Mary

I remember her fondly and think of her often.

An immigrant from Monterrey, she seemed to love my mom and took care of all of us for years while both our parents worked. 

She never learned English. I would imagine she thought her time here temporary even though she worked and lived most of her adult life in the U.S. Like the rest of us, sometimes circumstances interfered with her best laid plans and dreams.   

Mary was probably one of many undocumented workers, living in the barrios of San Antonio before illegal immigration became a political issue. For us though, she was more than an employee paid in cash: Mary was a loyal friend.

Did you hear the bells ringing? An angel just earned her wings.