Not Your Ordinary Abuela

For many of us, the word "abuela" conjures up images of cozy kitchens filled with the aroma of home-cooked meals, tales of resilience, and unconditional love that warms even the coldest of days. But for me, "abuela" is not just a word—it’s a legacy. My two grandmothers were anything but ordinary. Their stories, sacrifices, and dreams laid the foundation for the woman I am today. As I launch my podcast, Nietas, and the Rest of Their Story, I want to honor these remarkable women who shaped my life and inspire me to honor their memories in every step I take.

The New York Foster Mom Extraordinaire

My maternal grandmother was a force to be reckoned with. Born and raised in New York, she married at the tender age of 16 and started building a family while still barely an adult herself. But her heart was far bigger than her household. She opened her doors to hundreds of foster children over the years, eventually adopting two of them, and was named Foster Mom of the Year—a well-deserved recognition for a woman who lived to serve others.

She was opinionated and fiercely protective of her family, but her love was undeniable, even in her toughest moments. Her cooking was legendary, with her block cheese dishes rivaling even the fanciest cuisines. She poured her love into every meal and every child she cared for, making everyone feel like they belonged. Though she never attended college, she dreamed her nietas would, believing education was the gateway to a better future.

The Puerto Rican Farm Matriarch

On the other side of my family was my paternal grandmother, a woman whose life was rooted in the lush, green hills of Ciales, Puerto Rico. Married at 14, she raised 11 children on a farm where she grew her own food, cooked with unmatched love, and poured her joy into every dish. She had the best laugh—a laugh that could light up the darkest room—and her eyes sparkled with warmth and mischief.

Despite the hardships of poverty, she was the most giving person I have ever known. If she had a dream, it was to win the lottery, but she never let that stop her from sharing whatever little she had with others. Her grandchildren were the light of her life, and her faith in us was boundless. Like my maternal grandmother, she, too, dreamed her nietas would achieve the kind of education and opportunities that were out of her reach.

### The Wildest Dream

Neither of my grandmothers went to college. Yet, their dreams and sacrifices ensured that my siblings and I could. They dreamed that their nietas would break barriers, embrace opportunities, and live lives that honored their struggles. And we did. Today, I proudly carry the mantle of their hopes and dreams, knowing that I am their wildest dream come true.

In moments of doubt, I remember that they are watching over me, joined in heaven by my parents, as part of what I like to call my "spiritual mafia." Together, they guide me, protect me, and remind me of the power of resilience, love, and community.

Not Just Abuelas, But Ancestors

My grandmothers were more than matriarchs; they were trailblazers in their own right. Their stories remind me that greatness doesn't always come with a degree or a title. It comes with love, grit, and the willingness to sacrifice for others. They inspire me to keep sharing stories of women like them—women whose legacies ripple through generations.

Through Nietas, and the Rest of Their Story, I aim to amplify these voices and honor the strength, wisdom, and love that abuelas everywhere bring to their families. My grandmothers were not ordinary. They were extraordinary. And because of them, I am, too.

To my amazing ancestors: thank you for your sacrifices, your dreams, and your love. I am here because of you, and I promise to make you proud.

A SPANGLISH POEM TO SUM UP THIS ARTICLE

Mis abuelas eran todo menos ordinary,

una en Nueva York, otra en el campo solitario.

Con block cheese y risas que iluminaban,

sus manos y corazones el mundo sanaban.

La de Nueva York, fuerte y opinionated,

con un corazón grande, foster kids she elevated.

Nunca fue a college, pero so?ó que sus nietas sí,

y aquí estoy, Abuela, cumpliendo por ti.

En Ciales, PR, la otra sembró amor,

cocinando con su tierra, su alma y su valor.

Se casó a los 14, crió 11 con dedicación,

pobre pero rica en amor y compasión.

She laughed con sus ojos, dreamed of the lotto,

pero daba más de lo que tenía, siempre al tanto.

Sus nietos eran su orgullo, su más grande alegría,

y su fe en nosotros iluminaba el día.

Mis abuelas, mis raíces, mis guardian angels,

en el cielo con mis padres, parte de mi mafia espiritual.

Sus sacrificios, sus sue?os, su esperanza en mí,

son el motor que me impulsa, lo que nunca perdí.

Soy su nieta, su wildest dream,

en mi sangre su fuerza, su luz, su gleam.

Hoy cuento su historia en Spanglish rhythm and rhyme,

porque su legado es eterno, trasciende el tiempo y el tiempo.

**Gracias, Abuelas, por ser extraordinarias,

por su amor, su fe, y sus vidas legendarias.**