Mother overcomes car accident injuries to care for family's needs every day.
By Lucy T. Nava
Chicago is a city of many cultures. Here is a case where Samoan culture meets Guatemalan and they become great friends ... Meet Carmen Diaz Hernandez from Guatemala..Central America a.k.a Mama Carmen to the locals in Chicago...she has 4 children 3 married with families of their own and the last one a young boy named Diego still attending high school.
A few years ago Mama Carmen was in an accident that left her seriously disabled and hurt her legs so bad that she is confined to a wheel chair while she is working with doctors and therapist to get her walking again. But this doesn't stop her from keeping herself as busy as many fully walking mother/grand mothers.
She has 6 grand children 3 of whom live with her along with their parents who help out around the house as well...but for the most part Mama Carmen cooks cleans and makes sure everyone in the house are well fed and taken care of. Her enthusiastic and optimism is infectious which is something that is noticed by anyone who comes into contact with this courageous woman. She doesnt feel sorry for herself but stays busy as she prepares to get therapy for her condition.
Mama Carmens daily routine is cooking 2 times a day and making sure there is plenty to eat. Everyone loves Mama Carmens food. Its like locals who know anything about this part of Chicago will swear by Mama Carmen's food as some of the best Latino and local food available.
People are amazed at how she does it all in a wheelchair and still gets things done. A great woman indeed who deserves the very best and her children appreciate all she does for them and their children. They all treat her very well and make sure she is catered to on her special days . I take my hat off to give her the respect for all great that she does for so many people in her life. She says all that she does is for her kids and grand kids who are her life and she loves them very much.
Mama Carmen is a great example of how to overcome trials and life's difficulties. Many of us do not really appreciate the health and mobility we have every day. Its amazing people like Mama Carmen who remind us of how blessed we are. That she never varies from her daily routine even under so difficult of circumstances is so amazing and is emphasized more when her family gets together on the weekends she is the one mainly cooking on the grill and preparing side dishes while all her kids have fun and enjoy their time at her house in Glenview. It makes the food taste even better knowing the effort it took to prepare such a meal. Its all love and even though she is in Chicago from Guatemala, the Samoan heart beats in her and we celebrate her as an example of what pure alofa is all about.
Samoan Reggae Star, J Boog performs in Chicago
J Boog signs Lucy Nava's Picture after the show
By Lucy Nava. Photos by Elizabeth D. Leggin
J Boog performed at Reggies in Chicago last weekend Saturday, March 28. This was a well attended event and Poly Reggae star J Boog rocked the stage to the delight of the audience many of whom were new to this style of music. And according to those who were there they loved the show. J Boog is definitely growing his audience throughout the world and across this great nation of America.
The show was absolutely exciting from the word go. It began at 8pm with reggae bands Innavision and Westafa who opened for J Boog. The club which holds up to 400 people, was standing room only.
Most of the crowd were all reppin J Boog gear/merchandise which were sold in house and receiving alot of love from the Chi-town crowd. J Boog has been performing in Chicago almost twice a year and has steadily built a fan base, even with the cold weather outside it didnt stop people from coming from far and near to be a part of this show. There were a number of Polys in the crowd including the Cincinnati Bengals Linebacker Rey Maualuga who was there with another NFL player from Green Bay Packers. Even fierce NFL rivals can come together and enjoy a little island reggae. J Boog on stage at Reggies in Chicago, March 28, 2015
When J Boog got onstage it was 11pm and the crowd began screaming as soon as he was announced. The majority were definitely there for J Boog. As soon as got onstage he went to the front of the stage and was shaking hands while he sang his first song. You could tell that the fans appreciated the love. After he completed his set there was a long line forming of fans who wanted to meet their favorite artists and were anxious to get his autograph. The Security were concerned because of how crowded the line was. Everyone wanted to get a picture with J Boog. Now because he had just got off the stage he was still sweating and Im sure tired, but he maintained the cheerful smile and accommodated every fan who stood in that long line to meet him. Samoans in Chicago Editor, Lucy NavaThis reporter bought a $25 J Boog cap and a picture of him in dredlocks. J Boog was very cool and signed both the picture and the hat "To Aunty Lucy," and his signature. That brought a smile to my face. We spoke about family after he signed my articles and came to find out he and I are related. His 1st cousin's daughter is my brother's daughter. What a small world.
I had taken family members from Indiana to the show and also my photographer who has never been to a J Boog concert. Well needless to say she is now a fan for lyfe. J Boog actually thanked me for this new fan and she bought his picture which he signed with a smile. One of the most obvious traits that you recognize when you actually meet J Boog is that he is so humble for such a talented and popular star. What was crazy was there were fans all the way from the West Coast there as well as fans from Florida. So you might say J Boog has fans from Coast to Coast. The $20 entry fee was well worth it and J Boog's show was a great memory for us and those who were there at Reggies on a cold snowy Chicago Night. It was like a blast of warm Hot Chocolate straight from the islands. Needless to say we all left satisfied.