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.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Memories Of My Big Brother Sergio by Mia Lowry
For as long as I can remember Sergio was a joker in the family. When we were little girls he was the one who played with us the most. I can still remember some of the games we played. One game that sticks out the most is when we played 'Animals'. Suzie, Tonie and I would always pick cutesy furry animals (of course, we are girls, what do you expect?) such as a bunny, kitty, deer, etc..Sergio, however, would choose a lion, tiger or bear (no pun intended here).
We would pretend to be these gentle creatures in the forest and suddenly, the ferocious beast Sergio was emulating would come upon us to devour us. Sometimes he would not know when to stop and freak us out (on purpose, I am sure) until we would say, "OK, OK, you ate us! You ate us! Game over!" Well, he wouldn't stop the first time, but more like the seventh or eighth time we would say these words.
I remember once how we were wrestling and he knocked out my tooth. There was blood all over our green blanket. Why I ever thought that playing with an older brother was OK is beyond me?
Another moment of trickery was when we, girls, were folding our laundry. It was a cool evening and we had the window open. The light from the street streaming into our room. When suddenly we heard a mysterious heavy breathing coming from the window and an evil laugh. Somehow he managed to cast his shadow (intentional or not, I don't know) into our room and all we knew was that a man was laughing at our window. Tonie, who was quick on her feet (it's no wonder she works for 911) got the closest thing she could to defend us and began to whack the window mercilessly. What did she get? A pair of panties. I am sure she was going to bludgeon him to death with those underwear if not die trying. :)
Then there was the time I had to go out and hang my towel in the backyard to dry. He came and kicked the aluminum (from the shed, the door of it) fence meant to keep the dog in the yard. Some protector that dog turned out to be! It yelped all the way behind the dryer and left me alone to fend for myself against this unseen villain. After I gained control over my hysterical screaming, and froze in fear, he came out to let me see it was him.
He did this to me another time when I was taking the trash out at night, but this time he was in a tree. He was hooting like an owl. Now let it be known (even if she does deny it now, she did in fact tell me this) Mom had put a fear in me of owls. She told us owls will come down and pluck out your eyes to eat them. So, when I went to take out the trash at night as a routine before bedtime up above in a tree I heard the hooting of an owl. I froze and closed my eyes tightly. I did not want my eyes to be plucked from my head. Then after a few hoots I heard a laughter to what sounded to me like the cackling of the devil himself. I screamed and started to cry. He jumped down from the tree, and I wish I could say this did not scare me more, but it did. I know he felt bad about it, but in bouts of laughter he asked if I was OK. I guess I looked pretty scared.
There was never a dull moment with Sergio in the house. He was always up to something. Trying to trick Mom or Dad and us girls. You always knew when he was home or coming home because he made himself known that is, unless he was about to get you with one of his practical jokes. I wish I could remember all of the pranks he did to us, but they are so many to recall and my memory is fading.
I do, however, remember how one time we started a fire in the front yard. It was fun, but it got out of hand. If I remember correctly we put lighter fluid onto it and it jumped higher than I was tall at the time. It's a wonder how Mom ever survived his childhood (well, all of us for that matter).
The one thing I remember that freaked me out more than any of his pranks was when we, Mom and I, drove to Phoenix to see him in the hospital when he was 19. He had surgery on his nose and he looked like he was beat up. I could still picture him lying there in bed. Suddenly, his eyes popped open, he jumped up and ran towards the bathroom mirror. I had to run behind him to push his IV as Mom was worried it would come out of his hand. Later, Mom told me how hard it was for her to see him like that and how scared he made her when he jumped out of bed.
One thing about Sergio you should always remember that beneath his gruff exterior (the persona he puts out there) he has a soft heart under it all. I am grateful to have him as a brother. I remember the times we had at the First Phoenix Apostolic Church and Glendale Church and how people would either ask me: "Are you twins?" Twins! He is way older than me. Ugh! Do I look that old? I would wonder. "Where's your boyfriend?" What boyfriend? "The one you come to church with?" Ugh! That is my brother! Sick! "Oh, I am sorry."
I remember when he was choir director at Glendale and Kelli May and I would be cutting up. He was such a tough director. He would get so mad at me and expected me to be an example because I was his sister, but I couldn't be anything more than his bratty kid sister. I can still remember the look he would give us. It was much like the look Dad use to give us at church during the sermons in Yuma.
I am grateful I am blessed with my brother Sergio. He was and always will be not only my brother, but a friend. I love him dearly as I love all of my family and miss them so much.
We would pretend to be these gentle creatures in the forest and suddenly, the ferocious beast Sergio was emulating would come upon us to devour us. Sometimes he would not know when to stop and freak us out (on purpose, I am sure) until we would say, "OK, OK, you ate us! You ate us! Game over!" Well, he wouldn't stop the first time, but more like the seventh or eighth time we would say these words.
I remember once how we were wrestling and he knocked out my tooth. There was blood all over our green blanket. Why I ever thought that playing with an older brother was OK is beyond me?
Another moment of trickery was when we, girls, were folding our laundry. It was a cool evening and we had the window open. The light from the street streaming into our room. When suddenly we heard a mysterious heavy breathing coming from the window and an evil laugh. Somehow he managed to cast his shadow (intentional or not, I don't know) into our room and all we knew was that a man was laughing at our window. Tonie, who was quick on her feet (it's no wonder she works for 911) got the closest thing she could to defend us and began to whack the window mercilessly. What did she get? A pair of panties. I am sure she was going to bludgeon him to death with those underwear if not die trying. :)
Then there was the time I had to go out and hang my towel in the backyard to dry. He came and kicked the aluminum (from the shed, the door of it) fence meant to keep the dog in the yard. Some protector that dog turned out to be! It yelped all the way behind the dryer and left me alone to fend for myself against this unseen villain. After I gained control over my hysterical screaming, and froze in fear, he came out to let me see it was him.
He did this to me another time when I was taking the trash out at night, but this time he was in a tree. He was hooting like an owl. Now let it be known (even if she does deny it now, she did in fact tell me this) Mom had put a fear in me of owls. She told us owls will come down and pluck out your eyes to eat them. So, when I went to take out the trash at night as a routine before bedtime up above in a tree I heard the hooting of an owl. I froze and closed my eyes tightly. I did not want my eyes to be plucked from my head. Then after a few hoots I heard a laughter to what sounded to me like the cackling of the devil himself. I screamed and started to cry. He jumped down from the tree, and I wish I could say this did not scare me more, but it did. I know he felt bad about it, but in bouts of laughter he asked if I was OK. I guess I looked pretty scared.
There was never a dull moment with Sergio in the house. He was always up to something. Trying to trick Mom or Dad and us girls. You always knew when he was home or coming home because he made himself known that is, unless he was about to get you with one of his practical jokes. I wish I could remember all of the pranks he did to us, but they are so many to recall and my memory is fading.
I do, however, remember how one time we started a fire in the front yard. It was fun, but it got out of hand. If I remember correctly we put lighter fluid onto it and it jumped higher than I was tall at the time. It's a wonder how Mom ever survived his childhood (well, all of us for that matter).
The one thing I remember that freaked me out more than any of his pranks was when we, Mom and I, drove to Phoenix to see him in the hospital when he was 19. He had surgery on his nose and he looked like he was beat up. I could still picture him lying there in bed. Suddenly, his eyes popped open, he jumped up and ran towards the bathroom mirror. I had to run behind him to push his IV as Mom was worried it would come out of his hand. Later, Mom told me how hard it was for her to see him like that and how scared he made her when he jumped out of bed.
One thing about Sergio you should always remember that beneath his gruff exterior (the persona he puts out there) he has a soft heart under it all. I am grateful to have him as a brother. I remember the times we had at the First Phoenix Apostolic Church and Glendale Church and how people would either ask me: "Are you twins?" Twins! He is way older than me. Ugh! Do I look that old? I would wonder. "Where's your boyfriend?" What boyfriend? "The one you come to church with?" Ugh! That is my brother! Sick! "Oh, I am sorry."
I remember when he was choir director at Glendale and Kelli May and I would be cutting up. He was such a tough director. He would get so mad at me and expected me to be an example because I was his sister, but I couldn't be anything more than his bratty kid sister. I can still remember the look he would give us. It was much like the look Dad use to give us at church during the sermons in Yuma.
I am grateful I am blessed with my brother Sergio. He was and always will be not only my brother, but a friend. I love him dearly as I love all of my family and miss them so much.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
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.
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.
Rodrigo Haro Villanueva by Mia Lowry
Rodrigo is the oldest of the family. My memories of him include the drums, singing and watching him work in the Apostolic Church. I can still remember coming home from school to hear him playing his drums. You could hear them from a block away. When you'd enter his room you could see him with his headphones rocking his head to and fro as he listened to various musicians to perfect his skill.
Looking around his room you could see the results of his other talent-art. He could draw almost anything. I can still picture his replica of an Andre Crouch album of a beach scene. It was amazingly beautiful. I think he is the only one in our family that perfect the art of drawing.
I remember seeing him suit up to go to work at Johnny's Men's Wear in Yuma after school. From what I can remember he was a good worker and salesman. He earned money and purchased his own car....I believe it was a Monte Carlo...gray. He would wash and clean out that car every weekend.
I remember him leaving on his dates. The one I remember the most was when he took my older sister Mary and I to see the circus. We got to ride an elephant. I can't remember who the girl was that went with us, but I sure do remember how he was excited to take us. How much care and excitement he took into ensuring we had a good time. It was a good time. I can still remember how the elephant felt and how scared I was to be on it. I wish we had taken a picture of this moment, but it will forever be embedded in my memory.
I can still picture him on his wedding day. It was a nice wedding that was held in our Yuma house backyard. He married the mother, Elizabeth Briones, of his only daughter, Elizabeth Jovanni Villanueva. I can still see his face when he came out of the delivery room holding his little girl. He had the biggest smile, eyes moist with tears of joy and a laugh that would not stop. I still remember being frustrated because he would not tell us if Jovanni was a girl or a boy. He is the only man I can recall who wanted a girl instead of a boy. This idea still baffles me since most men would rather have a son than a daughter.
Everyone wanted to hold Jovanni, but he wouldn't have it. He refused his own mother's request to hold her first grand baby. This was how happy and excited he was to have a little girl....his baby. It was such a happy day for all of us.
His life has not been an easy one and I know he is currently working on writing it all down. I hope one day he does get it published. Currently, he is attending college and I have never been more proud of him. I hope he continues and finds a job he will enjoy. I can honestly say that my life has been blessed because of his and I am happy, proud and glad to call him brother.
Looking around his room you could see the results of his other talent-art. He could draw almost anything. I can still picture his replica of an Andre Crouch album of a beach scene. It was amazingly beautiful. I think he is the only one in our family that perfect the art of drawing.
I remember seeing him suit up to go to work at Johnny's Men's Wear in Yuma after school. From what I can remember he was a good worker and salesman. He earned money and purchased his own car....I believe it was a Monte Carlo...gray. He would wash and clean out that car every weekend.
I remember him leaving on his dates. The one I remember the most was when he took my older sister Mary and I to see the circus. We got to ride an elephant. I can't remember who the girl was that went with us, but I sure do remember how he was excited to take us. How much care and excitement he took into ensuring we had a good time. It was a good time. I can still remember how the elephant felt and how scared I was to be on it. I wish we had taken a picture of this moment, but it will forever be embedded in my memory.
I can still picture him on his wedding day. It was a nice wedding that was held in our Yuma house backyard. He married the mother, Elizabeth Briones, of his only daughter, Elizabeth Jovanni Villanueva. I can still see his face when he came out of the delivery room holding his little girl. He had the biggest smile, eyes moist with tears of joy and a laugh that would not stop. I still remember being frustrated because he would not tell us if Jovanni was a girl or a boy. He is the only man I can recall who wanted a girl instead of a boy. This idea still baffles me since most men would rather have a son than a daughter.
Everyone wanted to hold Jovanni, but he wouldn't have it. He refused his own mother's request to hold her first grand baby. This was how happy and excited he was to have a little girl....his baby. It was such a happy day for all of us.
His life has not been an easy one and I know he is currently working on writing it all down. I hope one day he does get it published. Currently, he is attending college and I have never been more proud of him. I hope he continues and finds a job he will enjoy. I can honestly say that my life has been blessed because of his and I am happy, proud and glad to call him brother.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
My Brother Steve Villanueva by Mia 'Lucy' Lowry
This is my greatest memory of my brother Steve. In the 6th grade I was very anemic and looking back I can see why someone who saw me would think what these boys thought. My picture of me in the 6th grade shows my complextion is greenish yellow (and no, it is not because it's an old picture either). Well, I came home crying one day because two boys told me the following, "We took a vote and found that you are the ugliest girl in the school."
I went home in tears. I was unconsolable. Finally, Mom and Steve got it out of me. Steve was angry and ready to go to the school and beat up those boys. I asked him not to do it because I worried it would make matters worse for me. He said he wouldn't because I asked him not to do it. He was so angry, and in his anger I saw how much a big brother loves his sister.
Another memory I have of Steve is when he would practice his trumpet. I remember walking home and hearing it blast throughout the neighborhood. At times it was my welcome home and at other times when I had a headache I hoped he would stop when I got home. How he could play! I loved to see him play a "special song" in church on his trumpet.
One day while I was a freshman in high school Steve called from Phoenix. He pretended to be a police officer. Steve loves to play practical jokes. He could and should look into being a stand-up comic. I picked up the phone and in a professional sounding voice he proceeds with the following: "This is the Yuma Police. We have been tracking some criminal activity at the local high school. We have been following your daughter, Lucy. She has been seen with some students involved in (I can't remember what crime he said)___________. Wait....who is this??"
I got very scared. I had always tried to do what was right and keep myself out of trouble. He kept yelling "Who is this?" Finally, I said, "It's Kiki. It's Kiki." My heart was pounding so hard I thought it was going to rip my chest in two. He started talking again and asked for my parents. At that point I recongizned his voice and said, "Steve, is that you?" He started to laugh. I'll never forget this joke.
Steve was always doing jokes. No one was past his sceming ways. He would try to get anyone or everyone he could. The next joke I remember was on he played on me late at night. The house was dark and if I remember correctly we had just finished watching a scary movie. I was walking to our room (the one that was once a garage) and had to pass the dining room table. He was hiding under it. When I walked past, he reached out and grabbed my ankle. While he did this he let out a wicked laugh and was breathing heavily. I am not sure if he was making himself sound more scary or if it was because he was excited about getting someone with his joke. I screamed so loud and freaked out. He came out and felt bad that he had scared me that bad.
Steve was and is a good brother. He is giving and he would do anything to help his family out. Our family is blessed to have him as a sibling. I know my father was proud to have him at his bedside during his last moments of life. He took great care of our dad in the ICU and in Hospice.
I went home in tears. I was unconsolable. Finally, Mom and Steve got it out of me. Steve was angry and ready to go to the school and beat up those boys. I asked him not to do it because I worried it would make matters worse for me. He said he wouldn't because I asked him not to do it. He was so angry, and in his anger I saw how much a big brother loves his sister.
Another memory I have of Steve is when he would practice his trumpet. I remember walking home and hearing it blast throughout the neighborhood. At times it was my welcome home and at other times when I had a headache I hoped he would stop when I got home. How he could play! I loved to see him play a "special song" in church on his trumpet.
One day while I was a freshman in high school Steve called from Phoenix. He pretended to be a police officer. Steve loves to play practical jokes. He could and should look into being a stand-up comic. I picked up the phone and in a professional sounding voice he proceeds with the following: "This is the Yuma Police. We have been tracking some criminal activity at the local high school. We have been following your daughter, Lucy. She has been seen with some students involved in (I can't remember what crime he said)___________. Wait....who is this??"
I got very scared. I had always tried to do what was right and keep myself out of trouble. He kept yelling "Who is this?" Finally, I said, "It's Kiki. It's Kiki." My heart was pounding so hard I thought it was going to rip my chest in two. He started talking again and asked for my parents. At that point I recongizned his voice and said, "Steve, is that you?" He started to laugh. I'll never forget this joke.
Steve was always doing jokes. No one was past his sceming ways. He would try to get anyone or everyone he could. The next joke I remember was on he played on me late at night. The house was dark and if I remember correctly we had just finished watching a scary movie. I was walking to our room (the one that was once a garage) and had to pass the dining room table. He was hiding under it. When I walked past, he reached out and grabbed my ankle. While he did this he let out a wicked laugh and was breathing heavily. I am not sure if he was making himself sound more scary or if it was because he was excited about getting someone with his joke. I screamed so loud and freaked out. He came out and felt bad that he had scared me that bad.
Steve was and is a good brother. He is giving and he would do anything to help his family out. Our family is blessed to have him as a sibling. I know my father was proud to have him at his bedside during his last moments of life. He took great care of our dad in the ICU and in Hospice.
Memories of My Big, but Little Sister by Mia "Lucy" Lowry
My sister Mary Villanueva was my first playmate as a child. She loved to play dolls and barbies with me. I remember how we would spend our summer's playing with dolls and playing school.
We would use the sidewalk as a slip and slide during those hot summer months. Sometimes if we had money and Mom could take us, we would go to the swimming pool either near the church or the one at Yuma High School.
I remember "borrowing" (using this word loosely) her clothes without her permission when I was older. Since she made her clothes and had lots to wear I reasoned it was no big deal. I would try to put it back exactly like she had it, but she always knew I had used her clothes. What was (and still) neat to me is not necessarily her definition of neatness. She took after Mom in all of Mom's good qualities.
At times we would argue and fight over silly childish things, but in the end we would make up because we loved each other. I remember one time she punched me so hard that I flew against the wall and all the air went out of me. She knew she was going to be in trouble if I started to wail as soon as I caught my breath. She promised that if I did not cry I would receive from her an entire pack of gum. This promise was given to me quite often by my siblings. If I ever remember how many times this promise was made and finally received these packs of gum. I think I would have enough to open my own gum store.
My favorite memory with my sister was one Christmas. I was asking for a special Barbie doll that year. When the presents started showing up under the tree (Santa never came to our home), I found a box that resembled a Barbie box. I was so excited! That Christmas Eve after church I opened my gift and saw that it was indeed a doll, but not a Barbie doll. It was one of those plastic cheap imitation Barbies that did not have a full head of hair. She only had hair coming out of the middle of her head. I was so upset! My sister tried her best to cheer me up. We took pictures pretending we were opening our gifts from Santa. Mom still has those pictures. These are some of my favorite pictures of my sister and me.
She also wanted me to experience what other children experienced. Her and Suzie got together and decided to tell me about the Tooth Fairy. This was not a hard task since I was (and sometimes still am) gullible. Together they got money from I still do not know where and gave me a wonderful childhood memory. My sister was always big hearted and thinking of others and how she could make things special. I remember one year how she talked my Mom into giving me a surprise birthday party. I believe it was my 10th birthday party. One of my friend's spilled the beans, but I was still happy to know that she was willing to do this for me.
I remember how she called me one day after I heard the horrible news that I might have to give birth to Celeste in the hospital. I was a wreck! She promised me she would be there with me and make sure all my wishes would be done and my fears would be avoided. I know she would have done that for me, but thankfully, I gave birth to Celeste in the hospital. She was there and got to cut her cord, dress her and do other things for Celeste that I can't remember because I was so out of it. She was also there at the birth of Vincent and got to cut his cord too. It was nice to have my sister be there and take control. I remember how my midwife thought she was my Douala. She inherited this natural midwifery talent from Abuelita Maria.
I still remember how she surprised me at my Mom's for my baby shower (Celeste). I had no idea she was putting one together. It was such a nice thing and typical of my sister Tonie-always trying to make things special for others. I still remember my birthday in 2009 when Mom, Jovanni (well, she lived with me) came over with food and a cake. It was so unexpected and sweet. What a special day she gave to me!
No one can ever say she is not a hard worker. This she received from both of my parents. I know I will never ever be like her even though as a child this was my dream, but I am so thankful she is my sister. Before I left Arizona, she and my mother-in-law got together to make our family a special going away party. I will never stop thanking God for my sister. I love her dearly and am glad I got to be a part of her life.
We would use the sidewalk as a slip and slide during those hot summer months. Sometimes if we had money and Mom could take us, we would go to the swimming pool either near the church or the one at Yuma High School.
I remember "borrowing" (using this word loosely) her clothes without her permission when I was older. Since she made her clothes and had lots to wear I reasoned it was no big deal. I would try to put it back exactly like she had it, but she always knew I had used her clothes. What was (and still) neat to me is not necessarily her definition of neatness. She took after Mom in all of Mom's good qualities.
At times we would argue and fight over silly childish things, but in the end we would make up because we loved each other. I remember one time she punched me so hard that I flew against the wall and all the air went out of me. She knew she was going to be in trouble if I started to wail as soon as I caught my breath. She promised that if I did not cry I would receive from her an entire pack of gum. This promise was given to me quite often by my siblings. If I ever remember how many times this promise was made and finally received these packs of gum. I think I would have enough to open my own gum store.
My favorite memory with my sister was one Christmas. I was asking for a special Barbie doll that year. When the presents started showing up under the tree (Santa never came to our home), I found a box that resembled a Barbie box. I was so excited! That Christmas Eve after church I opened my gift and saw that it was indeed a doll, but not a Barbie doll. It was one of those plastic cheap imitation Barbies that did not have a full head of hair. She only had hair coming out of the middle of her head. I was so upset! My sister tried her best to cheer me up. We took pictures pretending we were opening our gifts from Santa. Mom still has those pictures. These are some of my favorite pictures of my sister and me.
She also wanted me to experience what other children experienced. Her and Suzie got together and decided to tell me about the Tooth Fairy. This was not a hard task since I was (and sometimes still am) gullible. Together they got money from I still do not know where and gave me a wonderful childhood memory. My sister was always big hearted and thinking of others and how she could make things special. I remember one year how she talked my Mom into giving me a surprise birthday party. I believe it was my 10th birthday party. One of my friend's spilled the beans, but I was still happy to know that she was willing to do this for me.
I remember how she called me one day after I heard the horrible news that I might have to give birth to Celeste in the hospital. I was a wreck! She promised me she would be there with me and make sure all my wishes would be done and my fears would be avoided. I know she would have done that for me, but thankfully, I gave birth to Celeste in the hospital. She was there and got to cut her cord, dress her and do other things for Celeste that I can't remember because I was so out of it. She was also there at the birth of Vincent and got to cut his cord too. It was nice to have my sister be there and take control. I remember how my midwife thought she was my Douala. She inherited this natural midwifery talent from Abuelita Maria.
I still remember how she surprised me at my Mom's for my baby shower (Celeste). I had no idea she was putting one together. It was such a nice thing and typical of my sister Tonie-always trying to make things special for others. I still remember my birthday in 2009 when Mom, Jovanni (well, she lived with me) came over with food and a cake. It was so unexpected and sweet. What a special day she gave to me!
No one can ever say she is not a hard worker. This she received from both of my parents. I know I will never ever be like her even though as a child this was my dream, but I am so thankful she is my sister. Before I left Arizona, she and my mother-in-law got together to make our family a special going away party. I will never stop thanking God for my sister. I love her dearly and am glad I got to be a part of her life.
Monday, October 4, 2010
The Singing Toddler
When Jovanni was a little toddler she loved to sing and sing for you. She would get upset if you were not listening to her. Once she was singing to her Tio Chuck and he thought she was done singing (she had been singing for a very long time); so, he clapped his hands.
She protested, "I'm not done!!!"
Chuck's reply, "You've been singing for so long I thought you were done."
She protested, "I'm not done!!!"
Chuck's reply, "You've been singing for so long I thought you were done."
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