Ismael Haro Villanueva by Mia Lowry

My big brother Ish is the 2nd born of the family. When I think back of our life in Yuma....I remember football jerseys, cowboy boots, and an old Ford truck.

He was very protective (and still is) of his family. I remember one time when this little girl from another block came over with her dad because Abel had been teasing her. He came over to settle the score. If I remember correctly Rodrigo, Abel and I were outside and the man was yelling. Ish came out of the house hollering, "What's going on out here???"

The little girl wasn't sure if it was Abel or Ish who had been teasing her, but her dad was scared out of his mind when Ish came out. He changed his tune and left. Ish told Abel that he better leave her alone because he did not want to have to beat up that man. So, that was the end of that problem.

He was a chronic teaser. I have no doubts that Sergio, Steve, Abel and the rest got their "teasing skills" from Ish. He paved the road for them with Mom and Dad. Dad was always the easy target and Mom was their four leafed clover when it came to getting it over on them with a joke.

One memory I have that I'll cherish forever is how he stood up for me when I wanted to move out. He was my lawyer to Dad and if it wasn't for him I would have never had the chance to know what it was like to live on my own.

I can still remember how he had to hold his hand from hitting the doctor or nurse during Lit'l Ish's birth. He did not like how they were handling him after just being born. However, months later I remember scolded him as he tried to rope his baby with a cowboy rope.

In my last months in Glendale, I had the pleasure of living next door to him and his family. I got to teach his daughter, Meghan for a 1 1/2. He would help me with my lawn when I was pregnant with Scarlett. He is a good brother. I am grateful to have him in our family. I have learned a lot about being a parent from him and I am thankful he is my brother.