My father was born in Colombia. He immigrated to the United States in his late teens and later joined the United States Air Force, at the age of 27 I believe. From my understanding, he grew up in a home with neither his mother nor father being present much. I had the pleasure of knowing my Abuelita, a beautiful woman who truly embodied the idea of a South American Latina. I visited Colombia when I was 26 years old, stayed there a month and tried to meet as many of his relatives as possible. I discovered he had three half siblings – one of whom was diagnosed with schizophrenia (which her mother had as well), a brother who was my Abuelo’s caretaker (and who was clearly mentally unstable as well) and another brother who had his own tax company he ran together with his wife – he had two beautiful kids. I met several cousins and granduncles and grandaunts, an amazing experience.