Writing Truths

I had a great evening with my sister, son, and husband. Gathered at the dinner table our conversation led us to the indigenous languages of Nahuatl, Yacutec Maya, and Purépecha. We candidly spoke about what it's like when you're American and one of your parents was born on foreign soil, what that means as far as identity and connection and how people treat you differently on both turfs even though either will go to great lengths to prove otherwise. 

We spoke of travel, education, and culture.  My son worked on his mathematics and reading homework.  We asked him if he learned about Columbus.  He said he had learned a bit about Columbus, but the teachers were sure to tell him that Columbus did not discover America.  A fact that I was proud was being taught to my fifth grader.  This could also be respective to the area in Texas where we reside.

It was a beautiful evening as we wrapped up the conversation and the laughter when we took it outside to water the matas (plants).  It reminded me of being at my grandmothers.  How each evening we'd spend long hours at her home and she'd take us outside in one sweeping gesture so that she could water her dear plants.  The conversation always turned lighthearted and carefree as she spoke about different plants and different animals that attacked her plants.  

I found myself in a pleasant déjà vu last night.  I am becoming the matriarch in small and careful steps as God wills it.  Stories continue to riddle my lips and l find it is my duty to keep these stories alive in the best way I know how, speaking and writing my truth.  

Pajarito, A Storyteller

I find random items in my yard while regando las matas. I imagine the birds make their way to my fence and bring stories of other yards along with them. They drop pieces of plastic, ties, ropes, nails, cardboard, leaves, pecans, grass clippings, branches, and seeds.

Each item is an adventure entertained by these pajaros as they make their way around the neighborhood. On occasion, I find a feather or two. Perhaps, a territorial move to prove that they own a particular piece of the barrio. Stealing stories for each other and conquering tales of other birds, they litter the ground with new cuentos that can be told en la mañanita. 

“Y los pajaritos cantan, la luna ya se metió...”