Today is my grandmother’s birthday. She was born on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1914.

Her name was Carmen.

At 16. Carmen, is a beautiful, confident young woman.

She immigrated from Mexico to the United States. She had a brilliant mind.

This is a photo of her mother, my Great Grandmother, Felipa.  A strong, determined, lovely woman in her own right.

Today on the day of my grandmother’s birth, I celebrate her life filled with kindness and generosity shared with all and the amazing legacy she left to my family. She was dedicated to her faith, her family and her profession as an educator.

She attended the University of California at Los Angeles, UCLA, at a time where most women of her day were denied the opportunity. She was fascinated with the study of languages and spoke English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.  She graduated Summa Cum Laude and became a high school foreign language instructor and adjunct community college professor. She was 100% convinced that through the power of education, people could rise above poverty and achieve their dreams. I still believe that to be true.

I am the oldest grandchild and with that came a few perks!

Grandpa and me!

One of the perks I enjoyed was the ability to travel extensively with my grandparents. We had great adventures,my grandparents and I in Latin America and Europe. We also had a week-end trip to the Grand Canyon in Arizona. The photo above is of me with my grandfather on my first traveling experience. We took the train from Los Angeles to the Canyon and I loved it!  I also love the the camera, hanging off my neck. I had forgotten until recently, how much I enjoyed taking photographs. It’s a hobby that I’m currently rediscovering!

On the lawn of my grandparents home.

My grandmother passed away in 1992, just 4 days after visiting with me and my youngest son, Aaron who just a year old at the time. The visit took place at John Douglas French Center for Alzheimer’s Disease. Yes, my grandmother with the brilliant mind, extensively well read, lover of God and books and foreign films, global traveler, patron of the arts, opera, concerts and musicals, singer and piano player…by a stroke of fate…lost her brilliant mind.

This could be a story with a sad ending, but my friends, it’s not. It’s only the beginning of a story yet to be told. I miss my grandmother, but cherish her memory daily. She lived a life filled with seeking her passion and this often fuels me to remember to do the same.

My Grandmother, though lost to Alzheimer’s in her last years of life, planted the seeds of faith, hope and dreams in my life. She stood up for her family in times of adversity. She taught me to be strong, even though sometimes I didn’t want to be. She held firm to the belief that, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” And that the key to opening that door to the future was education. And for that, I will be forever grateful.

My grandmother was a kind and generous woman to be sure!

Today for #RAKweek Day 4, your mission, is to Bring a Treat to a Neighbor or Co-worker!

Are you up for the challenge? What will you do this week, to jump start your journey of modeling  kindness ?

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