Mary J. Bernal

Mary Jaurequi Bernal Strong, beautiful, caring, inspirational, and motherly are all words that come to mind when I think of my grandmother Mary Jaurequi Bernal. My mother passed away at age three and ever since then, my dad was always working to support my brother and I. When I was little I would go to my grandma’s everyday with my brother so my grandmother can watch us. Now that I’m older I realize how intelligent and how much she has done for me, and a well-rounded woman she made me become. My grandma Mary has made a huge impact in my life and I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it weren’t for her. She is what you call “The Rock” of our family. She keeps us up, in our times of hardships. When I was younger, I didn’t really like going to my grandma’s house. I thought as a child it was unfair that I had to go there everyday while most kids got to sleep in and stay home and play with their friends. Now I realize how well I was being treated. I never really understood what my grandma had to offer. She would always tell me about her wonderful stories of her growing up, stories about relatives who I’ve never met and stories about life. She just makes me want to keep going and be successful. It just gives me some sort of motivation and a sense of greater knowledge. Knowing that even though there are some tough times, we can become successful. Just the way she was. It helps me understand to never give up. Whether it’s school or out side of school or day to day life all together. She taught me to look to the future and not the bad times that are going on right now. But to look at the good times to come. So it is sort of a way that I live my life. And that’s the way I wish others would live there’s as well. My grandma Mary is my dad’s mother. She grew up poor and struggled a lot. Everything she had, she earned. She took care of her belongings and worked hard for her kids and family. My grandma was a very kind generous woman who will always help someone when she knows they deserved it. She always told me to follow my dreams. I can hear her telling me “There is nothing you can’t do Danielle”. Till this day, this runs in my head every time I say “I can’t”. My grandmother has taught me so much throughout my life and this is one way in saying thank you to her, by showing her how much she really means to me and how much of an influence she has had on my life. This essay is to let people know that I would not be the strong, caring, independent person I am today if it weren’t for my grandmother Mary Jaurequi Bernal. By Danielle Bernal In lieu of flowers, that Family has asked that you donate to promote research for Lewy Body Dementia to UCI MIND. Please make checks payable to: UCI MIND to support Lewy Body Dementia research. Please include your name, address, city, state and zip as well as your phone number with your check. Mail your contribution to: UCI MIND 2646 Biological Sciences III Irvine CA 92697-4545 Or, if you wish, you can go to www.mind.uci.edu and click on "Donate" and go to Online Donations and scroll down to "Click Here". You will land on the secure site to allow you to donate in MARY JAUREQUI BERNAL's memory there (in comments).