To the future members of the Arroyo family,
Hi all, I write this to you today to reflect on an interview I conducted with my grandma, Sondra Arroyo, or as she is known in the family Yaya. The interview was focused around some archival material from her life that was a reflection of the person she is today. As a whole these items have major implications for our family as well, a great representation of who we are with items that will last with us as we evolve. For me interviewing Yaya came easy. She had played a great role in taking care of me throughout my childhood, so naturally she and I have a great relationship with one another where we can talk to each other normally. In this instance recording an interviewed conversation we did so only in a formal manner, yet it was simple talking to her and I feel that this should be the case for all members of the family present and future. It is important to cherish your blood as they are the ones who will stand by you no matter what
The first archival material that was provided for discussion was a gold karated bracelet with diamonds at the center. This piece was important to Yaya, who is an avid jewelry lover with tons of pieces, as it was her most valuable piece both economically and sentimentally as well. Despite the large value it was somewhat bought spontaneously as she had just picked it out for and in an instant my grandfather, Honey, went to buy it for her. This is very telling of their relationship with one another, being together for almost five decades, they’re willing to do anything for one another out of love. This truly is the model relationship for everyone in the family to have with their significant others and they are the heads of our family who have kept us together. Yaya doesn’t always wear this piece due to its luxury, finding it difficult to wear on normal occasions it is only worn at significant times. It will also serve as an heirloom to her daughter, my titi, which is so important for her to give to her only daughter.
The second archival material was that of a gold brassed sun house ornament. This may not seem like much however it has been an integral piece for all of the Arroyo family homes. Serving in three different apartments in Queens and two in the Bronx where it resides today. This piece is very representative of her relationship with both her children and her grandchildren. As all of her grandchildren, myself included, were mesmerized by the sun swinging at it to radiate a gong-like sound that could be heard throughout the entire house. Yaya adores all four of her grandchildren and treats them like her own. She has taken a great part in taking care of them and currently does so for the two youngest grandchildren Prince and Justice, both Titi’s sons. This piece will also be an heirloom however there’s controversy in the family about who it will be passed down to. Considering that everyone has lived in the house to it they all want it for their homes at some point as well. It’s very representative of the family Yaya and Honey created together and it will remain a part of our homes forever.
I feel as if, and most importantly hope, that this interviewer was very representative of who Yaya was as a caring wife, mother and grandmother. To all of us family is the most important thing we have in the world. I wanted to make sure I encaptured this essence from Yaya as she has been at the forefront of this for nearly all of her life. I was also able to learn some new info of how life was for my family before I had been born, an important thing to know. At a time Yaya had worked with Honey at his catering hall but would soon leave to help as caretaker for her three sons and daughter throughout their various homes. This was touching for me getting to learn more about this as I dived into the earlier years of her life. As you grow up you’re only truly aware of what has been present with you since birth. There are so many other important figures in the family who either I haven’t had the chance of meeting or don’t remember from early childhood. Family truly is forever, those before us leave the foundation for who we become so it is important to remember them and live through them in our own lives. I will continue to do so and emphasize the importance of those with my blood who will come after me doing the same. Yours truly, Elijah Arroyo