family

A love letter to my family

It’s not always greener on the other side
And sometimes the rain that feeds our oceans
provide the earth with the life our hearts desire to mirror.
It isn’t always greener but sometimes
there is a tenderness and a kindness that awaits you
on the other side.
It might be laughter, sorrow,
or an opportunity to practice getting free.
But if you can’t make it
just come back home.
The other side is always there
waiting

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Hope & Dreams

You made them possible. I know it seems ridiculous, but if I never loved you, I would’ve never met E. And it was her who led me to the doors I’m about to walk through. “La hija pródiga” my dad said to me, “look at you now.” I saw his smile and all I’ve wanted was to do something for them for their hard work with little pay and somehow, I’ve landed this job where I’ll be making enough money to pay their mortgage, my rent and travel the world–my biggest dream. What an amazing life. More than I would ever ask for, more than I could dream. And in the midst of it is all is love. I tried to image how I could get here another way, but there isn’t another way. If I never met you, I would have never met her and would have never gotten the opportunity. Seven more days and I move into my beautiful apartment. New place, new job, new life for me and my family. Salsa and more salsa. I couldn’t ask for more. If I did, it would be greedy. First countries to visit: Cuba, Ghana, Brazil,  South Africa after a weekend in Puerto Rico of course…

The Politics of Love

It’s almost Sunday morning. 11:29PM on Friday night. It’s been a while since my fingers have glided across this keypad. Since the pressure underneath my fingerprints compelled the words to form in my mind’s heart. I could say it’s because I’ve been busy, because I have been. But I am also in a very strange transition right now; one which continues to teach me about patience and love in action. The only type that should exist.

One of my favorite aunts lives in the home where I stay. She raised me along with several of my cousins–12 of us and now she’s raising our kids–all eight of them so far, with another on the way. I’ve always admired her. She is single as far as I know always has been with no children of her own but clearly a parent to us all. As a youth there was never any distinction between my mother’s authority and hers. Now, she serves as a consejera for our family. She is our spiritual guide and moral compass–not because of her status as a celibate–but because Continue reading →

La Verdad en la Cocina

One of my tias called the house. She had to leave work early, her blood pressure had risen so high, she thought she might faint. She’s going through a lot right now, tenants haven’t paid rent in 8 months and the money is running thin, not to mention she lost about 2,000 worth of belongings in our bed bug infested cabin last weekend. From the way she sounded it seemed she was alone in the house so my cousin (still off from work because her skin is too damaged from the allergic reactions to the bites) and I went to see her, she’s a 10 minute bus ride away but we took the 4 minute cab ride instead. Continue reading →