Chapter II: Before I was, there was...

Her brown hair was falling in her sweaty face; tired blue eyes and her short body pushed with exhaustion.

"Keep going, honey. You're almost there," he whispered in her ear. My grandfather. A tall Navy man with broad shoulders and callused hands. 

Coming into the world at ten pounds and some ounces was my mother, Patricia Raquel. She was the youngest edition to the family. Her oldest sister, Karen, peered into the nursery; eyes full of curiosity and excitement. 

"'Ohana means family; family means nobody gets left behind. Or forgotten." - Lilo and Stitch 

My mother and younger brother, Chase, are the family members I have known the longest. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, my mom stands five foot nine from the ground. Daughter of Patsy Ruth and Theodore Rosenau, she has her father's height, ears, and nose. On the other hand, she has my grandmother's eyes and her smile. 

Early adult years for my mom revolved around riding in her midnight blue Mustang with Rod Stewart, The Beach Boys, Journey, and Bon Jovi filling the air. Tennis and volleyball conquered her free time; she had a wicked backhand and a serious spike that would send the opposing team diving.

Today, she is a Special Education teacher. She enjoys cooking, landscaping, and remodeling. Nicholas Chase Brennan, Tate Connor Maldonado, and myself carry her genes.

Chase, my fourteen month younger brother, has her hair and eyes. He is a wrestler and football player. Just like any other teenage boy, girls and video games keep him occupied.

Tate is the youngest of the group with his father’s brown eyes and my mother’s warm brown hair. As a six year old, he loves playing cowboys and pirates, watching Sponge Bob Square Pants, and playing with his kittens.

Although my family is small, it's still good. We have been through a lot together, and at times we may not get a long, these are my people.