day, we lost a beautiful soul. I think his niece Selina put it perfectly when she said, "You were too good to be taken from us like this man. But of course, your crazy butt would go out on the Fourth of July with a bang!"
The first child of Victor William Diaz, Sr., and Marilyn Antonia Zayas; Victor Williams Diaz, Jr., born October 3, 1972; was lovingly nicknamed Cheerios by his eighty something year old paternal great grandmother, Doña Cruz. You see, he gave his mother 8 months of morning sickness and the only thing that seemed to alleviate the nausea was when she ate Cheerios. Doña Cruz noticed the rapid disappearance of cereal boxes and said "Mija, si sigues haci vas a tener un Cheerio" (Girl, if you keep eating those you are going to give birth to a Cheerio). And that is how he got his nickname.
Our boy came into this world ready for a fight. He had to, he was raised in the rough streets of New York City. Somehow he knew that he had to be a fighter in order to survive the hurdles that life was going to throw at him. Victor was street smart and witty, devilish, and if he liked you, kind. His down falls were the homeless and small pets. Don't ask me why, he had an issue with both. He was hot headed and loud and a prankster. He was so many things; most of them good. But he was no angel and never claimed to be. Being the eldest brother of Juan Pablo "Speedy", Imes Chamey, Dinahte, Danielle, Marilyn "Mima" and Reinaldo "Pipo", prepared him for fatherhood.
Sadly at the age of 11, came the separation of his family. His mother was taken away from him and most of his brothers and sisters were shipped off to several relatives; except for his brother Speedy. Him and Speedy were inseparable, the bond they shared unbreakable. I can only imagine, the devastation and helplessness Cheerios felt, as his world crumpled around him. He was just a little boy, dealing with a situation that was out of his control, how was he to keep his family together? It took him many years to recover the loved ones he lost in childhood, but I am certain that it was that experience that made him a fierce protector and provider of his own family.
At the age of 18, he met and married Jeanette. They had three beautiful children together, Victor Jr., Victoria and Alex. Cheerios took this opportunity to become the father he would have wanted to have himself. He loved his children unconditionally, until the very end. He always worried about them and did all he could to make sure they had what they needed. In 2009, he had his fourth child Brandon Antonio with his girlfriend Barbaralydia. He spend his last hours doing exactly what a good father does, running to see his children.
Throughout his life, Cheerios took on the role of mentor to his siblings and cousins. He had the biggest heart. He always tried to help in any way he could. Cheerios had the habit of stopping to help anyone stranded on the side of the road. We knew better than to question what he was doing, it was best to let him be himself. I can honestly say, he was always there for us. Whether it was to fix your car or to give you a few dollars or to let you know when you were messing up. He did not tolerate foolishness very well and was not afraid to let you know it. And if you happen to call him and tell him you were having a problem with someone, all he would say was "where do you want me to bury the body?"
I know I felt safe when he was around. I feel like one of our generals is gone. One who kept order and allowed no disrespect. Cheerios was a senior member of our First Born Club. You know, the lucky few that are born first in our family. The leaders of our new family branches. The heads of our new blood lines. This has been a changing of the guard, which means, there is a void that needs to be filled. Let's come together and keep his memory alive by being there for his children and help them navigate in this world without their father. He stood strong and loyal for us while we all grew up together. Let's come together and comfort each other. Let's begin to mend the hole that was created when our Cheerios left us by celebrating his life. Let's not tear up what he helped to built, this family.
God graced all of us by allowing us to spend 42 action packed, crazy, amazing, roller coaster years with this wonderful complicated man. My life was a little more colorful and exciting just because he was in it. I will be forever grateful to God All Mighty for allowing me and my sisters to spend time with him before he was taken. I have precious, unforgettable, memories of our Golden Boy, that I will treasure forever. Cheerios left us too soon. He was always busy doing something. We would have all loved to have kept him around a little longer, but you know what, let's remember him at his best and laugh and still wonder "how did he get away with that one?" Let's be kind and show love towards one another. If there is any lesson in this tragedy is that in a blink of an eye the Lord can call us home. Don't miss this opportunity to mend your relationships. Let's be happy, just like he wanted.
