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We all know what 4th of July represents.....Our independence from Britain in 1776 and when our Democracy was born.  On this day, Americans and everyone living in this great nation celebrate our independence with barbecues, picnics and family gatherings.   Throughout history, we have been celebrating with fireworks at large controled events at football stadiums or neighborhood block parties.

The 4th of July is a very special day to me, not only because it's our independence day but because on this day in 1916, my mother was born in the state of Jalisco in Mexico.  This year, my mother, Refugio Macias Serrano "Cuca" will celebrate her 93rd birthday in San Jose, CA.  Throughout the years, our family has gathered in San Jose to celebrate this great day.  My mother had five children who had twelve children who had had eight children and not counting about a hundred nieces and nephews.

Not all family members gathers in San Jose on this day but some of us do as a tradition throughout the years to celebrate my mother's birthday with stars and stripes, fireworks, cake and ice cream and "Las Mañanitas".  The stars bursting in air are especially moving because of our independence and at the end of the night, we all join in Kareoke.

I owe my mother my life, my freedom, my career, my triumphs and everything that we all take for granted in this nation of many people.  She worked out in the fields throughout the years and taught us that although this is a free nation, many people fought and died to make this happen and we should not take anyhthing for granted.  She taught us that nothing is free and we have to work and earn what we eat and where we sleep.  She showed us what working in the fields in 30 degree or 110 degree weather was like.  We learned, because we were there with her.  She worked hard so that we could get the education she didn't have and so that we could make something better of our lives.

My brother became a professor and Vice-Principal of a Redwood City high school where he is now retired.  My oldest sister, Lupe, who's birthday is July 6, recently retired as a teacher from the San Jose Unified School District.  My sister Rosa will be retiring as a Worker's Comp Manager for the County of Santa Clara after about 30 years and I was a deputy sheriff and have been a Private Investigator for 15 years, a Bail Agent and Notary Public.  I have also been involved in non profit organizations and investigator associations throughout the years.  She has been very proud of us and we thank her for our accomplishments.

My mother has told us many interesting stories throughout the years of her life struggles and great times in Mexico.  How she was studying to be a nun and how she met my father when she went to town one day.  My understanding was that he saw her, fell in love with her and convinced her to get married.  The stories of her life in Guadalajara were so moving that I wanted to see her "tierra" myself and in 1982, I drove her to Guadalajara where we met our cousins for the first time.  Since then, we have gotten very close and have traveled to Guadalajara numerouos times.  On one of those occasions, I met Alma, a friend of one of my cousins, and we soon got married.  She now also joins us in the tradition of the 4th of July.

The years have passes us by and we thank God that "Cuca" is still with us and wish her many more years.  Her mind is so sharp, she remembers everything, even things that I have forgotten.  She still tells us her stories and her favorites are when she marched along with Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta and the UFW in the fields of Delano and the San Joaquin Valley.  I know those stories to be true because I was also there in my younger years.  Happy Birthday Mom.  We love you!!