Mi Abuelita--Princess

From the hills of La Barca, México my great-great-grandmother, Angélica, met the pain of her
life Nicolas Jara, a ranchero from Guerrero, México. Together, the two sought to raise a family in the “free land of opportunities”. Patiently, my great-grandparents obtained documentation to carry out their lives in Azusa, California. Nicolas built his wife a big beautiful 18-century victorian house and small houses on the dirt ranches on San Gabriel Avenue. There, the Jaras extended their family to thirteen children. In 1938, my abuelita Rose Jara is the last born of thirteen. Rose lived a lavish childhood as Nicolas was a very hard working assuring he provided and spoiled his large family. Though, self-independence and hard work were to be taught to all of their children to create a good character. As a result, my abuelita had her first job at five-years-old collecting eggs from the chicken coop from heir ranch. Rose quickly strung her entrepreneur skills and sold eggs at our family restaurant. Additionally, five-year-old Rose had responsibilities at the family Restaurant El Patio. Although, Rose had other desires. 

As young as she was, Rose knew she was destined to be an artist. She attended Citrus High School then further pursued her academic career at Mt. Sac College. When Rose started college she immediately drowned in the art department and dedicated countless hours at the studio, eventually declaring an art major. Rose eventually ventured to different colleges for art. LA Trade Tech was Rose’s favorite college where she experienced various opportunities to expand her art career as a technical illustrator.

While focused on art, Rose met her first husband, Abu Rodriguez at Mt. Sac. Soon after, my abuelita was pregnant and gave birth to her first son, Ruben. My grandparents had five children and raised them in adjacent houses of my abuelita's home in Azusa, California. Rose eventually gave up her art passion to become a full-time mother of five and a waitress at our restaurant. My abuelita faced many challenges after this adjustment. My abuelo was a very abusive drunk that would torment Rose and their children. While raising five teenagers by herself and awaiting for an angry spouse to arrive home, Rose had enough. 

In 1976, my abuelita gave her life to the Lord, moments before committing suicide. While joining gangs and running the streets of Azusa, Rose’s children indirectly led her to her death. Until weeping Rose felt the presence of the Lord comfort her and surrounded her with happiness. Moving forward, God came first in Rose’s life. She divorced my abuelo after twenty-seven years of abuse and remarried her best friend, Herman. Rose, through the love of God, has been stronger throughout her lifetime. 

My abuelita has faced many challenges throughout her life yet she smiles and holds out loving arms for others. Rose is a loving mother of five children, a grandma of eleven and a great-grandma of twelve. Claiming her parent's house as hers, Rose welcomes everyone to her victorian home, where she cooks fiedo y frijoles for family and friends. Despite Rose’s challenges, the grace of God enlightens her mind, body, and soul to live her life to the fullest with kindness and love for all.