La Rogativa in San Juan Puerto Rico honoring the women who saved the town from invasion.

My father was a loving and kind man. He was also very opinionated, loud and overbearing when it came to talking about politics, religion or just about any subject he disagreed with. I can still picture my mom and my three sisters sitting silently at the dining table most nights as Dad pontificated on the topic du jour. Mom typically busied herself putting dinner on the table or quietly sat and self-medicated with a cocktail and a cigarette.  Occasionally, my older sister Ann attempted to jump into the fray but was instantly shut down.  Not only did she never get her point across, such attempts usually ended in tears. True to my nature, I seldom went toe-to-toe with Dad because I wanted us all to be happy. Most of all I wanted to be seen as the good girl, the good daughter.  Fast forward 60 years. [Read more…]