Prologue 

My mother made the big depiction to leave all of her family at 16 to move with her Partner to California. My siblings and I only knew Spanish growing up as my mother never had an education or many experiences with English. This book will talk about the language transitions off my family.

                        My family 

I have two older sisters that are 45 and 39 and an 18 year old brother. We are each very different people with different lives but when we are together we always find common things to talk about and reflect on important memories. What is your family like?

                       Mom        

My mother Maria was born in Durango Mexico and only spoke Spanish until many years after being in California when she grasped some English from work. Today she works at a school and loves for my brother and I to talk to her in Spanish for practice.

                     Sister

My oldest sister is Laura who was born in California and moved to Texas with my mother and had one son. Her first language was Spanish and she learned English from school. She is more fluent in Spanish and currently works in the restaurant industry and sells goods. 

                     Sister

My second oldest sister is named Mayra and has always lived in California. Her first language and most proficient is Spanish but has the best vocabulary in English. She associates that with having her masters and working as a sergeant for LASD for over a decade. 

                   Brother

The youngest is my brother Alan who was raised with mostly Spanish and some English. He struggled with speech issues and was in ESL and other programs to help until graduation. He still has some struggles with communication today but likes to chat with friends while playing video games. 

                  ME!

I was born in California and moved to Texas when I was 8. I lived in dallas for 2 years, Plano for 1, and Allen for 12 years. I feel like I have moved a lot, have you? I have always expressed thoughts and feelings through art and music.