The entire family worked on the farm. My grandmother had 18 children, but only 12 lived. Everyone was eager to work on the farm and there was little time to do anything else beyond school and ranch work. The older girls worked part time cleaning houses. All the money that could be saved was saved to help purchase the ranch from the Japanese family that owned the land previously.

Later, sadly, my uncle Cressy would take the ranch away from his family, because my grandparents spoke little English and after they passed he took ownership denying any of my aunts and uncles the right to any profits. This hurt my father immensely. Not only psychologically but I believe his angst led to many physical ailments.

 My father suffered, and the family was broken over the ranch and money. My father missed his family.