A little sentimental

The last post was a little sentimental for my personal taste. I guess we can crack it up to me not having seen my closest friends and family for the past 10 months or so. Anyways, I did mean it all, but it probably won't happen again for another 10 months. But like my mom said, sometimes you should get a little sentimental, maybe she's right.

Holidaytime

The holidays are for families. They are days when you get together with all the people you can and share stories, food, and gifts. Along with the cheer and joy, there is stress and tension. But always there is family. About 8 years ago, I lost one of the most important people in my life, my dad. His death left a huge gap in my life, and my holidays. No longer would he plop our traditional lobsters in the pot of boiling water, no longer would I wake up at 4 in the morning to try, unsuccessfully, to wake up both my parents 2 hours earlier then they would like, and no longer would I be able to share my holiday cheer and hope with him. 8 years ago I would never believe that I would slowly fill up that hole left by him with more people to love and love me.

Over the years, I have come across more people who have added themselves to my family. My high school girlfriends, who no matter the distance or time between us, can pick up where we left, gather missing stories up over dinner, and laugh at ourselves, each other, and well the unfortunate (or perhaps fortunate) souls that we have had the pleasure of spending time with. They have been a support that I can’t imagine not being in my life, no matter what happens. They keep me sane, silly, grounded, and dreaming. Liz, Leila, Evelyn, and Calli are what people hope to find in a lifetime, and perhaps what makes us so amazing is our differences. From pop culture obsessed, country music dancing, and hipster mocking lovers we make sure to let everyone know they aren’t free from being ridiculous in their passions, and not immune from loving ridicule.

College brought along 2 other women into my life. Kate and Laura are two people who brought out new things about me and through boyfriends and long nights we still know how to have a good time and the meaning of good friends. College is one of the first times in most people’s lives that takes them away from their families, forcing them to create a new one with friends who don’t share giant noses, unmanageable hair, distinct accents, or strange last names. These two women came from close to home and across the ocean. Never would I have guessed that our first meeting, where first impressions were wrong, that they would be people I would never not want to meet. Along with Kate and Laura, I also have a whole host of friends that came into my life, some have gone onto bigger, better things, some have stayed in contact, and some fade in and out in my life. All have made impacts on me in their own ways and I can never forget.

A year ago I wasn’t even thinking about the people I would now include within my ever growing family. Danielle, Leslie, Kathryn, and all the RCD 19ers that I shared 3 months with and now every so often a weekend or whole week, remembering long nights, long days, and successes and challenges (both in our sites and our lives). They have become my support, some of the only people that understand what I am experiencing and for months the people who give me a dose of home. I also can’t forget about the people that have added themselves to my life from the other projects, namely Adrienne and Nicole. Adrienne happened to end up, lucky or unlucky for her, next to me. She is definitely one of the people I don’t mind walking back up my hill to go see. Nicole has been one of the people that has added joy and excitement to my life. I know I can rely on her to always be there, just like she can rely on me.
Moreover, I have had a huge add-on of family members, I now I have 2 more fathers, Rodrigo and Sigifredo, 2 new mothers, Emilce and Lisbeth, 3 more brothers Mauricio, Fabian, and Felipe, 3 more sisters Cynthia, Catalina, and Paulina, and now a new sister-in-law Josline. These people have feed me, cleaned my clothes, entertained me, taken me out, taught me, put up with my sometimes atrocious Spanish, and most importantly loved me and listened to me. They have understood when I was lonely or missing home, they have understood when I needed my privacy or control over my meals, they have understood that I come from a different culture and a different world, but opened themselves and their lives up to a new daughter, sister, and friend. I also can’t forget all the aunts, uncles, cousins, grandmothers, and all the other people in my community that have opened their homes, their cupboards, and their hearts to me and my mission to save the world. We have laughed, shared stories and fears, and taught each other invaluable lessons on life and love. I owe so much to you all, and I have so much more to share with you and learn from you.

Most importantly, perhaps, my mom after losing my father decided to love someone else. This brought more members into my family. I have a step-dad now, Bill. He has brought joy into my mom’s life, which is the best gift you could have given me. I have 2 new step-sisters, and even though I don’t skype them as much as my host mom would like me to, they are apart of my family and I do love them as I love members of my family. I also have a sabrina and a step(?)-brother-in-law and a wonderful new aunt. All these people have added new dimensions to my life and I wouldn’t change a thing that would make them not be apart of my life.

Happy Holidays all, whether it is Christmas, Hanukah, just the News Years, and of course all the December birthdays (including mine) that probably got passed over in the past. I love each and every one of you. Be safe, have fun, and a remember to love everyone you meet.