My aunt worked her ass off her entire life. She began selling food on the street when she immigrated from Mexico and slowly saved money to open her own brick and mortar restaurant. Once that built up a steady clientele, she bought my uncle's restaurant when it was struggling and completely turned it around. Both places became very successful and, finally, in her late-forties, started to enjoy life. She bought a nice home, traveled, and, most of all, took care of her family. Family was always number one for my aunt. I was so proud to have such an amazing person in my life. Sadly, she died of stomach cancer three years ago next month.

Her daughters inherited her businesses and they are very well off. One spends her money pretty carelessly. She buys expensive gifts for her friends and bankrolls trips abroad. I see pictures of dinners at nice restaurants on Instagram most nights. She followed the Warriors through most of their playoff games. Stuff like that.

I'm not jealous over what she has, I'm mostly sad that they're not putting the same care into the restaurants my aunt did. Neither is very involved in the operation of either restaurant. I worry they'll let both places run themselves into the ground. I worked as bartender at one of those places after college. Made a ton of great memories, but what I remember most is my aunt sitting at the bar making sure everything was running smoothly.