Every morning I take a walk, and lately my thoughts have often drifted to my sister, Lucy.

Lucy was twelve years older than I was, but she wasn’t just my sister—she was my best friend and my confidant. We lost her to ovarian cancer when she was only 49 years old, and I don’t think our family has ever fully recovered.

She was the heartbeat of every gathering.

Lucy had a way of making everyone feel welcomed, appreciated, and deeply seen. Her home was always filled with laughter, beautiful meals, and the unmistakable feeling that you belonged there. She had impeccable style, an incredible eye for detail, and somehow made everything look effortless. We lovingly called her our “Mexican Martha Stewart,” but what made her truly extraordinary wasn’t her decorating or cooking. It was the way she loved people.

Years after losing her, I began wondering how we could honor that legacy.

I shared an idea with my family: What if we created a scholarship in Lucy’s memory? We called it the “We Love Lucy” Scholarship, believing there would be no better way to celebrate her life than by helping someone pursue their dreams.

Last year, that dream became a reality.

My niece—Lucy’s daughter—joined my son, daughter-in-law, and two grandsons as we attended the scholarship luncheon at Mount Saint Mary’s College in Newburgh, NY. Meeting our first scholarship recipient was an unforgettable moment.

As we said our goodbyes, she hugged me and quietly whispered something I’ll never forget.

“We don’t typically see people of color who are donors at these events. We’re usually only on the receiving end.”

I carried those words with me for days.

They challenged me.

They inspired me.

They reminded me that generosity has the power not only to change lives but also to change what people believe is possible.

Soon afterward, I called Mount Saint Mary’s and shared a new goal: I wanted our family to fund five scholarships in 2026.

That conversation also led to another important decision.

At Hudson Naturals, we chose to become a social enterprise.

Today, every product we create has a greater purpose. We craft exceptional, all-natural skincare because we believe that beautiful products can also create beautiful opportunities. Every purchase helps fund scholarships for students facing financial barriers, allowing them to complete their education and pursue their dreams.

One of the products closest to my heart is our Lucia Soap, created in honor of my sister.

Every bar tells a story.

A story of love.

A story of generosity.

A story of a woman who taught me that making people feel seen may be one of the greatest gifts we can ever give.

Lucy may no longer be with us, but her kindness continues to live on in every student whose future is changed because someone chose to care.

If you’d like to become part of that story, I invite you to visit Hudson Naturals and learn more about the Lucia collection.

Together, we can honor a beautiful life by helping someone else build theirs.