My Mother (Maria)
My mother is an exceptional and wonderful individual. She is strong, determined, and ever so optimistic, and never ceases to amaze me. She is outgoing, friendly, and ever so energetic, is not shy to speak her mind, or advocate for what is right, and extremely independent. These are the characteristics she instilled into me and my siblings. Her life was always dedicated to her children, and their well-being.
Being the second eldest and the first daughter was her wish come true, the apple of her eyes. My mother and I have an extremely close relationship and always have. I can still recall how she would always help with homework, and was always present in all the parent-teacher nights. She reached out to all my teachers and school administrators. She taught us the importance of education, and always encouraged us to take pride of the work we were responsible for. This is why I have chosen this career path, so that I can help other families to do the same.
We always have had a close and intimate relationship. We speak via phone every day, and when I lived in Philadelphia we would have dinner at least once a week, go to the movies, or rent a movie, just the two of us. Our relationship has become more important to me the older I become, especially because I realize the struggles she was confronted with as a single mother of four.
My Aunt (Lola)
My Titi (auntie) as I lovingly called her was the second person in my life who made me feel special. I was her little doll, and she would always make me feel as if I were her daughter too. She would spoil me with clothes, shoes, and anything pretty a little would like. She was always fun to be around, as well as loving and caring. During my younger years I remember that several of my mother’s siblings lived in the same tenement in New York. My aunt would come to visit everyday before and after work. As I grew into a young lady she taught me the importance of behaving like a lady. She instilled in me the love of traveling, and living life to its fullest. She always had a smile and a song in her heart.
I remember after we moved to Philadelphia, she would always come and spend the winter holidays with us, we would stay up all night talking about anything and everything. I would always ask about her travels and the many famous friends she had in the world of music. I her love for me and the kind words said through song is what impacted me the most. Her love for all things pretty and feminine are many of the memories I have left of her, she died in 2007 several days after her birthday.
My Cousin (Evelyn)
Cousin Evelyn is someone I esteem as a sister. She is one of the most intelligent individuals I have ever known. I have always found her love for knowledge fascinating and intriguing. She is probably the only person I know who can type at the speed of lightening. She always tells me how special I am to her. She was my babysitter as an infant, and toddler. She was always nurturing to me and continues to be in so many ways. As an adult she mentored and provided guidance, she was the one person I could confide in, much like a friend. I remember my often trips to New York to spend weekends with her, go out shopping, and as she would say “paint the town red. Her love for knowledge is what has impacted me.
Friend (Julia)
Julia came into my life as a young child, when we move into the same building she and her family lived in. Julia became my second mother, her nurturing and loving ways were always special. She would always be the one to walk us to and from school. Since she was a stay at home mom of four, I was quickly drawn to her family, who took me in as one of their own. She was one of the best cooks I have known, and whatever I wanted she would prepare for me without a moment’s hesitation. My favorite was a dish we call pionono in the Puerto Rican culture (a layered plantain dish prepared much like lasagna but without the cheese, just meat, seasoned with Spanish spices and herbs) wonderful, and delightfully fattening, if I might add. She was one of the most devoted mothers I have ever known, who doted and loved her children and those of her neighbors. She was the one whose house was always full with children, but she never complained. Her love for children, cooking and her easy going personality is what impacted me the most, I often think of the way she would lovingly look at me whenever I was in her company.
