Fam(Yli)

My family consist of my Mom (YLI, Yliana), mi mami (Magdalena Almada), My Dad/grandpa, My Step-dad (Armando), Maggie [Yliana Magda (Yado) Villegas], Nena [Magdalena Monyc Yado], Martin (Rest in Peace), ME, Mando, Juan and Ene(delia). And then my wonderful extended family... I only named the people who I lived with. So if you are part of my family and I didn't mention your name don't feel upset I am thinking about you too! Those in California, as well as, those in Texas. I love you all! My mom Yli (ILLEE) connects us all. I would like this to be about her...

Okay, so I will start off by saying all the things I noticed my mom did not do when I was growing up.

She did not tuck me in and if she did I don't remember.

She did not live with me until I was 9 1/2 years old.

She did not pick me up on time after practices or games.

She did not go watch all of my performances.

She did not pay for my car or car insurance.

She did not sing me lullabies Or did she?

She did not force me to do my First Communion in Second Grade.

~This is kind of hard!!

That is because she DID so much. When I was younger I would complain about the silly things she did not do as opposed to all the wonderful things she did do. The past two years away from home have given me the opportunity to reflect upon the marvelous person my mom is.

I use to wish that I had a mom who would have tucked me in when I was little and would have read me books and from what I recall she did not do that. However, she did work and give money to my grandparents who were my caregivers. She also visited me everyday. She was a mother to my sisters and to our friends. She was the cool mom you could talk to about anything. She use to take us to the park and play with us. Spin me on the tire swing until I threw up, really I did :( She would take us to the carnival, zoo, library, museums, everywhere a kid wanted to go. She registered me for softball (coach pitch) and had me take baton classes. She knew I loved arts and crafts so she signed me up for a class. I also loved to write poetry and she encouraged me to be involved in Prose and Poetry Competitions which I was ranked superior in because of all the practice I did with her. I won writing competitions (boy, have times changed...LOL) and she went to see me get my awards. She trusted me...

When I was 9 1/2 my mom decided to move to Idaho in order for all of her kids to live with her which was nearly impossible any other way. During that time I was so torn. I loved the parents who had raised me and I also loved the fact that I would finally be living with my mom. So when push came to shove I knew that right thing to do was to embrace the love and move with her. However it was not as easy as it sounds. I was depressed for many years to come. I was not use to being away from the parents who raised me and definetly was not use to being the middle child.

My mom tried to get me involved in everything from Orchestra to Soccer to Girl Scouts to Band and so much more. I was trying to have a good time. However it was not the same. I missed the California sun and nearby beaches. I missed the attention I got from my daddy. I missed not having to do chores. This is when I looked at all the negatives. Such as the things I mentioned up above but in reality those things were not needed. I did not need to be spoiled. I did not need to be pampered. What I needed was someone to love me. And Yli sure did. Even with the temper tantrumps I pulled.
My Mom is the best, she encourages me she gives me the option to do what I need to do to be happy! And I love it.
Thanks MOM!!