Reviews

"If your mother did nothing else but what she advises-even fifty percent of the time with all of you--she is a great role model! Her words, starting with 'Laugh often...' are my favorites and a great challenge.
    "I think you really have done an extraordinary job of compiling stories of your mom's parents and grandparents. You also remind the reader of the very difficult historical times they lived in that make some of their actions and hard choices understandable...like your mom's father not being able to keep his family together after his beloved wife died.
    "You show such reverence and appreciation for your parents in compiling these stories, Bobbie, and you're making quite a contribution to your family in keeping these memories alive in written form. Sixteen years seems a short time to have done it all.
    "It will be a treasure. You did an incredible amount of work to recapture both the stories surrounding your mother's life and her strong energy and spirit-which she passed on to her children. With good NDSJ memories." -Monica May

"What a great tribute to your mom. I can see why you wanted to get it down on paper and I'm astonished at the details you remember. I lift my glass to you. It will be a priceless heirloom for this generation and for future ones. I think some biographers try to embroider details. In your case, you didn't have to. Your accomplishments speak for themselves. Your mother's highest priority was her family.
    "There was enough of Rose's philosophy to fill another book. An example that struck me was her thought about birthdays. 'Your birthday is just another year in your life. It's what you make of your life that's important.' I kept wondering where she got her inner strength and resources, inasmuch as she was abandoned, so to speak, when she was four in a traumatic experience. As an old librarian, I would like to think that she learned much about life because she was a bookworm and loved to hang out in the library.
    "I enjoyed the foreign language inserts as well as the English dialects; they made the characters (I use the word respectfully) really come alive.
    "There were places that brought me to tears, one of which was Ma's grave site with Rose. There is a continuous showing going on in my head about all the various experiences. I liked seeing the floor plan of the house, and of course all the photos; especially those of you!
    "Seems to me that the California Historical Society would be interested in your book as well as the genealogical societies in the area, and the church and public libraries. Do you suppose the University Press would publish it?" -Bobbee Hepworth

"I connected to your story on a few different levels. First, being first generation Sicilian whose father was born in the Old Country and settled in San Jose in 1919. My father was one of ten children and they lived on Bird Avenue then Ninth Street. I noticed many parallels being from an immigrant family. Therefore, I was drawn to the historical aspect of your writing. I had always heard about the influenza epidemic.
    "The other was the emotional/psychological aspect of how her early childhood traumas and devastating losses impacted her motivation and drive and shaped her self concept. Since no one was available to attend to Rose's emotional needs after her mother died, she might have eventually learned that it was less painful to defer her needs by repressing them as best she could and focusing on taking care of others. Also, many children who are seriously neglected or abused become very resourceful and learn creative ways to survive like your mom did in school and that coping strategy became necessary for survival through out her life. Bottom line, the book kept my interest." -Cynthia D'Anna

"Dedication and devotion are keys, both to the story told and the production of this book. Growing up without the warmth of family love, Rose Nunez Olivo marries and showers her sixteen children with devotion. She dedicates herself to providing each of them with the love, guidance, and caring she never had. Recognizing the transformation in her mother’s life, daughter Barbara (child number thirteen) tells Rose’s amazing story to the world.
    "What emerges as a result of Barbara’s dedication is a massively complete work. It begins with the arrival of Rose’s immigrant father, Joseph Nunez in the historic mining town of Campo Seco where he meets, falls in love with, and marries Adelaide “Lydia” Madriago. When she tragically dies of tuberculosis at twenty-one, the couple already has three children. Jacqueline Rose is the second born. She has an older brother, Rodger, and a younger sister, Marie.
    "As a single parent, Joseph “Pa Pa” struggles to keep his young family united while providing for them. Disagreements with one of his late wife’s family, and a desperate need to see his children cared for, force him to contact Children’s Aid and place them in foster care. Rose and Rodger go to live with Teresa Espinosa, an older lady with a perhaps shady past, whom they know as “Ma.” The children are properly, if not generously provided for, and contribute to the household income from an early age, delivering Ma’s homemade enchiladas and tamales around their San Jose neighborhood.
    "After graduating from high school, Rose marries Nello John Olivo, Sr. She blossoms, enveloping their ever-increasing brood with all the love and care she had been denied in her childhood.
    "The laminated hard cover volume is well illustrated with family photos, genealogical charts, and excerpts of Rose’s philosophies. '16 X MOM: A Mastery of Motherhood' is an inspirational celebration of maternal love and well worth reading. As a gift, it is the ideal way for all to say, 'Thanks, Mom!'" -D. Andrew McChesney