Response to "My Great Aunt Arizona"

07/09/07

Altagracia and Rafael were expecting their first baby; they were both very excited. Rafael wanted a baby girl more than anything in the world. A couple of months later they found out that they’d have a baby girl, the search for names began. One afternoon as Altagracia sat down watching a soap opera a baby girl was born and was named Sugey, she just loved the name! She got up and ran up to Rafael and announced that she had found the perfect name: “Sugey”. He didn’t look convinced but after pondering for a while he told her, -“Let’s name her Sugey like you want but I want her to have my name as her middle name.” She said with a smile on her face, -“Sugey Rafaela Rosario Paulino.” Altagracia thought to herself, one day my daughter will achieve great things.

The baby was born and the years passed. Sugey started talking at a very young age. She always asked questions and whenever she went out with her dad she’ll ask him to read the billboards and signs posted on buildings and streets and then she’ll repeat and memorize the words and will act as if she was reading to him. There was something Sugey loved: books. Even if she didn’t understand the words she’ll make them up. You would often find her pretend reading, to herself, to her dolls and to anyone who would listen. One Christmas she asked her dad if she could get a green board, an eraser and chalk, she told her dad that she decided she’ll be a teacher. By the time she was 6 years-old she had learn to read on her own. She did 1st. grade over the course of the summer and entered 2nd grade at 6, making her the youngest child in her class.