Ichiban, Numero Uno, Number One

I love my number one daughter, the only problem is that I do not know which one she is. Most of the time I will be on the phone with one of the three and I will be heard saying, "Yes, but Dodie, er Moni, er Cissy." And the sweet voice at the other end will say, "Daddy, I'm Moni, or I'm Dodie, or I'm Cissy."

I cannot say that it is because I am getting old and forgetful, I've been doing this ever since we have had three daughters, perhaps even when there were only two. It is just that it has become more noticeable now that there are three. I would like to say that I intentionally feed the sibling rivalry that exists in all families, but then I would be fibbing, and I do not want to be a fibber. As a matter of fact, that is why I am writing this particular chapter. One of my three daughters called me a fibber when she discovered that I called her, as well as the others; Ichiban, Numero Uno, Number One. What this chapter should be titled is, Come Smell Not Just The Flowers, But The Roses Too.

Ichiban, Numero Uno, Number One - Which One?

Three Smiling Chacon Sisters                         John & Dodie

I have always known my three girls are beautiful but it was forcefully driven home into my cranium when I heard what other people said about them. Dolóres, Cecilia, and Mónica were all invited to a party at American University in the Washington DC area and without comparing notes on what the others were wearing to the party they all showed up wearing white. "Who are the three beautiful olive colored girls, dressed in white, with the long black hair, people were asking?" "They are the Chacón sisters, of course, was the response." I was not there but the word came back to me all the way to Albuquerque.

Ichiban, Numero Uno, Number One - See What I Mean?

Lenny &Cissy                         Doug & Monica

Makes this old boy proud of his three Ichiban, Numero Uno, Number One daughters.

I am not a fibber, just a proud Daddy, and I may add I love all three exactly the same, all are very special, yet different. All three have made me and their Mother very proud, they are our most prized possession; …. of course, we do not own either one of them. All three are their own person. Dolórés graduated from Vassar, Cecilia from Wellesley, and Mónica from American University. All did it in four years. Not once did either of them change majors and not once did we have any communication from the school for any infractions or any problems. Very few parents can say that about all of their children. My daughters are, again, all Ichiban, Numero Uno, Number One.

Our own mediocrity, mine and Isabels's, has its consolations. We cast no great shadows for our daughters to escape from. We do not eclipse them, or crowd in upon their future with any looming vastness or reputation. Our daughters can have their own place in the sun, without forever being compared to an incomparable father or mother. They are not "chips off the old block," but brand-new blocks themselves.

The first born, Dolores is married to John Alleva and they have two girls, Bethany and Loryen, from John's previous marriage. Dolores served as a Senior Executive first, as Associate Director of Personnel at the Department of Interior in Washington and later as President of the DOI University. She retired in 2009. John served as a Senior Executive with the Department of Energy and retired also in 2009.

Cecilia, our second born, is married to Leonard Klevan, a DNA Scientist who was President and General Manager, Genetic Systems, Hitachi Corporation, and later was CEO, Reliagene Technologists, Inc in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is currently President of the Markets Division, Applied Bio Systems Corporation. They have two boys, Paul Joseph and Richard Alexander. Alex is an artist and Paul and athlete. Cissy is a dedicated homemaker but has owned her own art business specializing in stain glass works.

Monica, our third and last born, is married to Doug Glenn, a CPA formerly with KMPG, later Assistant Finance Director, General Services Administration and currently a Senior Executive, serving as Director, Finance, NASA.

Monica was a Program Manager with the World Wildlife Fund headquartered in Switzerland and traveled all over the world in conjunction with her endangered species programs. She then served as an Evaluator with the Inspector General’s Office, Department of Interior. Currently she is a Management Analyst in the what used to be the Bureau of Minerals Management Service.

So, am I a proud Papa, or, am I a proud Papa! Or what!! And here is the latest family portrait - Christmas 2004.

From Left to Right - Dolores Alleva, Cecilia Klevan, John Alleva, Paul Klevan, Lenny Klevan, Me, Alex Klevan, Monica Glenn, Comadre Donna Glenn (Doug's Mother), Isabel, and Doug Glenn

Read On! Enjoy!