Para Mi Abuelita - For My Grandma

Tú eres la luz que siempre me guiará…
You are the light that will always guide me…

This past month my maternal Grandmother, Juanita Vasquez, turned 90! Our entire family threw her a big bash to celebrate how strong and amazing she is. My grandmother has always been a blunt, unapologetic and fearless woman. When I was younger, I never understood why she did certain things or said things the way she did, but as I became an adult, I started to understand her more and more each day. Juanita Vasquez worked every day since she was 9 years old working on fields with her father. She even helped her father build a house at the age of 11. She went on to marry Jesus Vasquez, my grandfather, and have 4 children. Sadly by 2003 she had lost two of her children and her husband. My grandmother is one of a kind, her entire family really is one of a kind. All her sisters are just as vigorous, passionate, stubborn and beautiful. I feel so blessed and honor to have such amazing Latina’s in my family. Recently my grandmother lost her younger sister to cancer. It wasn’t easy for her, but yet again her strength prevailed. I was sitting next to her at the funeral and I leaned over and whispered to her ear “I want you to know you are one of the strongest, badass and beautiful women I have ever encountered in my life. Thank you for showing me true strength grandma”. She grabbed my hand, gave me a kiss and said thank you mija.  

I love my grandmother so much, and the day I can no longer visit her will hurt the deepest part of my soul. But I will forever be grateful to have her for as long as I can and to make all the memories I can with her. One of those memories are baking her famous Apple Pie! Scroll down and watch a video I dedicate to her, as I attempt to make her delicious apple pie!  

I love you grandma, forever and always....