"Were you born stupid?" is a phrase I often heard my father ask me as the eldest of his seven children. This is a memoir of what now seems an enchanted childhood, written through a boy's eyes, set in the 1950's through 70's, while growing up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. It relates the trials and triumphs of a large Hispanic family, a life abundantly joyful, at times brutal. Father was often away at work and missed out on much of the interaction between my mother, brother and sisters. Mother, who never wanted any children in the first place, was stuck at home with this large brood. Sometimes she locked us out of the house the entire day (and commanded us "go play") for some peace and quiet, while she cleaned our home and polished the floors. Though we grew up poor, we came to appreciate the things we did have-a close family being the most important. It didn't require alot of money. I hope to convey how rich, full, and blessed life has been for the familia Franco, something that could only happen in America