In the small town of Springer in northern New Mexico a child was born to Julian and Esther Portillos on February 8, 1922 named Floraida Rafaelita Portillos. She joined one brother Moises and later 2 siblings Lucy and Bertha. Rafaela, Rafaelita and Leta were some of her nick names she used.
At the age of three years old Leta was diagnosed with Polio in her right leg. She was taken to the Children’s Hospital in Las Vegas. New Mexico. She was separated from her parents and siblings for lengthy durations while she had surgeries and recuperated. Multiple surgeries were done to correct the leg and foot so spending time at the hospital was necessary for recovery. With the therapy she learned to walk with the aid of crutches and corrective shoes eventually not needing either. She recalled that her mother would visit her at the hospital bringing wonderful gifts and beautiful dresses. Mom would share the gifts that her family would bring her. On one visit she tells of an evening when a group of young girls would go down to the kitchen and sneak some peanut butter and bread for a late snack. When the nuns passed by for bed check the girls would giggle but never got caught. She thinks the nuns knew what they did, because the nuns would make comments like "I hope the mice didn't get fed last night."
While chatting with mom I could see that the emotional sentiment of memories was bringing to her. She was a child of three years old, being taken from her parents to correct a leg that was deformed. She said she was very sad being away from her family and not being able to play with the other children but yet happy that she made new friends at the hospital.
After a few years of therapy and recuperation she remembers her grandmother Rafaelita Almendarez, (her name sake) would try and do things with her. Her grandmother Rafaelita knew she was unable to play outside with the other children, so she kept her occupied with the cutting of tumbling block squares from old worn dresses and shirts for a quilt blanket. At the age of 8 or 10 years old she learned how to sew. Mom would hid her feelings from her grandmother but her grandmother always could see those big teardrops fall on the blanket piece.
In 2008 Mom showed me this piece of sewn blocks material for her blanket she never finished she had not shown anyone this blanket that was stored in a little black suitcase. She said she was too ashamed of it to show anyone. I was filled with so much emotions as she was telling me the story and while we were handling the piece. It was a beautiful piece made by a child with each teardrop of love. As I handled the piece I could see each stitched telling its story of a child that endured pain and sadness and how a grandmothers love would give a little girl hope. I told her I was so proud of it and wanted the other sisters to see it. We folded it up and tucked back into the little black suitcase.
In 2009 mom was a resident of the Fowler Health Care Center in Fowler, CO. Mom had been falling down more than a few times and had difficulty getting up. Within time we new that the post polio syndrome was catching up to her. She was unable to straighten her foot out and needed more assistance than her walker to walk. Dad would visit her everyday and Virgie and I would try to visit with her every other day. We kept to our usual visits as we did when she was home. She soon became content living at the center, as they attended to her every need and she like that. They had such wonderful aids and nurses. One aid, Iris would fix her hair every day when she could. Mom like the attention.
In the late summer of 2009, mom was nominated for the Arkansas Valley Senior Queen Contest. She was thrilled at the opportunity to be able to sing and display her beauty. (Which she was a beautiful lady) While looking for items to show in her collection of homemade goods, we came across many embroidered items and croqueted dollies, but one item we could not find was the tumbling block blanket piece. Mom didn't get the Senior queen reign but enjoyed the time she was nominated, she was given a lot of attention and mom liked that.
Shortly after mom passed away and was taken to be with the lord we found the misplaced pieced blanket. It holds a special place in our hearts knowing that we have something of our mother’s that she grew up with for 78 years holding it for the pain and sadness she endured as a child. She was the matriarch of our family who we looked up to. For you moma Love.
Written by daughter Martha Kesterson
