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Birth
The day of utmost importance and happiness was the day I was born and brought into this world. I would be expanding the family unit and accompanying my three and a half year old brother. I was quite the Diva and it would not take long before I became "Daddy's Little Girl." And still am! -
Baptism
My Baptism was an important event and even though I was the "main attraction" and not yet able to speak it was attended by numerous relatives. It is a Mexican tradition to follow it with a big feast. I was told I mostly slept through it all. Overall, it is a day of celebration in the Mexican culture. -
Mother's Day: Las Mananitas
Mother's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May in the United States of America. It is a Mexican tradition that the song Las Mananitas be sung to mothers on Mother's Day. I remember seeing members from the Church Choir arrive early in the morning to my grandmother's house and sing Las Manitas to her. She beamed with pride as tears streamed down her face. Such was the impact for me that I can still see her face with a smile throughout the whole day. I am proud to be a Hispanic young woman. -
Birthday Party
Celebrating a Birthday Party in a Hispanic culture always involved countless relatives, a vast amount of food, live music, armloads of gifts, and a pinata filled with candy.This was the norm for all the parties. I enjoyed all the attention then but mostly looked forward to spending quality time with family and still do. -
Quinceanera
The day I celebrated my fifteenth birthday was a very important day for me. It was my "farewell" to being a young girl and my "welcome" to me becoming a young lady. It was an event in my life that changed my future. I decided to seriously apply myself in school, attend college and make a name for myself. It is one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life. -
College Education
The day I graduated with a Bachelor's degree was an achievement that many Hispanic women thought impossible to accomplish, including me. Upon hearing my name announced it was with overwhelming pride that I reached for my diploma. The whole impact of finalizing my four years at the university overwhelmed me. It was then that I knew there would be more achievements in my future. -
Tamales/Hot Chocolate Tradition
An annual family tradition for the past 40 years that has been held at my grandparents' house is when we gather together to make tamales. The family consists of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren around the table making tamales. We reminisce about the past by sharing many stories, both sad and happy. This is my favorite family tradition because it is a day where everybody is truly happy and looking forward to eating fresh steamed tamales! It brings the family closer!! -
Day of the Dead
The Day of the Dead is a national holiday to remember and honor the dead. I remember we would gather at the cemetery to pray for our deceased loved ones, clean/spruce up their graves and adorn them with wreaths and fresh flowers. This is a tradition that I still participate in today out of love and respect for my deceased loved ones. It is of the utmost importance to me that I continue this tradition. I try my best to make my loved ones proud of me. -
Rosca de Los Reyes
Rosca de Los Reyes is celebrated in Hispanic communities every year. It consists of a large round pastry that is traditionally eaten on January Sixth to commemorate the arrival of the Three Wise Men.It is a tradition to place a figurine of the Christ child in the cake. Whoever finds the figurine in their piece of cake is blessed and must take the figurine to church on February Second. This person must host a tamale dinner to family and friends. It is a blessing to be a part of this tradition. -
Respect elders
As I look back on my childhood I remember learning at an early age that we must always honor and show respect towards our elderly. We are taught to speak respectfully in spanish and cater to them at all times. It was instilled in us that our elderly are to always be loved and cared for. It is a tradition that we all follow to this day and one that I am proud of.
