ANITA
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My mother started a little convenience store right after I was born, named after me: "Abarrotes Laurita."

I grew up watching her tend this store, and once I could talk, I would sit and watch it myself while mom did some laundry in the back (our house connected to the front store), prepared dinner, ironed clothes, or cleaned the house. Once a customer stepped in, I yelled, "Hablaaaan!" which translates to something like "They're calling."

When mom was the one tending the store, I watched her organize the items for sale, make price labels, clean the cabinets and vitrines, restock products, and during slow hours crochet. She crocheted doilies, dresses (she made me many dresses and skirts!), table cloths, and her signature item -- little hangers for the burnt out lightbulbs that she converted into water vases or planters.