Support for Sonya, our loved tamale lady. Road to

Hello family, friends, and loved ones. I am putting this account together for my mother, Maria Sonya Martinez. She’s our rock to our family and the glue that keeps us bonded. A mother and wife at 17, she’s built a lifetime together from the ground up. She’s made a wholesome life raising 5 children and even more love with 18 grandchildren. If you know my mommy, she is definitely something special. She is a giver, a lover, a supporter, and an undercover comedian with a clumsy side. Even if she may not have much to give or offer, she will be the first to be there to help and send a prayer. If you’re down and out, she is the hope that comes in. You don’t have to know her to be blessed by her because everyone matters. Everyone deserves respect and love. She’s instilled that, and I hope everyone reading this has had an experience of kindness from her. It’s genuine, and we all deserve to feel that way. She’s touched a lot of hearts; she wants to know everyone in the room.

About 14 years ago, my parents opened a business that we all know and love. Sonya and Joe Martinez Jr. opened Abigail’s Tamales. We’ve spent our holidays, achievements, late-night snacks, and Sunday morning breakfasts with everyone over the years. It’s so much more than food. It’s FAMILY. Over the years, she’s met so many customers, bar owners, bartenders, bar backs, and everyone in between. I can 100% say you are not a position in her life but a person that matters to her heart. She takes the time to know your name, know your heart, know your struggles, to knowing your success, your achievements, and her cheering you on through the grit of the work and her applauding you at the end of your goal. No matter how little or how big, you had someone to support you and someone to be proud of you. And it’s genuine. It’s something rare but so needed in this life. When a person truly wants nothing but happiness and the best, that’s love. And now my mommy can use a little support and love in return. I know she’s not just my mommy. Family is so much deeper than blood; it’s love and bonds that make us. She’s your mommy, she’s your tía, she’s your sister, she’s your support, she’s your daily check-in, she’s your smile after a long day, she’s our sweet safe space of home.

Unfortunately, many know she’s had an accident on Wednesday, 3/5/2025. A great portion of her body has burn injuries ranging from 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-degree burns. She had a long, intense first day starting with a burn bath, removing skin, and bandaging her wounds. Continuous watering of her bandages and trying to keep her warm. Medications to make things tolerable as best we can. She went in to have surgery Thursday, 3/6/2025. She will have an uphill battle of recovery. She’s received multiple skin grafts and donor areas to recover. We pray the grafts continue to survive. She has intense physical therapy she’s doing daily. It is brutal, time-consuming, and hard to bear and watch. She is trying her hardest and pulling through the pain the best she can. Please continue thoughts and prayers. She’s overcome so much, and this is her next to get through.

We are in a trying time and are asking for any help possible to keep her going. Insurance can only cover so much in equipment and financial coverage. Finances raised will be used to cover needed equipment to bring mommy home, pay BAMC and fees that are coming, to accommodate and make handicapped accessible into her home and bathroom, to keep and manage her bills while she is going to need a leave from her business, to making sure our youngest continues to get by in UT Austin. She’ll get mad if I don’t say it… HOOK ‘EM!!!!

Her body and mind are maxed out on stress, and if I could take her pain, I would, but maybe we can at least help ease her mind. Please help by donating, spreading the word, and sharing our post. Most importantly, please send your kind words and prayers. She’s exhausted but really does want to hear from everyone; she misses everyone. The love and check-in really make her smile. It really motivates her and keeps her distracted. She can’t receive real flowers, only artificial right now. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. Again, thank you!

in addition this will be the only go fund me. Our local beloved bars have a donation set ups and fundraisers in the works. I will list those soon. I myself am trying to catch up. thank you for loving my mommy