SoCal Families: 60 Years Apart
A look at the Families of Avy Osalvo and Lucille Ball
The Osalvo (and Extended) Family [2015]
Members
The Osalvo Family:
- My mother Lita and my father Danilo
- My little sister Danielle
The Extended Family:
- My cousins Angeline B. and Alex B.
- My cousins Tiffany F., Kathleen F., and Mavelyn F.
- My grandmother: Angelita (Lola) F.
Lita & Danilo
My parents have taught me the importance of being patient. Of course, they've instilled the values of hard-work, education, and care for others, but I have learned that patience is the hardest to understand. I am so thankful that my parents were willing to move to America for better opportunities, and that they have shown me that many minor circumstances aren't worth dwelling on. Instead, they have shown me to do my best in the present and have shaped me into having a more relaxed mindset.
Danielle
I consider my little sister Danielle to be the person who challenges me the most. As we are growing up, I have learned that being a big sister means having to learn how to control my attitude. We argue a lot, but because of that experience I've learned that many arguments aren't worth fighting over. I have also learned from Danielle that being part of a family means that I have to maintain a positive attitude no despite whatever went on at school. She inspires me to always seek and spread joy.
Avy
If I had to describe my family in one word, it would be content. Even though there have been some struggles and disagreements, I enjoy spending time with each family member. After reading Lucille Ball's autobiography, I realized that even though she went to pursue her own passion in entertainment, she never forgot about her family as well as her friends back home. I admire her for being able to begin her career as an entertainer while keeping in touch with her loved ones. Despite our differing pathways, Lucille Ball inspires me to set high goals for myself and to not quit until I achieve them.
Stevie Wonder - I Just Called To Say I Love You by KUploadr2
Road Trip Songs
On the way from one relative to another, we always end up listening to the radio when we're on the road. The song above, "I Just Called To Say I Love You," and the song below, "We Are Young," are examples of songs that every family member gets along to. Within my family, we tend to switch radio stations from 93.1 Jack FM, 102.7 KIIS FM, and Power 106.
FUN. "We Are Young" by GrillMarketing
Extended Family: The Cousins
Although I love and respect my aunts and uncles, my cousins have made a greater contribution to my personal growth. All five of them: Tiffany, Angeline, Kathleen, Mavelyn, and Alex, have made me more outgoing throughout all the times we have been together. Along with Danielle, we used to call ourselves "The Seven Dwarfs." When we inevitably clash, it definitely feels like partitions have been rolled up, but at the end of the day those boundaries come down, and we remain inseparable.
Tiffany F.
Tiffany has shown me how to be confident. Although I don't consider myself as a completely self-assured person, through Tiffany I've learned that confidence is a skill acquired over time. Seeing her become mature and collected has made me realize that I should come to terms with mistakes that I have made. Tiffany has indirectly taught me to develop into a better version of myself because of her personal growth.
Angeline B.
Angeline has impacted my life by showing me that it's absolutely necessary to go after what you want, and to not cater to others' expectations. Through her avid participation as a staff reporter at her college as well as doing whatever she can to become a broadcast journalist, she definitely has shown me that what one achieves is ultimately determined by that person. She is definitely a role-model, and I hope that I can be as passionate and involved as she is when I continue my education.
Kathleen F.
One of Kathleen's traits that continue to serve as an impact for me is her care for others. Whenever all of us are together, and I mean aunts, uncles, family friends, and distant relatives, for the majority of the time if we need help we ask Kathleen. She has this uncanny ability for solving other people's problems, and when I'm with her I feel like she always puts everyone else's needs in front of her own. Nevertheless, she has shown me to have a balance of giving and receiving help.
Mavelyn F.
Mavelyn has impacted my life by showing me that I should be comfortable with who I am. Even though there aren't any serious non-academic related issues, there are times when I doubt myself. By setting an example as a leader at her high school and making the most out of the time she spends with her friends and family, Mavelyn has shown me that if you believe in your own worth, your loved ones will recognize it as well.
Alex B.
Alex has inspired me to be ambitious and believe in my abilities. Like Mavelyn, she is closer to my age so we are able to relate more to topics such as music or even our Confirmation class. Even though she doesn't see herself as a pusher, she continues to motivate me when I'm studying or volunteering, especially by setting bigger personal goals. I know that during those times when I worried, she will somehow manage to turn my concerns into sources of motivation.
The Seven of Us + Lola Angie
This image illustrates how, from a young age to the present day, the seven of us have all really grown up together. Undoubtedly, we have all impacted each other in one way or another, and we continue to do so. I enjoy spending time with my cousins because during that time I don't worry about homework or tests or future plans. Rather, my only concern is sticking together.
Extended Family: Lola Angie
Instead of calling my grandma by that title, we simply call her "Lola," which is the Tagalog word for grandmother. She may be stubborn, or rather, strong-willed, but all three families continue to take turns caring for her. Although she repeatedly questions everyone about whether or not they have eaten or where are they going out, we all know that her actions are just another way of saying, "I care about you."
The Arnaz (and Extended) Family [1955]
Members
The Ball-Arnaz Family:
- Lucille Ball
- Desi Arnaz
- Lucie Arnaz
- Desi Arnaz, Jr.
Extended Family:
- Grandfather Hunt, AKA "Daddy"
- Lucille's mother, DeDe
Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz
When Lucille and Desi separated and divorced towards the beginning of the 1960's they were a highly publicized couple, especially since both where major Hollywood symbols. Initially, many studio executives couldn't see the two as representatives of an average "American couple," because of race, but after touring their successful vaudeville acts across the nation, CBS gave the duo permission to launch their own television show. This show would later be known as the Emmy Award winning sitcom, "I Love Lucy." After the show became a hit, they eventually opened up their own studio, entitled Desilu Productions, Inc. Together, the couple embodies the American Dream because they faced economic and cultural barriers in their journey to wealth, fame, and recognition.
Lucie Arnaz
When Lucie was born in 1951, her birth heavily impacted the lives of the Hollywood couple. This change, however, is similar to the behavior of many young, American families. When Lucille realized that she and Desi were responsible for this new life, she was both scared and thrilled with the task of being a mother. Prior to the birth of Lucie, however, there was a point in her marriage where she had a miscarriage. As a result of this, Lucille ached to have a child of her own, which is why she did whatever she needed to do in order to take care of Lucie and Desi, Jr.
Desi Arnaz, Jr.
When Desi Arnaz, Jr. was born in 1953, his character, "Ricky Ricardo, Jr." was also born. Both Lucille and Desi Arnaz, Sr. were excited with the prospect of having both a son and a daughter. Even though Lucille and Desi struggled with always being there for the children, Lucille realized this was a parallel with her own childhood, and that she could only do her best.
Extended Family: Grandfather Hunt (Daddy) and DeDe
With the absence of a father figure (since DeDe divorced her second husband, Ed Peterson) Lucille's grandfather, referred to as "Daddy," took over the position. Lucille and her little brother Freddy were separated for a while, but after reuniting with Daddy and DeDe it became clear that the bonds between these family members became stronger than ever. Daddy inspired Lucille to take care of her family, and as he reached a debilitating mental and physical state, he taught Lucille that she should be generous.
Lucille's mother DeDe made a similar impact like Daddy by training Lucille to become a disciplined hard-worker. Ever since she was a little girl, DeDe gave Lucille many daily responsibilities to meet, which ultimately developed Lucille's enduring work ethic. Despite these tasks, Lucille maintained a sense of respect and devotion for her mother. Additionally, DeDe fully supported Lucille's interest of breaking into the entertainment industry, such as working extra jobs, in order to support her endeavors.
A Nation Watches "Lucy Goes To The Hospital"
EXPECTING
The I Love Lucy episode, "Lucy Goes To The Hospital," was one of the most viewed and anticipated episodes of all of television history. The birth of "Ricky Ricardo, Jr," was written to match the time with Lucille Ball's pregnancy, and if it weren't for head writer Jess Oppenheimer's suggestion, then Lucille and Desi would have cancelled the how. Thankfully, as long as I Love Lucy did not use the term "pregnant," but rather, "expecting," the airing of this episode would be allowed. In fact, hours after this recorded episode aired, Lucille gave birth to Desi Arnaz, Jr. which garnered the attention nationwide.
*Start from 8:10 to 12:20*
Conclusion
I consider Lucille's strong support system to be similar to my own situation, because both Lucille Ball and I have family members who continue to inspire and motivate us. Through the comparison of the relationships between family and extended family members, we have illustrated that even though decades change, family values will stay.