Some Memories of Jovanni by Mia Lowry

I can still remember the day Jovanni was born as if it was yesterday. Liz looked so uncomfortable, but to me she still looked great. I was very excited as this was the day I would become an aunt. I had already made up my mind that all my nieces and nephews were going to call me Auntie Lucia. I laugh at this now because I am just Tia now, but I don't mind it.

I remember coming up from Yuma to visit and as luck would have it Jovanni came that weekend. It was a Saturday when she was finally born. I am not sure if we came up intentionally or by chance. We were to be moving to Phoenix the next weekend. I was not happy about the move, but the only positive was getting to see more of this baby girl.

I can still see Liz sitting in that long red caddy Rodrigo drove in those days. She had gone to the hospital, but they told her it was not time and she needed to walk. I have to admit now how insensitive I was on this day. I kept asking her why it was taking so long, but ever so kind, Liz did not get upset with me. What a brat! I would probably have gone off on some dumb kid who asked me that during labor. She endured and had to have an emergency C-Section. I had never seen a newborn before, but when Rodrigo came out holding her. I instantly knew I would love her forever. It was such a happy day for the Briones and Villanueva family. I can still picture her perfect little round head. I couldn't wait to hold her in my arms even if the idea scared me a bit.

Then I found out my Mom was going to take care of her when Liz went back to work. Oh, happy day! I would get to see her every morning before school and after school. It was fun for me to finally have my Mom babysit someone I actually wanted in the house. Mom/Nana babysat her until she was in the 1st grade, I think. I was sad when Mom couldn't babysit her anymore. I think it was due to her health. However, that did not exclude her from my life. We would often go to the movies. Sometimes just us and other times with Little Ish too. We'd drive away in that Red Ford of Dad's and go to the Harkins in ghetto Phx. 67th and McDowell

Oh, and the news came Liz and Jovanni were moving to Yuma. What a terrible day this was for us! I thought I would never see her again, but luckily I was wrong. During the summer she would come to visit us in Phx. Sometimes during the holidays too. It was fun times. Then there was my wedding and her unhappiness about the whole affair. If I remember correctly she and Ish thought Glenn was going to take me away from the family. Which of course turned out to be wrong....proven by what was known to be called 'The Kid's Apartment'. I had them for such a long time living with me: Jovanni, Vanessa, Ish, Alex and Meghan. They have such happy memories of almost burning it down, getting me possibly evicted by the knocked down light pole and/or the swimming in the waterfall areas, and who knows what other mischief they caused. Now as a parent I wonder how any of their parents could have ever trusted me with their children. Ay!

She moved in with Tonie and I was happy she was back in Phx area. Things worked out for the good in the end and she moved in with Glenn, the kids and I. Many memories were shared during these years. I can't recall them at this time, but will at another date.