Grandpa Bartolo, 19 years old, 1944, Salamanca, Guanajuato
My paternal grandfather passed away in 1996, but before that he left his mark through his ability to heal with his hands and his influence on his family. I was lucky to see him almost every Sunday and get to know him. He was a little strict, I think you’d have to be with a bunch of grandkids running around your house, but always kind and loving.

Papá Chepe, 25 years old, 1945, Los Angeles
I’m very close to my maternal grandfather. Since I was a kid, he’s lived with my family when in Los Angeles. I love dancing with him and hearing his stories about when he was a kid or when he first came to LA as a bracero. He’s worked hard his entire life in the fields and as a gardener. He’ll be 91 in a few weeks.

Dad, 18 years old, 1972
There’s a lot of things that I admire about my dad. One of those has always been his willingness to better himself for his own good and that of his family. At a young age, I saw him change his life and become a better father and husband (he wasn’t a bad father/husband before, but there’s always room for improvement). He’s made some big changes and been a good example of the benefits of hard work, fait and will power.

Ten things I like about this family portrait from 1986:

1. Adrian barely fits in his clothes. He was a fat baby.
2. Lori and I are wearing matching dresses. I think they were homemade. Our earrings arracadas jerezanas, match too.
3. My parents look great. No surprise there.
4. Neither Danny nor I are smiling. I’m pretty sure I was trying to hide my messed smile.
5. My color. I’m sure no one looked at me as a kid and wondered why I was such a lighter shade of brown than my siblings. (Really, people have asked me this.)
6. There’s only a slight hint of gray in my dad’s hair. I forgot what he looked like with dark hair.
7. My mom is rocking the ’80s perm and big hair.
8. Lori’s bob blends in to my dad’s jacket.
9. Danny looks like he’s up to no good. Not a big surprise, since he broke a lot of stuff in our house growing up. (Have I told you about the time he and his friend decided to have a fight with the balls from our pool table and I got caught in the cross fire? Ouch.)
10. The Olan Mills tag at the bottom. We took a lot of portraits at Olan Mills.

I think we’re still a good looking bunch.

Adrian and I like to say we’re my mom’s favorites. I think the above photo is proof. Plus, I know she thinks Adrian is her best looking kid. She was joking then, of course.

Happy mother’s day, Mom!

And happy mother’s day to all the other marvelous mamas out there, especially my grandmothers, great aunts, aunts, cousins and friends.

Now, off to help with the tamales!

(Note: I didn’t pose with the beer because I wasn’t drinking at the time for medical reasons. Boring. At least I was a reliable designated driver.)