FAMILIA

Lizbeth Avalos

11th Grade • Phoenix Military Academy

My family Avalos - Nuestra musica brings everybody to their feet Growing up lo que escuchabas todos los días era el sonido del violín When family members from Texas, Missouri, and Mexico came to Chicago we knew it was about to be a real fiesta, una noche larga Noches llenas de música, niños corriendo y sonrisas Most of my childhood was spent running con los primos Playing volleyball at Gage Park after dad came from work — it was really our family hobby for years Going fishing was what I use to dislike the most, and now I can’t wait for a message from Dad saying, “Vamonos a pescar” Los dias eran mas facil, if I could go back in time I would

My family Ramírez - La religión y el respeto es lo más importante Going to church is what brings our mama and papa closer Dios, la virgen de Guadalupe, el niño de Atocha, gods that my mama told me stories about

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CDs from Mexico, hours and hours of everybody at the jaripeos and bailes — I’ll be there one day There was always those rainy nights with loud thunder, Mama would bring us to the basement stairs and make us wait till it was over — those nights were full of life-changing talks and arroz con leche Mi mama’s chocolate con bolillo, o un café con galletas, my favorite Mama y Papa, los que no te dejan ir de la casa sin comer Our grandparents are the core of the family

Family to me means memories and love like no other. I know I’ll never encounter love as such porque familia solo es una. This is my family and they mean the world to me. Two different families and environments, yet they made me who I am today. I am open minded, respectful, and most of all, appreciative. Esta es mi familia.

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