First off, this is my biological brother, Ernie. He was the oldest out of 3 siblings. It was Ernie, then our sister Faith, then me. At the time of my birth, my name was Hope. And that is what Ernie, and Faith, have always known me as.

Ernie, was born with the last name of Hanson, after our mom, Grace. Faith and I had the last name of Mendoza after our father, Armando. But, yes, we all have the same set of parents.

Ernie was raised by our mom, but from what I was told Faith was raised "MOST" of the time by family and friends. For long spurts at a time. While, I was adopted out at the age of 6 months.

If my memory serves me right, Ernie and Faith along with mom, stayed at a shelter at times called "Pacific Gardens Mission" which is located in Chicago. The last time I heard, which was last year, '99 that the mission would be closing. So, it has been around alot of years, and have helped out alot of needy families, like my own.

Fortunately, for Ernie and Faith, no matter where they were, or who they were with, they always had that sibling bond. A bond so strong, and so loving between 2 siblings. But, also, they were missing something, or I should say someone. There was a part of them, that wasn't complete, a bond that had yet to be bonded. And that bond that was never joined together or reunited was with Ernie and myself.

I do not mean for this to be a woe is me page, because I don't mean it to be. It's just me expressing a very deep loss that I have had to deal with everyday of my life. Or I should say from the first day that I found out that I was adopted. Which was, I believe at the age of 12 is when I found out. Then, the thinking really set in, as of I wish I knew my biological family, and what they are like.

And that day did come some years later. I finally was united with my sister, Faith in 1996. It will be a day I will always remember and cherish for the rest of my life. But, unfortunately, it was 14 yrs. to late to unite with Ernie, for he had already passed on.

When I went to MN, where my sister lives, she took me to our bother's grave site. I know when she took me there, it was much harder on her than it was me. But, the heartache was still there for me. Even, though I did not know Ernie, my heart was still yearning to reach out and hug a brother, who I had never met. I remember we sat there for quite some time. Picking the weeds around his grave, and talking. This was the first time that Faith told me that, Ernie was always thinking of you, Hope. You were always there in his heart and in his soul. She said that at times he would bring my name up, and wondered how I was doing, and where I was. And that is what I am always going to remember about him most. That even though I wasn't there with Ernie and Faith, they never forgot about me.

I received this special award from a FRIEND who viewed this page about my brother. I just want to say, Thank you, for this award. It will remain here, never to be moved, like the page itself! Thank you so much again, it means the world to me!

Here are some other photo's of my brother, that I would like to share with you. These photo's mean the world to me, because it makes me feel like a piece of my heart has been mended.

And a very special thanks to my sister, Faith, for sending these to me!

Yes, in this pic you see Ernie with his bottle, at the age of 21. Needless, to say that he didn't know, that a few years later, an accident involving alcohol would cause his death.

At the age of 19, you will find Ernie in the bib's with his daughter, Sandy in the stroller. While Greg,his best buddy is in front in the marine suit.

Ernie was what you called a "Motorhead", which means he loved to work on cars, trucks, etc. That was his favorite past time. He entered the Marines at the age of 17, where he finished up his schooling.

Unfortunately, our father, Armando never got the chance of meeting his son at all. So, I was not the only family person who did not meet this well like adult. And up until this day, I have yet to meet my biological father, but do have a picture of him that he did send me last year. We have had contact with each other thru letters. And hoping one day, soon, that I will be united with him!

On July 4th, 1982 is the day that my brother's life came to an end. Why? Let's just say, drinking and driving does not mix! Yes, he was at fault, and he paid a high price for it. Which was his life!

I just wanted to do this page in light of him. It gives me something to always have on my past life. And even though he isn't here to share it with me, at least I have his pictures. And OUR sister, to fill that void that will forever be in my heart!

I love you Ernie, and there will always be a spot in my heart yearning for you! And one day WE will be united!

I want to thank you for stopping by and reading this page that was very hard for me to write. But, as I finished up with this page, the hurt lessened some.

I ask you this...If you, or if you have any family, friends that drink and drive, please, remember this page. I know there are alot of sites out there about family/friends losing loved ones to alcohol/drugs driving accidents. PLEASE, PLEASE, keep these pages in the back of your mind the next time you or anyone else decides to drink and drive. It's NOT worth it, LIFE is to precious! God Bless You ALL!!