It was 70 years ago this week that the first of my family arrived in the U.S. The woman who would become my grandmother, Abuela Belen, was a widow and talented seamstress who came to the U.S. in search for a better life, like millions before and after her.
She tried, but could never master the English language like my mother did. She got most of her information from Spanish-language newspapers, magazines, radio and TV and her Spanish-speaking neighbors, friends and co-workers in New York. She cared about her new country, and regularly voted in elections.
She was one of the most inspirational people in my life, and a very loving sweet woman. And, she was a good American.
