Our family has been blessed in marriage, baptism, and hard-working values throughout the generations. It was a privilege to know my maternal great grandparents Cipriano ‘Cip’ and Genevieve ‘Jenny’ Felix, who was also a breast cancer survivor. My great grandfather was a hard working, humble man, who swept the stairs of the church mornings, before work, and collected cans to keep sweet bread on the table. I loved spending time with my grandma Jenny. I called her “Pink grandma” and she called me “Selena”, after the 90’s Spanish-American singer.

The American dream has always been a reality in our family. My paternal grandparents Robert Lee ‘Bob’ and Joy Edwards resided in Delano, CA as did my maternal grandparents and great grandparents. It takes a village to raise a child and I came from a great one! My grandpa Bob worked in the fields in the earlier days before he retired after 35 years from Delano Rock and was a part of the Teamsters Union. My grandma Joy worked for First Interstate bank starting out as a teller, after raising five children, and worked her way up to a loan officer, before retiring back to Alpaugh, CA with my grandfather Bob, where they spent their golden years on the Edwards family ranch. She encouraged me to pursue a higher education.

The following link https://youtu.be/kjhgasHLBV4?si=WLJu5S0ir2-7e-xU  to “Voices Of The Greats” is an interview by my maternal great Aunt Dr. Martha Lopez with her father Francisco C Lopez, who traveled the country working with the railroads in the early 1900’s, and tells his story.

For many years the Delano Harvest Holiday’s was a time of celebration in our family. We met early at the same spot each year to watch the parade, then my grandpa Bob would buy us all lunch at American legion, and it was on to the carnival from there! My mother and I went door to door selling tickets to win the crown of the Wine and Harvest festival. I got to ride in a float during the parade the year of ‘86’ after my paternal cousin Jacob was crowned the year before.

A Queen Regnant

 The year I was born, 1981, Ronald Regan was sworn in his first term as President. Times were good and I embodied the spirit of the USA. Edwards’ are male dominant. I am the only naturally born female into the Edwards family of my generation. My paternal grandparents of the silent generation were very prominent in my life. Growing up on the family ranch from 4th grade through 9th grade with my grandparents, I am the millennial taught to be silent. I learned to appreciate the value of a dollar, good mannerisms, to work hard for everything I have, and not take anything for granted. I was born into wedlock. My parents were married May 9, 1980, until death did them part. I am made of multiple ethnicities: English, Irish, Welsh, German, French, Spanish, Aztec, Cherokee, but only one nationality. I am an American of many generations. Only my mother called me by my middle name, Renea, and it meant I was in trouble. She always had plenty of rubber chanclas (slippers) and I am no stranger to the belt; the rod was never spared on me. My dad was named after his dad, the only one of five siblings who has his father’s nose, and only I look like my dad. I worked summers on the farm, just to earn enough money for a soda pop. I loved listening to the stories my elders told. I called my grandmothers by colors instead of by name, at age 4, Green (Joy), Blue (Beatrice), and Pink (Jenny, breast cancer survivor). When I turned 18, I was baptized non-denominational Christian. I have a deep love and appreciation for the time I grew up in, those who helped make me who I am and above all for God.

Ephesians 6:11

Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil.