February 20, 1965 had to be one of the most amazing days. A man by the name of Saul Valente Salas was brought into this world. A baby with huge eyes, fat cheeks and crying with all his might, it seemed as though this baby was going to be just like the rest. Growing up moving from California to Mexico and back to California, Saul was always trying to make the best of every situation. In a family with four boys and one girl he was the third oldest but, he acted as if though he was the elder of the group. He struggled most of his life, as his family would fight to make ends meet. He was forced into working at an early age, which led him to become a bus boy and pizza boy. Asking him how his bus boy experience was he stated, “ Being a bus boy taught me how tough it is to earn a dollar, you are constantly moving around and always have work to do. If you are sitting down then you are not doing your job correctly.” That shows that this man must have been very hard working and was always looking for ways to keep himself busy. He knew he had a big responsibility of having to help support his family and he was also aware that the way out of his tough situation was through school.
Education is the Key to Success
School was a pleasure for him, he loved to be around friends and learn about new things. He studied hard and took the community college rout to save up his money so that he can purchase his car. He loved that car so much that he would sleep in it. When going to college sometimes that wasn’t an option, he was living away from home and when he didn’t have a place to sleep, he would be forced to bundle up in his car. This taught him the true value of having many things that society today takes for granted. Living without a roof over your head, no running water, or even lacking heat is a tough life to live. He never gave up, he continued to struggle but he kept telling himself, “In the end it will all pay off.” He finished his general education and was admitted to UCSB. There he said he had some of the best memories of his life where he would attend parties, go out on dates, and remembering to keep his priorities straight and staying on track with his schooling. He would continue to do his work and strive to do what was necessary to get a good job and eventually have a family. His graduation came and he said that was one of the happiest days of his life. All his hard work and dedication had paid off he was now a college graduate at a very prestigious university.
The Hunt for a Job and Life Profession
Right away he looked for a job, he was looking at a profession in which he could give back to the community and change peoples lives. Well he decided on becoming a probation officer. Though some may degrade this and label it as an easy task to do, taking care of rebellious minors can be very tiresome. He has gone through various injuries some of which affected his everyday tasks such as taking a shower. Not only has this occupation been physically draining, it has also taken a toll on him mentally. Some of those minors have stories that people cannot even think to imagine. These young men have dealt with drugs, violence, abuse, and abandonment. Anything that you can imagine that has a negative impact these kids have gone through. Saul saw this as an opportunity to change the lives of many. He started a program at his probation camp called Gangs for Peace. This program granted minors in his camp, that realized that they have done wrong, a way to better themselves. They would do community service and help those in need. They were rewarded quite nicely too, attending professional baseball and basketball games depending on the season. Once these inmates left the program they became changed men. They returned home to their families not as thugs but as young men that were aware of the mistakes that they had made. They knew that they had been given a second chance and it was time to make the most out of it. Today, many of them have very nice homes, cars, children, pets, and finally got married. Some of them even have their own businesses.
A Father’s Two Loves
Cars were one of Saul’s passions, something that you can say rubbed off on the former juvenile delinquents. One day when he had his own son Saul would purchase him a car of his choosing within reason. Also, that car had to be at least ten years old so it could be somewhat of a “classic” and so that his son would know the value of cars. He would then go on and continue to date but wouldn’t seemingly find the right woman for him. He eventually found her and took her for what she was and what she had. She was previously married and had two relationships that ended unfortunately by death. She also had three children, an eighteen year old, a fifteen year old, and a baby that was just two years old. He loved kids and he and her began dating. Since then they have both succeeded together raising three kids and purchasing rental property to support the family and supply them with things that they did not have when they were of a young age. That two year old was the one he was closest to. It probably is because it was a boy and he always wanted to raise one for himself. That young boy went by the name of Albert Miramontes. When I was first born I was the only boy to be born in that hospital that day and was surrounded by females in the nursery. “He was like a diamond,” the nurse stated. Well that was almost my name until they decided to name me after my father that had passed away before I was born. However, the day Saul was born would serve to be of the utter most importance to me, as I now had a man in his life that would act and serve as my father. This man supplied everything he could for me, whether that would be an education, money, clothing or sports. Anything that I wanted and deserved, Saul would do his best to attempt to bless the me with. Right off the bat Saul and I had a wonderful connection even though he wasn’t my biological father, I knew he was like a guardian angel sent down from heaven. Time came when the I began to grow older, start dating, start going out with friends, and Saul believed it was time for my first car. That car would turn out to be a silver 1996 Honda Civic. That car would serve as a child to me. I would constantly wash it, take it out for a cruise, and pick up friends to go on adventures. Once I put a new radio and speakers in the car it became my second home. Just going cruising in there was one of the biggest luxuries I had. It was like I was in another world. From hearing the lyrics that would explain my day or the base of the music that would go with my heartbeat it is something that I will cherish forever There wasn’t a time when I would not be in his car at least once a day. It was a get away spot for me, one in which all his worries and trouble would go away and it would just be car, the music, and me. Music was like another world for me. It represented my moods and sometimes shaped his actions. Don’t worry even though I like music that promoted violence and degraded women, I would do the complete opposite. Being a very peaceful young man, many saw me as the kid that did not seem to have problems. However, everyone knows that people tend to have their fair share of problems. I was not the type to sit around and just mope being a sad person. I would get up, go to my car, play music, and think of a way I could get put of the slump that I was in. No matter the situation I would do my best to find a solution and be the happiest that one could be. The car was a useful tool in helping me carve his happiness and be the person I was striving to be.
The Finishing Touch
I loved those two things so much but I was always grateful that my parents were able to supply me with that. I cherish each and every moment I have in that car, whether it is when I am singing to Drake at the top of my lungs or listening to some chaotic techno music. Whether it is the best day of my life or the worst day, I always would have my parents. They have been there since day one for me and I am ever so grateful that God has blessed me with the best parents a child could ever ask for. There are not that many people out there that would be willing to make sacrifices to make a child happy. I am happy all thanks to my father.
School was a pleasure for him, he loved to be around friends and learn about new things. He studied hard and took the community college rout to save up his money so that he can purchase his car. He loved that car so much that he would sleep in it. When going to college sometimes that wasn’t an option, he was living away from home and when he didn’t have a place to sleep, he would be forced to bundle up in his car. This taught him the true value of having many things that society today takes for granted. Living without a roof over your head, no running water, or even lacking heat is a tough life to live. He never gave up, he continued to struggle but he kept telling himself, “In the end it will all pay off.” He finished his general education and was admitted to UCSB. There he said he had some of the best memories of his life where he would attend parties, go out on dates, and remembering to keep his priorities straight and staying on track with his schooling. He would continue to do his work and strive to do what was necessary to get a good job and eventually have a family. His graduation came and he said that was one of the happiest days of his life. All his hard work and dedication had paid off he was now a college graduate at a very prestigious university.
The Hunt for a Job and Life Profession
Right away he looked for a job, he was looking at a profession in which he could give back to the community and change peoples lives. Well he decided on becoming a probation officer. Though some may degrade this and label it as an easy task to do, taking care of rebellious minors can be very tiresome. He has gone through various injuries some of which affected his everyday tasks such as taking a shower. Not only has this occupation been physically draining, it has also taken a toll on him mentally. Some of those minors have stories that people cannot even think to imagine. These young men have dealt with drugs, violence, abuse, and abandonment. Anything that you can imagine that has a negative impact these kids have gone through. Saul saw this as an opportunity to change the lives of many. He started a program at his probation camp called Gangs for Peace. This program granted minors in his camp, that realized that they have done wrong, a way to better themselves. They would do community service and help those in need. They were rewarded quite nicely too, attending professional baseball and basketball games depending on the season. Once these inmates left the program they became changed men. They returned home to their families not as thugs but as young men that were aware of the mistakes that they had made. They knew that they had been given a second chance and it was time to make the most out of it. Today, many of them have very nice homes, cars, children, pets, and finally got married. Some of them even have their own businesses.
A Father’s Two Loves
Cars were one of Saul’s passions, something that you can say rubbed off on the former juvenile delinquents. One day when he had his own son Saul would purchase him a car of his choosing within reason. Also, that car had to be at least ten years old so it could be somewhat of a “classic” and so that his son would know the value of cars. He would then go on and continue to date but wouldn’t seemingly find the right woman for him. He eventually found her and took her for what she was and what she had. She was previously married and had two relationships that ended unfortunately by death. She also had three children, an eighteen year old, a fifteen year old, and a baby that was just two years old. He loved kids and he and her began dating. Since then they have both succeeded together raising three kids and purchasing rental property to support the family and supply them with things that they did not have when they were of a young age. That two year old was the one he was closest to. It probably is because it was a boy and he always wanted to raise one for himself. That young boy went by the name of Albert Miramontes. When I was first born I was the only boy to be born in that hospital that day and was surrounded by females in the nursery. “He was like a diamond,” the nurse stated. Well that was almost my name until they decided to name me after my father that had passed away before I was born. However, the day Saul was born would serve to be of the utter most importance to me, as I now had a man in his life that would act and serve as my father. This man supplied everything he could for me, whether that would be an education, money, clothing or sports. Anything that I wanted and deserved, Saul would do his best to attempt to bless the me with. Right off the bat Saul and I had a wonderful connection even though he wasn’t my biological father, I knew he was like a guardian angel sent down from heaven. Time came when the I began to grow older, start dating, start going out with friends, and Saul believed it was time for my first car. That car would turn out to be a silver 1996 Honda Civic. That car would serve as a child to me. I would constantly wash it, take it out for a cruise, and pick up friends to go on adventures. Once I put a new radio and speakers in the car it became my second home. Just going cruising in there was one of the biggest luxuries I had. It was like I was in another world. From hearing the lyrics that would explain my day or the base of the music that would go with my heartbeat it is something that I will cherish forever There wasn’t a time when I would not be in his car at least once a day. It was a get away spot for me, one in which all his worries and trouble would go away and it would just be car, the music, and me. Music was like another world for me. It represented my moods and sometimes shaped his actions. Don’t worry even though I like music that promoted violence and degraded women, I would do the complete opposite. Being a very peaceful young man, many saw me as the kid that did not seem to have problems. However, everyone knows that people tend to have their fair share of problems. I was not the type to sit around and just mope being a sad person. I would get up, go to my car, play music, and think of a way I could get put of the slump that I was in. No matter the situation I would do my best to find a solution and be the happiest that one could be. The car was a useful tool in helping me carve his happiness and be the person I was striving to be.
The Finishing Touch
I loved those two things so much but I was always grateful that my parents were able to supply me with that. I cherish each and every moment I have in that car, whether it is when I am singing to Drake at the top of my lungs or listening to some chaotic techno music. Whether it is the best day of my life or the worst day, I always would have my parents. They have been there since day one for me and I am ever so grateful that God has blessed me with the best parents a child could ever ask for. There are not that many people out there that would be willing to make sacrifices to make a child happy. I am happy all thanks to my father.
Albert Miramontes is currently attending California State Northridge. He enjoys spending time with his father and talking about cars. If Albert is not with his father he is probably playing sports.