Embracing My Roots

            The South is more than people expect it to be, much more.  For me, it is my education and roots, it is a glorious truth and beautiful place.  Although some people may feel that ranching is a not so special commonality in South Texas, I beg to differ.  Growing up into a family of ranching has taught me exceptional life lessons, and I have my grandparents to thank for that.

            When I was a little girl I vividly remember older people referring to me as Mr. Nava's granddaughter rather than by my name.  At the time, I didn't understand why, but as I grew older it became clearer.  A very well-known man, my grandfather always made the cover of my hometown's local newspaper, theHebbronville View.  Among his many accomplishments, my grandfather was a World War II veteran, joining the army on July 25, 1944.  He earned the Purple Heart, Army Occupational Medal, Oversees Service Bars, Asiatic Pacific Theatre Campaign Ribbon with two Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Medal, and Victory Ribbon.  Mr. Nava was also actively involved in enhancing education in the Hebbronville community, serving as principal, administrator, and Superintendent for over 34 years.  After retiring in 1984, he then embarked in the ranching business which made his and his family's lives even more meaningful. 

            The history began with my grandmother's father, my great grandfather, Mr. Adalberto A. Martinez.  Adalberto was a rancher who raised high grade commercial cattle, whose ranch brand, 14, has been used by the Martinez family in South Texas since 1910.  Married to Isaura Barrera, my great grandparents had eight children, my grandmother being one of them.  After teaching all of his children the history of his land, Adalberto passed away on January 17, 1953.

            After my great grandfather passed away, my grandmother inherited her part of her family's land.  My grandfather wanted to expand the ranch and had the opportunity to purchase land that one of my grandmother's cousins wanted to sell.  About three years later my grandfather decided to purchase more land from a land owner that lived in Bruni, Texas.  Today this land is known as the Moglia Ranch, which we have currently owned for ten years now. 

            A couple of years later, my grandmother's brother, my great uncle, Romeo Martinez passed away in 1974.  After his death his daughters decided that they would sell one thousand acres of their father's land.  My grandmother was devastated and disappointed.  The thought of her nieces selling the land that their father had worked so hard to maintain was unbearable.  She and my grandfather then decided to buy the land from them, which is today part of the original La Mesa Ranch.  Since the land is flat from a distance, much like a table is, my grandfather chose La Mesa to be the name of the ranch.  My grandfather gave La Mesa the ranch brand N3.  The N signifies his last name (Nava), while the 3 represents his three children.  He generated this idea after writing his will and evenly dispersing his land between his three children by 1/3. 

            As cliche as it sounds, my grandfather is my hero and much of who I am today is due to the morals and values he has instilled in me.  Through education and ranching he taught me what hard work is, and for this I am truly thankful.  My family's ranches are more to me than just some place to hangout and BBQ.  They are my roots and my heritage, to say the least.  The day my grandfather passed away a part of me died too.  I had a feeling that after he died things would never be the same.  I felt that my small family would slowly but surely drift apart.  I was right, and because of this I am not able to visit my ranches as often as I would like, but when I do I make sure to embrace in the moment.

            This photography project has made me reconnect with ranching.  The days I went to my ranch to take these photos was an indescribable feeling for me.  As I saw all the cattle rushing to eat, I remembered the day my grandfather took me to the ranch for the first time when I was just a little girl.  I can still hear his voice saying, "El trabajo nunca se acaba."  The work never finishes.  He was right!