Were You Born Stupid? Tales of an Hispanic-American Family

"Were you born stupid?" is a phrase I often heard my father ask me as the eldest of his seven children. This is a memoir of what now seems an enchanted childhood, written through a boy's eyes, set in the 1950's through 70's, growing up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. It relates the trials and triumphs of our large, extended Hispanic family, a life abundantly joyful, sometimes brutal. Father was often away at work and missed out on much of the interaction between my mother, brother and sisters. Mother, who never wanted children in the first place, was stuck at home with her large brood. Sometimes she'd lock us out of the house the entire day (and command us "go play!") for some peace and quiet, while she cleaned our home and polished the floors. Though we grew up poor, we came to appreciate the small things--a close family being the most important. Our happiness didn't require alot of money. I hope to convey how rich, full, and blessed life has been for the familia Franco, something that could only happen in the United States of America.