The Penitentes

I am Janice A. Martinez de Valdez. Born and raced in Los Sauces, Colorado. I grew up in a wonderful ranch-farm owned by my parents. Jose Faustin Martinez and Maria Sophia Montoya. I used to spend a lot of time with my grandparents. My paternal grandparents were Alfredo Martinez, and Matilde Marquez de Martinez. Maternal grandparents, Pedro J. Montoya, and Cleotilde Medina de Montoya. I knew everyone that lived in Los Sauces at a very young age. I often visited with all the elderly and did chores for them. To me I always greeted them as Aunt or Uncle. I graduated from Sanford High School, I received my BA degree from Adams State University, my MA from the University of New Mexico, and I have lots of post degree education also. I retired from teaching from the state of New Mexico. After retiring from teaching I took care of my husband for fifteen years, He was Gregorio Jake Valdez, we had two beautiful sons, Joaquin A. Valdez, and Jake A. Valdez III. My husband was a Vietnam Veteran who came back home from Vietnam with a lot of physical problems. We were married almost forty years. He passed away just short of that. My youngest son was killed on an accident. That was a devasting loss to me and will always be. I have five grandchildren from Joaquin and Melanie Duran Valdez. They have become the center of my life. I have taken care of them for the past twelve years. I have always had this desire to write a book about the penitentes. They shaped the lives of many and have not been given the credit they so humbly deserve. I truly Love our culture and rich values our Hispanic people have. I believe this book I have written speaks to the relevance the Penitentes have in shaping our lives in so many ways. God has blessed me in so many ways I want to thank him for giving me this beautiful opportunity of being able to write this book." I would like to thank all my family and friends who have supported me in this endeavor. God Bless You!!!