In the early 1900s, in rural Mexico, a father and mother are taken from their children in a tragic accident. The four small children lose everything—their home, their friends, and all their belongings—and are placed in an orphanage by an uncaring distant relative. The oldest child, Daniel, is only eight years old, but he is determined to protect his younger brother and two sisters as he promised by his father’s grave.

When the siblings are separated, Daniel begins a quest to reunite his family that spans many years and borders, trying to bring them together once more.

This is the story as told to his daughter Carmen, who wrote it with love.

Daniel makes his way walking, working, learning multiple skills, from baking to carpentry, finding the path through Mexico to the United States to Nebraska to his younger sisters and back to Mazatlan, Mexico, to rescue his little brother and finally unite his family.

The reading is pleasurable. The story is told in the immediate present. As a result the reader is not distanced, and the characters come to life. The reader may feel tears emerging but not from sentimentality, from true emotion.

The author doesn’t receive credits for the beautiful painting that is the cover of the publication. The image of the well and the pathway between cultivated fields on either side of the inclined path up to the house is extraordinarily beautiful and appropriate. She is an artist as well as a storyteller.

The story is true and unique; the style of telling reflects the immigrant’s unusual expression, which at times uses metaphors from Spanish: such as “the big goat, “ for an epithet, which in fact means a “son of a bitch” in English, but is in Spanish may also be endearing or in fun, in this case referring to a brother or friend. The reading of the story is touching and enjoyable.

Photographs are a nice addition to the story.

“From Carmen’s Notes,” which serves as an epilog, inspirational quotes from her father include: “Never, never give up for what you want in life. There’s no human worse than you, we just walk different paths during our time here on Earth.’ … “You will not find a richer man in the possessions he has, but in the simplicity in which he lives.” “Make every day a beautiful day. That is your choice. That is your quest!”

I close with Carmen’s last words: ”This book is not only to give some details of his life but also to show that there is indeed hope. There may be readers from different cultures, who are struggling through life, thinking there’s no way out. There’s always a way out!”

Listen to the interview here!

“Chameleon,” says the child’s father, “Today I am going to give you a gift.”

The child looks at her father’s empty hands and says, “Papa, I don’t see a gift.”

The father looks down with his blue eyes and says, ‘Mi hija, (my daughter), you cannot touch it; you cannot feel it; you cannot even see it. The gift I am giving you is an invisible box, and every time you sit on my lap, I want you to put my stories in this box.”

Thirty years later, Carmen Corrales Konneker bound her father’s stories in a book called My Father’s Quest: The True Story of an Orphan’s Journey.

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This is a beautiful story of the special love between a daughter and her father!

Listen to the interview here!

On Friday, May 22, 2009, The Bohemian Circle organized a luncheon at the residence of Dr. and Mrs. Javier Marull in honor of Carmen Corrales Konneker. The Bohemian Circle is a group of Latin American friends who support each other in the arts and Hispanic literature. Carmen, a talented painter, is an active member. Now Carmen is rapidly becoming a successful writer. She is currently writing three other true stories, keeping us anxious and waiting to read them.

About eighty guests from different professions and nationalities attended the luncheon in Plano, Texas. During the ceremony, Mrs. Minerva Marull introduced the birth of this author. Their backgrounds are quite similar. Carmen and Minerva come from the same places where both of their parents came from. By way of their destiny, Carmen and Minerva met one day and built a strong friendship.

Mr. Scott Gunn, Screen Writer and Partner at The Gunn Group, LLC, presented the book review. “My Father’s Quest, The True Story of an Orphan’s Journey” is a simple story of love, compassion, courage, perseverance and faith. Throughout his journey, Daniel finds friends in all the people he meets who, inspired by his innocence and sincerity, offer him not only help, but also open their hearts to him. Daniel’s courage in facing adversity never fails. He is that hero who teaches us that life is worth living despite its adversities. The story takes the reader into deep emotions of the heart, and gives feeling to people’s hopes and dreams. This young orphan endures what we as adults, cannot imagine during our entire lifetime. It is a story that inspires the soul! To learn more about My Father’s Quest, a true story of courage, faith, trust, and love, you can visit www.myfathersquest.com

Carmen, as a little girl, grew up listening to the stories of her father Daniel attempting to reunite his family in the early 1900s in rural Mexico. In addition to their home and belongings, Daniel and his three younger siblings lose both parents in a water well accident. An uncaring relative places the children in an orphanage. At the tender age of eight, but with great courage, Daniel runs away seeking a better life, determined to protect his baby brother and two sisters as he promised by his father’s grave. His quest spans many years and borders. Carmen promised her father to write his story even after he passed away. Today, Carmen not only carried out that promise, but also shared with us the gift that her father gave to her.

The Bohemian Circle organized the luncheon to honor Carmen, with Mrs. Minerva Marull graciously providing her beautiful residence for the event. The Bohemian Circle brought stunning flower arrangements, prepared the delicious food, organized the program, made the invitations and took care of the many other details for the ceremony. Mr. Horacio Marull served as master of ceremonies, and Mr. Lorenzo Gonzalez, a well-known Harpist in the Latin community, captivated the guests with his melodies. Representing the Bohemian Circle, Mrs. Martha Alarcon, Mrs. Maria Esthela Bortel and Mrs. Mina Abramson proudly presented Carmen with the Bohemian Circle award for her literary accomplishment.

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