Survival within Two Cultures
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Drastically changes occur in the Luis Lopez family after the death of his wife, Ildefonsa. His sixteen year old daughter, Joan, becomes caretaker of her three sisters ages 2, 4, and 6. Through the night, Joan elopes and Trini becomes the caretaker until Luis partakes of an prearranged marriage to a woman, Felisa, from Mexico. Discord between Trini and Felisa prevails and Luis solves the problem by providing separate housing for the family. Shortly thereafter Trini elopes in broad daylight and Luis reunites his remaining family. Erminia suffers personal damage at the hands of Joan's husband that had a damaging effect on her personal development. When she married, her husband, Rudy, and she faced discrimination in the housing realm-renting or buying. Her thirst for a college education was sated when she enrolled at Purdue University's Calumet Campus. She was awarded a B.S., 1970 and an M.S. in 1972. In 1978, their 27 years of marriage came to an end. Rudy died in 1996 and our son, Damian died three years later. In general, Erminia's employment revolved in the areas of the helping professions and education. Being put on probation on her last employment, four years prior to her retirement was a devastating experience. In 2008 she lost her "retirement nest egg" by investing in a friend's "dream" and 6 months later, lost a large amount of cash to two unscrupulous individuals who asked for her help! Therapy, hypnotherapy, exercise, meditation and prayer helped her to deal with these trials.
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About the Book
When Erminia “Minnie” Lopez Rincon was born, she was not breathing, but the attendant working on her tiny body did not give up until Rincon was breathing on her own. So began the life of a Mexican American woman who would not only endure many unforeseen challenges and emotional struggles, but would also eventually rise above it all to find her passion and true calling in life.
In her compelling memoir, Rincon eloquently details her struggles to rise above her humble beginnings living in a railroad camp outside of Chicago, Illinois, with her family of nine. She shares how she coped with life’s unforeseen changes by burying her feelings, reading, and doing well in school. Rincon chronicles a difficult childhood only made more challenging by discrimination, the death of her mother, and betrayal by those she trusted. Despite all her obstacles, Rincon matures into adulthood and manages to lead a fairly normal life—until her past finally catches up to her. It is only through therapy that Rincon finally begins to reconcile with her past and realize a long-held, burning desire.
Survival within Two Cultures is the story of one woman’s determination to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges in order to make her dreams come true.
About the Author
Erminia “Minnie” Lopez Rincon completed a cosmetology course, worked for an insurance company, got married, and had five children. In 1964, at age thirty-six, she enrolled at Purdue University where she earned bachelor of science and master of science degrees. Now a retired school psychologist, she lives in Highland, Indiana, where she enjoys spending time with her twenty-four grandchildren and great-grandchildren.