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This Love of Mine by Frank Sinatra signified Lilia's life with her husband William. She describes this love as "young love" and describes this song as nostalgic. She said this song allows her to live back all the memories and cherish the amazing moments she had with her husband.

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Lilia was present for the imperative times of the Civil Right Movement. Looking back now she says the only thing that comes into close proximity to this time that gave her deja vu into her past was the Black Lives Matter movement/protest.

Lilia being a minority, was very passionate about these movements and was grateful to be brought up in such a diverse city like Los, Angeles. She has mentioned how she has been racially profiled before and many experiences of others being discriminatory and prejudice towards her because of the way she looked and talked. She says things are better now in society, but these injustices have translated over into our current days. The discrimination still lives on today but is presented in new manners that are geared towards current society.

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9/11 is a specific occurrence of an event that Lily remembers. Lilia remembers what she was doing, where she was, and how the rest of her day went following this tragedy. Lilia said that this moment in time made her realize how advanced the world was becoming technologically to the point where it was fearful for events such as 9/11.

She said she was home with her youngest daughter before taking her grandchildren to school when the news was on just like to was every morning, and they watched the second plane fly into the second tower live.

She said she could not believe this is the world that we were living in, and could not believe someone could be capable of something like this. From an age perspective, she says after that event the world has changed forever. She said security everywhere is at an all time high, and the fear that has been instilled in society is insane.

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After living in the same house for over 25 years, Lilia moved in with in her youngest daughter in 2004. This was a big step for her as this was the house she raised her children in, and lived in most of her life with her husband who passed away.

This move really signified her age because there was no need to live on her own. She expressed her extrovertedness and love to always keep herself busy. Additionally, she also felt that she was being taken care of in a sense and having an eye kept on her due to her age. This made her feel very appreciated yet astonished for the fact that she was now in the realm where her family was watching it for her health and well-being just in case she was in capable.

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Lilia describes her family life as not the typical family one would expect. Lilia grew up with 2 older siblings, one sister and one brother. She admires and cherishes all the moments they had together when they were young, but they never remained close.

She said they still keep in touch and live in close proximity to each other but are not as close as one would expect siblings to be. Surprisingly Lilia describes this experience as not very difficult. Family is family in her eyes but also explains how there is no harm and no foul. She states how since they all grew up very fast including herself, they all begun life independently in order for a healthy living.

She said due to this relationship with her siblings, she has encouraged a lot of inclusivity with her daughters and grandchildren so they will have a bond that cannot be broken unlike her and her siblings.

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Lilia was diagnosed with severe arthritis in September of 2018. Just like it was a milestone and highlight of her age when she was a new grandmother, this sign of deterioration of the body was one of those moments as well. The doctor said this arthritis was completely due to old age. Although she monitored it and followed all the precautions in taking best care, it still was not enough. Lilia had to undergo surgery in December of 2020 because the pain had gotten so bad. Mentally this was a struggle for Lilia because it prevented her from enjoying her everyday life, and completing her regular duties. She could no longer be on her feet for a long time, but sitting down on the couch was also excruciatingly boring.

She said this period of her life really represented how she was coming to the last batch of her life while she goes through these physical pain and incapability.

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In 1982, Lilia became a grandmother to her first of eight grandchildren. This moment was a big milestone in her life as her role completely changed from a mother, to officially a grandmother. From her perspective, she said this milestone really highlighted her age to herself, and exemplified how fast time moves. Her duties had completely changed, and title as well.
"It was weird being called grandma for the first time." She stated that it took some time to get used to this new title of hers.

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As Lilia transitioned to having a single job, she got so good at it and worked her way up so far to the point that she only obtained one job after graduating high school. Lilia worked at Pacific Bell, which today is now known as AT&T.

She references AT&T as a place that took a chance on a young girl, and provided her with a job and chance to earn money to maintain a healthy living for herself and her family. It was not only a job to her but it was something she loved doing so much that she did not desire to work any place else in her entire lifetime.

She now receives benefits and such from AT&T due to the amount of time and effort she has put into the company over the course of her entire lifetime. She thanks them for providing her with a great career, and for always sticking with her.

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Although Lilia was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, she heavily identifies with her Mexican roots. She has continued the culture and traditions of her heritage by learning how to make her favorite Mexican food, speaking in spanish to her family so they can learn the language of her people, and doing fun things like providing a pinata with candy for everyone's birthday party.

She also credits Los Angeles for the fact that it was the perfect place for her to express her Latin roots, and for this place to be so embracing of these roots.

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In February of 2002, Lilia's husband William Perez passed away of prostate cancer. She said as young lovers, this time was the hardest time she has ever went through.

She stated that this time was most difficult for her because she had to watch the person she loved most go, while having to see the pain her daughters and extended family went through as well. She said this was a very stressful time as she felt that she had to carry the weight for two people now and she was not sure if she was able to uphold that standard and provide the best for her family.

Now looking back, Lilia states that if she had not struggled during that time, she would be unprepared now. She has never been more proud to be the mother of her two daughters, and values all the memories of her husband while keeping his legacy alive everyday.

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Lilia and William had their first child, a baby girl, two years after their marriage. Just three years after having their first child, their second baby daughter was born.

Lilia said getting married and having children at such a young age taught her to grow up very fast. She said this period of time from the time she was married to having kids was the biggest learning experience for her.

"It wasn't easy managing two jobs, and two children" she said. During this time Lilia had also not received a full education. She never went on to complete college and went straight into being a full time mom, while trying to provide for her family.

Although she does acknowledge these times that were not easy to manage, she values it extremely because it has shaped her into the person she is today. She said this experience of growing up too fast has provided her with a great deal of mental toughness, and provided her with a lot of experience as she entered the real world.

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In 1958 Lilia married William Perez. Lilia was introduced to her husband through her older sister, and had no clue at the time this is whom she would be spending the rest of her life with. Lilia describes their relationship as very loving, and personal. She said they were so madly in love that they got married at the early age of 20 years old, and had their first child two years later.
One memory she often dawns open is their wedding day. She dawns upon this memory a lot because of how times have currently changed.
Lilia said because of how they were young and madly in love, they decided to get married on their own terms. At the age of 20 years old they both decided to book it to Las Vegas to tie the knot without telling a single soul. They drove to Las Vegas super spontaneously and got married.
Lilia also loves telling this story because it was truly the epitome of their love for one another, and how it almost seems like a story straight out of a movie.

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Lilia stated that Los Angeles holds a very special place in her heart being that it is the place where she was born and raised. She said she could not imagine living anywhere else. Los Angeles is a special place to her because she believes it hold so much inclusivity and culture. Looking back now, she has seen the city grow and emerge into a place she never thought it would be. She reminisces on the growth of the city, and shares stories about how so much has changed for the better and for the worst. This city was the perfect place for her growing up as a young girl, a great place to raise a family, and a great environment to spend the rest of her life.

Lilia says that she could not see herself living anywhere else, and is planning to spend the rest of her life in Los Angeles.