PERSONAL CHILDHOOD WEB

Thinking about my childhood and the people that made a significant impact, only a couple come to mind (at least in a positive way).....my grandmothers, my aunt and my uncle.

I was raised by two amazing sets of grandparents, and interestingly enough they lived on two floors of a three-family house.  Thinking back to those times, my memories are amazing because I always felt a sense of belonging in both their houses, upstairs and downstairs.  My memories are endless and many live on with me even though presently I only have one grandfather and one grandmother still living.  In addition, I had (and still have) an aunt and an uncle who mean a lot to me.  My uncle is my mother's brother and my aunt is my father's sister.  It's funny when you think about the tangled web in my family because the kicker is that my parents are cousins!  Yes, cousins!  So, it's complicated....  Anyway, here are some pictures I would like to share...



First is my grandmother, Angela Nievely Hernandez, who I miss dearly.  She passed away when I was only 17, but she lives in my heart forever.  She was the one who showed me how to cook.  She broke her arm when I was an early teen and told me it was the perfect opportunity for me to learn how to cook for her and my grandfather.  She really taught me everything I know how to make and I really enjoy cooking, always have, just because of her.  She took really good care of me and always showed me a lot of love.  One of my fondest memories is how she would come to my room with warm milk every morning when she would kiss my grandfather good-bye for work.  I would sip it, she would kiss me and I would go back to sleep for two more hours.  It was the most loved I have felt my entire life.  She made me the mother I am today, showing love to each of my boys every day of their lives.  Here is a picture of her on her 15th birthday in Cuba...... beautiful!!

Next is my maternal grandmother, Margarita Martinez, who presently resides in a nursing home in Orlando, Florida where my mother and uncle care for her.  She was a very caring a nurturing person in my life.  She was also the disciplinarian.  She watched over my grades and made sure I stayed on track.  My memories with her are endless because we still go see her every year and she is very close to my children.  She instilled educational goals into me that I try to carry out to make her proud.  Also, I instill the same goals onto my children because of her and everything she showed me.  Here is a picture of her just a few months ago with my oldest son...

 

 

Last, but certainly not least, are my aunt Josephine and my uncle Louie.  Josephine is Angela's daughter from above and Louie is Margarita's son.  Each was only 15 when I was born and I have many memories of them.  They were like my big brother and sister.  Always giving me advice about friends, boys and school.  They were always checking on me to make sure I was doing well.  That carries over to today.  I have a very close relationship with my aunt, she is my rock and my uncle, although far away, always calls to make sure that my kids and I are doing okay.  They are both professionals who were the first in our family to obtain a Master's degree.  I am very proud of following their example.  Here is a picture of both of them on my birthday.......

 

Well, those are the four people who were and are very significant in my life.  I love them all and am very thankful to have been able to call them my "family!!"