For more than a year and a half now, I've passed this roadside memorial on my way home. Until last night, I had never stopped. Then I did, and when I searched Google for the name on the memorial, I realized that I had met young Elisa Gastellum. I've had the privelege of hearing her sing.
Share with me for a moment the memory of a lovely, talented young lady from Tucson, Arizona.
Elisa was only 18 years old when an auto accident took her life. She was a student at Pima College, just across the road from her memorial. She was also a rising star in the exciting, flamboyant world of Mariachi music.
Her talent as a singer was such that Elisa Gastellum competed in the annual Disney Festival of Mariachi in Orlando, Florida, where a friend snapped this photo.
On Christmas day, 2005, Elisa performed on national television. Not long after that, she was gone. Her friends and family visit and maintain this shrine to honor her memory.
Now I too have visited. ...but I sure do wish I could hear her strong, lovely voice again, backed by trumpet, violins, guitars and the deep bass guitarró. Qué triste.
Today is New Year's Eve. Be careful tonight, for the sake of the people who love you.
Mike in Tucson
