Thankful

Thankful 2010
Wednesday November 23rd, 2010


Queridos Familia y Amigos

I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for your love, encouragement and support in 2010 and throughout life; whether it’s been your prayers, positive vibes, money, or letting me vent on the phone….I would not have been able to experience this insightful journey in Mexico (that has not ended) without all of you. Hermanas preciosas, my role models, my inspiration I don’t have the words to express all my admiration, gratitude and respect for each one of you.… Susy, Mandy, Tammy and Lily Muchas Gracias por ser parte de mi vida, I love you beautiful ladies! Mayte, prima querida pero más loca que nadie que he conocido, tú sabes que te quiero y te apoyo en todas tus locuras. Norma my priceless and gorgeous prima, thanks for all the good times and all the advice you’ve given me throughout all these years, it doesn’t matter whether or not we see each other as often as we may wish as long as we know that we love each other and we’ll always be just a phone call or email away. Having lived in Guadalajara for a little over five years has brought many wonderful…… and bad experiences which have opened my eyes to a whole new world that has been a part of me since the day I was born but I neglected to see it for a long time. Ojo: lots of espanglish ahead.
Esta mañana as I took a cold shower I had time to reflect about all the turmoil and tragedies happening in México and I couldn’t help but feel a profound emptiness in my heart and in my soul but at the same time I felt VERY grateful for all the amazing things and wonderful people in my journey. Although Thanksgiving is THE perfect day to appreciate the countless blessings in our lives we don’t have to await for this specific holiday as each day is a new promise and it gives us many chances to start anew.

So before expressing my appreciation I’d like to ponder on some of the experiences I’ve been through which have made me feel even more fortunate.


In 2005 when I was part of la otra campaña I was able to see……………………...
Men and women working 14-16 hour days for 45 pesos or roughly $4.50; the organization, solidarity, and unity of different types of people not only on a national level, but an international one; the presence of chicanos, mexicanos and people del otro lado; people fighting and struggling their entire lives; an anger so deep that they are willing to die fighting, not for money or richness, but for their families and land, their mother earth.

I learned……
That the only way to really see and listen is with the heart; people who have less, offer the most; and most of all, I have learned that before we can even think about changing our community, our country, the world, the change must start within each one of us. I have also learned to be self dependent because no one will always be there to do everything for me, the way it was before.
After listening to the voices of these people I began to feel their pain and suffering. Throughout my travels, their stories and their palabras began touching my heart. Listening to them sent shivers through my body; but their anger, resistance and courage began to run through my veins and stirred something inside of me. During these brief but profound moments in la Otra Campaña, each child I played with, don o doña I spoke with, each danza o cancion I heard began to touch my Corazon, until I realized it was filled with love for this country, this culture, this raza-mi raza. And then I concluded that we truly are connected, and although I am from el otro lado, las raices run through my blood and the border really is only an imaginary line, because no migra, minute man, or muro can keep our hearts from uniting and fighting for what we believe and know……..that another world is possible------Otro mundo sí es possible!!!
In the end, I experienced a personal transformation that changed me indefinitely, and I have all of you to thank for being a part of this journey we call life.

That’s why today I am even more thankful for all these things and moreover to be alive:

For the mother I have who calls me when I am in the middle of class to ask me “¿vas a venir a casa?” “pasa por un kilo de tortillas.” Because I know she’s only a few miles away.
For the siblings I have even though they are oceans away because I know they care about me and time and distance will never matter.
For my crying nephews because they bring peace, hope and happiness into my life. For the taxes I pay to FREAKING hacienda because it means I am another one of their slaves……… I mean, because I am employed.
For the mess to clean after a get together because it means I’ve been surrounded by friends.
For the clothes that fit a little too snug because it means I have enough to eat.
For my shadow that watches me work because it means I am out in the sunshine.
For being able to talk to myself during all those long and lonely drives because it means that I have a voice.
For a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need fixing because it means I have a home.
For all the complaining I hear about the government because it means we have freedom of speech – although “freedom of speech” is the most abstract idea I’ve ever known of.
For the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot because it means I am capable of walking. And I have been blessed with transportation.
For my huge heating bill because it means I am warm.
For the ice cold showers I take in the mornings when I don’t make it to the gym because I don’t know how the damn boiler works and my roommate is never home to help me get it started!
For the lady behind me at church who sings off key because it means I can hear.
For the pile of laundry and ironing because it means I have something to wear and I don’t have to go out in the street butt naked.
For weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means I’ve been capable of working hard.
For the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours to wake me up (wait! I don’t need an alarm)
For dealing with insomnia and waking up before the entire world because I can enjoy the day for longer hours.
For I have friends who are thinking about me and accept me as the IMPERFECT human being I am.
For my students that bring so much happiness and special moments to my life.
For the endless mistakes I’ve made because they have forged me into a better person.
For all the “pelados” on the street who yell at me “bombón” when the first ray of sun hasn’t even come out yet because I feel attractive again.
For all those who have pushed me to compete with my own self (and not with others) and strive for the best.
For all the knowledge I have because nobody will ever take it away; it’ll be with me until I cease to exist.
For the fear I’ve felt every single day before I hop out of bed and which has NEVER prevented me from doing a single thing I’ve wanted to do in life.
For every day getting closer to accomplishing the woman I was meant to become.
For having faith once more and for holding on to God.
For being in México once again because I have a mission to accomplish in this country.
For the wisdom marks (wrinkles) on my face because they’re proof that I’ve become a much more intelligent woman.
For having my heart broken for I know what it’s like to love and be loved.
For all the people I’ve met from all walks of life; from the wealthiest individuals to those who live at the bottom of society, in the poorest conditions and in “todos los rincones.”
For those “princesas y guerreras, mujeres de hierro y de cristal,” those women who have been my role models, mentors and unconditional friends.
To Magguie Merino, Ana Gaby Elizondo and Graciela Zamudio for giving me the opportunity to be a part of Acortar Distancias.
Thank God and life for giving me many opportunities and for helping me feel alive and joyful again.
For being able to express myself through writing
To Veronica for being so positive and for giving me strength to keep going and fighting.
And last but not least, I am THANKFUL for the crazy people I work with because they make work interesting and fun (and chaotic at times).