The thing is, that's where we grew up!

Iztapalapa 19?? - 2016 

 My older brother sent me photos of our grandparents' house after it had been demolished... 

 My grandparents occupied that house at the beginning of the 20th century. 

 My great-grandmother was San Lucas Church's Priest friend in Iztapalapa, Mexico city; She got more than just good conversations since my grandmother Cande and my grandfather Emilio arrived there, after getting married. 

  In that house the kitchen was bigger than bedrooms and barely smaller than the living room.

 

  It had 4 large pots, a large space for pots and pans; she always provided full service; door had colored glass that let natural light in. 

  Its hardware was difficult to wash but gave him a good and warm view. 

   At the entrance on the red floor were three fifths coins for lucky.

   There was a large square table used to making the "Pan de Muerto" bread and my grandmother's shelf was full of various models of tableware from that time. 

   There was a little glass with a handle that my mother bought her when things were getting harder to her and we served her warm apple soda... 

   My grandfather had his land and a very complete store for its time, in fact, he was one of the first to have selling liquor permission, so beer was the main magnet to everyone for making a mandatory stop to greet " Tío Güero ". 

  " Los Tres Quintos " was where we entered instead of using the hallway, we greeted my grandfather with a kiss on the hand and helped him sell (and consume). 

  Whenever we were missing something for lunch we just went to the store, except for tortillas or bread, they had everything. 

   When my grandfather died it was closed and things were given away at every monthly Mass until the end of that year. He always had enough for everyone. There was a huge stone outside that served as a bench for everyone who gathered to drink and talk about the day and family things. 

   You shouldn't take anything without having delivered there, having had to sort the boxes of soda, the bags of rice or help with something.

   That space later became the garage for a car. The original land was about triple what is left now; My Grandmother gave some land to uncles, cousins ​​and others when the scriptures were not so required and the word took on much more weight; At least we grew up in a fenced house, where the neighbors still had cows in what they later adapted as their kitchen... 

   She was generous, it was enough for some woman who had taken a bad step and who had no resources to look for her, to take care of, or to finish her pregnant's care. 

   I don't know if anyone counted how many people were born there. It wasn't even necessary for them to be family... that's why many residents of the area called them " Uncles ." 

   I also don't know how many they baptized. 

   Tradition said that if someone arrived and greeted them as uncles, then they were also "our" uncles or cousins.  There are many family members without the need for common surnames. 

   There was always family in the house. 

   My Grands' celebrations were true social gatherings where family and friends arrived days in advance; Food was prepared for breakfast, lunch, dinner and giving the itacate ... (with food and tuppers!) to everyone who helped to cook, clean or serve. 

   Grandmother was very devoted to the Church and sent us to ask for cooperation to religious festivals, pilgrimages, brotherhoods and of course: Las Posadas! If there is something that we learned without realizing it, it was sharing the celebrations with all kind of people; preparing bags of candy, lining up for the piñata and eagerly waiting until we could eat fruit from the Day of the Dead Offering; without wanting to eat anything but those breads that smelled so delicious!

   Many things happened in that house that filled with happiness our childhood.