My name is Gloria Mercedes Parra.
They call me Miche, Merceditas, Meche.
People who know me call me Mama Michisita because that’s what they used to call my grandmother.
She was a natural healer.
I remember how the people used to greet her, “Good afternoon, Mama Michisita,”
and my beautiful grandmother would
bring the people potatoes, cheese, bread, and eggs.

My parents named me Mercedes.
My cousin is also called Mercedes,
as is her daughter.
My friends from Mexico, Colombia,
and Puerto Rico call me Merceditas.
Some call me Mrs. Mercedes.
It sounds funny, but I like it.
Most of my friends call me Merceditas
because I am happy, sociable, and I
always help everyone however I can,
and in my life and my home I am happy,
thanks to GOD ♡
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Gloria M. Parra is a native of Ecuador who came to the U.S. in 1995. She loves to write about her personal stories and spend time with her family. She studies English at LaGuardia Community College’s Center for Immigrant Education and Training, where her teacher is Mercedez Casciato.