He was a good dad for their children but …

Irma Barrientes’ marriage was challenging, but they stayed together for the children.

“We came here from the Rio Grande Valley in 1966 with four kids. The youngest was 3 months old. My husband needed a better job. He was driving a truck, picking up people to go to work in the fields. He’s been gone a few years now. He got sick. Had a heart attack and then a stroke.

“He was a good dad for my kids and he provided material things. But beyond that … I’ve been through the ringer in my life. I had a hard life with their dad.”

What was the hardest part?
“The 22 years that I was married to him.”

Why did you stay together so long?
“Because of them. I wanted them to be old enough to know that I was going to get a divorce. I got the divorce, and I wanted them to know why.”

Looking back, would you have done anything different?
“Probably got divorced earlier.”

“I’m still not a happy, happy-go-lucky person. But, oh, well. Life goes on. I always tried to guide my kids. It’s only me for them now. I do the best that I can. That’s all I can do. And they’re older now: 56, 54, 53 and 50. We have a good relationship, my kids and me.”

— Irma Barrientes