The Matas never celebrated Day of the Dead before; this year they built an altar at the grave of 10-year-old Tess, surrounded by family. For Thanksgiving and Christmas, they broke their traditions.
a month later — visits Tess’ gravesite, the Matas’ relatives excitedly get up from their chairs to take photos with him. O’Rourke leans to stare intently at Tess’ altar.
This year, for the first time since 1992, when Jerry and Veronica began dating, they are going to spend Thanksgiving away from Uvalde. After Veronica gave birth in a San Antonio hospital, Faith walked in and the nurse handed Tess to her, saying, “Congratulations, you’re a big sister.” “I know you’re not going to want to do this, but it’s too late, I already bought the tickets,” Veronica tells Jerry. “So you don’t have a choice in the matter.”Jerry’s been a Cowboys fan since he was 6 and his father told him to cheer for the team with the star on their helmets. He’s never seen his favorite team play in person.
It’s raining, so Jerry wears a hoodie over his camouflage Cowboys jersey. Veronica wears her blue jersey, and Faith wears her white jersey. As they walk into the stadium, Jerry has a smile on his face. It was “like a kid walking up to a place that they've always wanted,” Veronica says. “It’s like 95,000 people just yelling, and you see them all having fun and stuff,” Jerry said after the game. “People don’t know what you’re going through — not that they should, but you just try to have as much fun as you can, as much fun as your mind lets you.”
“That’s how we usually spent Christmas, ever since Tess could walk and talk,” Veronica says. “As soon as she could tell us what she wanted, that’s what we did.”They decorate Tess’ grave with LED Christmas lights, paper Santa Clauses, candy canes and two miniature Christmas trees. During his testimony, Guerrero plays a recording of children’s screams from inside Robb Elementary School. The doctor says a parent shared the recording with him. Faith, Veronica and Jerry listen with dismayed looks on their face as Jerry clutches the photo of Tess.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
What to know about Boxing Day—also known as St. Stephen's Day and Wren DayCelebrated on December 26, this British holiday was likely inspired by one of several charitable traditions. Here’s how Boxing Day got its name—and how it’s celebrated around the world
Read more »
Broken hearts lead to broken traditions in Uvalde as Mata family celebrates first holidays without TessThe Matas never celebrated the Day of the Dead before; this year they built an altar at the grave of 10-year-old Tess, surrounded by family. For Thanksgiving and Christmas, they broke their traditions. texas uvalde kprc2 click2houston
Read more »
It's time to seize the day in 2023So in case you may have missed it, today is the day after that day, Dec. 25, that everyone knows as The Day.
Read more »
Jewish community volunteer to feed homeless on Christmas morningPeople from all walks of life broke bread together at Travis Park Church as volunteers served hot meals to people in need on Christmas day and the eighth day of Hanukkah.
Read more »
Texas A&M student who disappeared on day of graduation found dead, police sayAccording to officials, Tanner Hoang's family was in town to attend a graduation ceremony. He went missing before meeting with them for lunch.
Read more »
Top NFL Week 16 promo codes and betting offers for Christmas DayClaim some of the best promo codes and offers from the best sportsbooks for NFL Week 16 games this Sunday.
Read more »