Content Warning: This section of the guide discusses physical abuse, child abuse, anti-LGBTQ+ bias, drug use, and racism.

Rex Ogle’s relationship with his Abuela in Abuela, Don’t Forget Me is an example of the transformative power of unconditional love. Abuela’s unwavering love and support for her grandson radically changes the trajectory of Ogle’s life. Her love shapes the way Ogle views himself and enables him to achieve his goals.

Abuela’s is the only unconditional love that Ogle has ever known. In his relationship with his mother, Ogle is frequently put down, abused, and neglected. With Abuela, Ogle receives the love and support that he is so often lacking at home. One of the ways Abuela’s love transforms Ogle’s life is by investing in his future. She begins to pay him for earning good grades in school, incentivizing him to work hard because: “[Y]ou are worth / investing in. You are special. / One day, you will do great things. / If you work hard” (106). Ogle is intelligent, but the instability and chaos of his home life often prevent him from achieving his true potential. 

Once Abuela shows him how much she believes in him, Ogle begins trying harder in school, soon becoming one of the top performers in his class.