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My Children and My Grandmother
Ru Ru (Reuel) Suki (Rebecca) Irma Agapita
 I gave birth to six children the oldest was Ru Ru (aka Reuel), then Suki (aka Rebecca), and Little Irma Maria Agapita named after Mama Grande, and Dominic, each born one year apart. Ronnie came four years later, and my last baby, Belle Sheri, came ten years after Ronnie. Estrellita and Ronnie would get a "Kick" out of selling flowers together because they loved spending their money on buying candies, salatitios (salted plums) and toys together. Regrettably, my marriages were not successful. I became a struggling single parent. My children were my first priority, and love bonded us together. My niece Frances and Belle Sheri would love dressing up, giggling and playing together. We spent most of their childhood on Olvera Street.
Frances and Belle Sheri
My first born, Reuel, who we called "Ru Ru," received a great deal of attention from his Great Grandmother (Mama Grande). When he was six months old, she would wake him from his nap and take him to her room to feed him small crumbs of “pan dulce” (Mexican sweet bread). She cut off the edges of her favorite brown hat and embroidered R.H. on the very center so that Ru-Ru would always wear it. He still has it as a memory of her. She was 92 when she gave this gift to her grandson.
 Mama Grande was 94 at the time of her death. She danced her last dance in our kitchen that very same day with my one-year-old daughter, Suki (aka Rebecca). Mama Grande felt ill that afternoon. Mother called the doctor. She tried holding Mama Grande up while I changed the sheets on the bed, but her weight was too much. Mother fell on her knees with Mama Grande on top of her, seriously damaging Mother's knees. I was nine months pregnant. I managed to roll Mama Grande on the bed, and assisted Mother on to her bed in the adjoining bedroom. It was an extremely sad day for us all. Mother called out to me from her room, "Is Mama all right, Mijita?" Mama Grande rolled over to her right side with both hands clasped together by her face in sleeping position. She took two deep breaths and passed away. I was very worried about what to tell Mother since she was injured and not able to come to Mama Grande's side. I quickly said, "She is asleep and resting now, Mother." I quietly cried and kissed her, still, warm face.
 Three days after Mama Grande's death, I gave birth to my beautiful baby daughter Irma. It was a "Great Day," but also a very sad one. Everyone was at Mama Grande's funeral except me. I was still at the hospital with my baby girl, and Mother was in bed at home being taken care of by my sister Irma.
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