Abuelas share their story/advice for generations (TODAY Illustration / Courtesy Maria Reyes, Teresa Iglesia, Sonia Nieto)
In Latin American homes across the U.S., elders, especially matriarchs like abuelas, often preserve traditions and define family values.
While family structures vary across these cultures, and not every family has a living, present or biological abuela, their influence is seen across pop culture (look no further than Mama Coco in “Coco”) and felt in real people’s lives.
Lisette Norman is the author of two children’s books (“Plátanos Go with Everything” and “Abuela’s Library”) that honor the wisdom of abuelas.
Speaking to TODAY.com, Norman explains how she came to understand the important role abuelas hold in Latin American communities, despite not growing up with her own biological grandparents, who died before she was born.
In the New York neighborhoods of Washington Heights and Harlem where she grew up, there was always a “community abuela,” or a respected grandmother figure.
“If we were misbehaving, they would put us in our place, and we were very respectful as if they were our own grandmother,” Norman recalls.
“They really are pillars of the community. They hold communities together,” she continues, explaining the vital role of abuelas. “They offer so much — advice, love, wisdom, kindness and strength.”
Below, six abuelas reflect on the roads behind them and the hopes they hold for their grandchildren.
Sonia Nieto: Seeing my heritage live on in my 12 grandchildren
Sonia Nieto with her family.
Sonia Nieto, 81, describes herself as “blessed” to have 12 grandchildren, all of whom lovingly call her “Alala.” Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, to Puerto Rican parents, Nieto identifies as Nuyorican.
Nieto’s bilingual and bicultural identity is something she cherishes, recalling fond memories of her childhood in her family’s fifth-floor walk-up tenement apartment. Holidays were special gatherings with uncles, aunts, cousins and friends who were “como familia,” like family.
Being Puerto Rican has shaped and grounded me, and it has also helped me understand others who are different from me. Diversity is our greatest strength; I just wish everyone would realize it.
Now living in Amherst, Massachusetts, Nieto wants her grandchildren to carry a sense of self-love and respect, informed by their heritage.
I want my grandchildren to know that they, like all children, deserve respect and dignity, and that they have a responsibility to leave the world better than they found it. I want them to be proud of who they are and where they come from. And I want them to know that they are lovable.
Maria Reyes: Honor those who sacrificed their lives for a better future
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Maria Reyes, 52, was born in Mexico and came to the United States when she was just 15 months old. Her family settled in Tyler, Texas, where she grew up navigating both her Mexican roots and her American surroundings.
Today, she’s proud of the traditions that connect her to previous generations, especially those tied to food and music.
We bond by cooking traditional foods like tamales, listening to Mexican music from cumbias, norteñas, salsa, and singing along with Pedro Infante, Vicente Fernández, and José Alfredo Jiménez. It’s a feeling of pride and emotion when you hear Mariachis and ‘hechando gritos’ just like your dad and uncles.
Like many immigrant families, Reyes’ parents were tireless in their efforts to give their children better opportunities. Their sacrifices are ones Reyes holds close to her heart.
The sacrifices that our parents made to provide their children with a better life is truly indicative of what Latino culture is all about. It’s laying roots for the foundation and a village to support each other and each other’s extended families.
She wants to pass that pride on to her grandson, who calls her “Abuelita.”
Don’t forget where you came from, remember your roots and the loved ones who paved the way for you to have the life you have now. Always be proud of your Mexican heritage and learn and pass on our traditions. Do this in memory of me and your great grandparents who were so brave to forge a new life in the USA.
Venancia Saco: ‘I was not afraid’
Venancia Saco with her granddaughter, Maddie Goetz.
At 90 years old, Venancia Saco looks back fondly on her childhood in Cuba. Growing up in the coastal town of Antilla, one of her favorite memories was swimming in the ocean.
I loved going to the beach. I swam in the ocean in Antilla all the time. It was surrounded by water. My dad would tell me not to swim because of sharks, but I didn’t care. I was not afraid.
Born and raised in Cuba, she moved to the U.S. in 1969 during political unrest. As the 10th child in her family, Saco didn’t have the chance to know her grandparents, though she was named after her grandmother. Today, her own grandchildren call her by many names: Abuelita, Abuela, Mima, Bita, Mami and Veni. To each, she gives the same heartfelt advice.
Always be honest, kind, study hard and be respectful to everyone no matter what.
Saco’s granddaughter Maddie Goetz has created a special bond with her through social media videos, capturing her grandmother’s candid stories and advice. For Goetz, these videos are more than just moments of fun; they are treasured memories she will hold onto forever.
Making videos with my abuela has been one of the best experiences of my life. My abuelita is my favorite person on this planet. Both of my parents worked all day when I was a kid, so Mima would come over at 6 a.m., make my breakfast (cafe con leche con pan), make my lunch, and take care of me. Mima was there every time I was sick to take care of me, and every time I was sad to take me to lunch. Mima is 90 years old now, so all of the time we get together is precious. I will cherish these videos of Mima and I having fun together and laughing forever. It is also amazing to see the connection that viewers have to the videos, whether it’s that Mima reminds them of their abuela or that their abuela passed away and seeing videos of me and Mima warms their hearts.
Teresa Iglesia: ‘The day political upheaval reshaped my life’
Teresa Iglesia and her family.
Born in Cuba, Teresa Iglesia’s life changed abruptly in 1966 when political upheaval forced her family to leave the country. Ten-year-old Iglesia was pulled out of school and, within 24 hours, her family left their home for the United States.
Being pulled out of school in fifth grade, coming home and finding the military police telling my parents to fill out one suitcase while pointing a machine gun at them. We were kicked out and driven to the airport. We left Cuba the following day.
After arriving in the U.S. under the Cuban Adjustment Act, Iglesia settled with her family in Moraga, California. Now 69 years old, she reflects on how that day shaped the rest of her life and the values she continues to pass on to her six grandchildren.
They see how their abuela and abuelo studied hard and had successful careers. This country welcomed us with open arms. Forever grateful.
Her grandchildren affectionately call her “Abuela,” and Iglesia takes pride in teaching them about strong family bonds, a value she says is rooted deeply in her Cuban culture. She fondly recalls her own grandparents, who would sit on the floor and play with her before she left Cuba. That family connection is what drives the advice she gives to her grandchildren today.
Family is here to help you out in any way. Work hard and get a good education.
Ruth Gonzalez: Filling the ‘missing puzzle piece’
Ruth and her granddaughter
Ruth Gonzalez, called “Nana” by her grandchildren, carries her Latina heritage deep in her heart and shares her sense of being shaped by her parents’ journey from Mexico to the United States.
Born in East Los Angeles, Gonzalez’s childhood was marked by growing up with a single mother and the oldest of five siblings.
Gonzalez, 52, took these challenges and turned them into inspiration for striving for a different sort of life.
I was one of those gifted kids, and I always wanted to be an astronaut. I love space, and a defining moment for me was when I actually ended up growing up and getting into the aerospace industry. I’m not an astronaut, but I ended up being in the field. So (I say) believe in yourself and (what you’re) wanting to be.
Now as a “Nana,” Gonzalez has found another purpose: watching her grandchildren be part of the world.
Being a mom was life-changing, but becoming a Nana completed me. It filled that missing puzzle piece. With my kids, I was always so cautious, but with my granddaughter, it’s more relaxed — ‘You’re fine, get dirty, have fun.’”
Gonzalez hopes to pass on her love of learning and instill strength in her granddaughter, teaching her that the world is her oyster.
“I want her to know that she’s smart, and that she can do anything she sets her mind to.”
Silvia Romero: ‘They need to be themselves’
Silvia Romero’s family.
For Silvia Romero, called “grandma” by her three grandkids, family has always been at the forefront of her life. Born in California to Mexican American parents who had 11 kids, she has fond memories of family gatherings, celebrating major milestones and continuing traditions all together.
Romero says her childhood was always filled with people who offered comfort, safety and fun.
Our friends were our brothers and sisters. We didn’t really develop a lot of friendships outside of our family. We were at mom and dad’s every weekend, somebody was having a birthday party, a carne asada. When I first left my house, we moved in with (my husband) Marcelo’s parents, so there was nine in his family. When we moved out to our little trailer, I had to have the TV on all the time because I had to hear somebody talking. But the big thing was family, we were all there.
As her grandkids continue the family legacy, Romero, 64, says she will always be proud of them and hopes they are true to themselves.
I always say, they need to be themselves. They need to be who they are and not let anybody change them. And regardless of what they (do), whether they work at McDonald’s or whether they work in the hospital, whether they’re lawyers, we’re always going to be proud of them.
This article was originally published on TODAY.com
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Publish date : 2024-10-14 19:44:00
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