Here is the blog I wrote a
few weeks after returning from Mexico in August but just never finished
correcting and posting. Considering the theme that evolved in this short essay,
it seems appropriate to post it just before the Thanksgiving holiday.
Mexico
When I write the word Mexico
a James Taylor song plays in my head:
Oh, Mexico
It sounds so simple I
just got to go
The sun's so hot I forgot
to go home
Guess I'll have to go
now…
When I think of Mexico I
don’t think of the country or the Villa. Mexico for me means family. Family is
synonymous with Unconditional Love, Loyalty, and Friendship. My view of family
is that family is and always will be there for me and I am always here for them.
I can go through my stuff and not participate in family events when I’m not up
to it but I know that when I am ready I will join in and we pick up like there
was never any interruption. There are some family members that at times I have
spoken with everyday, like some of my sisters, as we shared our early parenting
days. There are other family members that I speak with mostly on special
occasions or with the occasional phone call to catch up, usually this happens
with my brothers, who mean just as much to me. There are all the fabulous
nephews and nieces that I see at special events. Regardless of the frequency of
our encounters, my family always welcomes me as if we just hung out together
yesterday.
It’s no secret that every
family has it’s own set of complications and with a family the size of mine (11
siblings!) there is always some sort of drama playing out somewhere. We love
each other fiercely and we will meddle! With some maturity comes knowing the
difference between well meaning meddling and judging. All my siblings have the
best intentions but sometimes we judge each other, hurting each other, but so
far we have been able to overcome these errors and enjoy each other again,
because you don’t just write-off family. At times family can be the best thing
ever! Then other times, it’s complicated. There is quite a bit I can say on
this subject, but, I think what I really want to say is that with complications
and all, I am very grateful for my family.
I am grateful for: my
sister Cuca who always seems to laugh; my sister Lipa who always remembers my
birthday; my late sister Mila who seemed to thoroughly enjoy whatever stage of
life she was in, like the many stages of motherhood; then there’s Ben, my
oldest brother, he is always ready to celebrate anything; Raul who is famous
for his ability to come up with a saying for everything; my brother Jaime who I
will always see as my sweet younger brother; Irene who is loving and supportive
in a hands on kind of way; Teresa who is always generous and encouraging; Liz who
was my lifesaver when I became a working mom and I knew she was near if my kids
needed anything; and finally Mary, the baby, who is incredibly courageous and
independent. Dad worked so hard to keep a roof over our head, successfully! Mom
continues to model generosity, kindness, and compassion. I am grateful to have
this family.
Oh, Mexico
It sounds so simple I
just got to go
The sun's so hot I forgot
to go home
Guess I'll have to go
now…
