My Chilean heritage

My mother emigrated from Chile soon after Allende was elected president of Chile in 1970. She was living in Puerto Rico when she met my father, and they married in 1974, which is how she became a US citizen. I have visited Chile many times in my life, and every time I have an amazing experience. My family there is very hospitable and make you truly feel like you a part of the family. In 2003, I stayed four months in Chile and got to know my family quite well, especially my Lala. I spent time with her almost every day, for hours, listening to her talk about everything and anything, including my Lalo, her time as a child and teenager, the time during the Allende and Pinochet eras, her values and beliefs, and so on. I cherish the time I spent with her, and I shall use how her family’s presence in her life there as a model for what our family shall be here in Israel.