Dear Mami

Thank you for the dances, Mami. Who knew in my 20s I would love salsa so much.

Thank you for you heart. So deep, so vast, so pure, so strong.

Thank you for always being there, and for always loving me, in your own way. I will always be your wicked witch of the east. You will always be my woman, my mamita, tan linda.

Thank you for all the love you poured out into the world. I’m still learning about the love you gave so freely, even when people weren’t loving towards you. I always watched in amazement.

Thank you for Ana Gabriel. I remember always telling you to turn the sad music off. I never understood the depth of your sadness. My sadness, today, is so profound, I’m just beginning to understand.

Thank you for the blessings you left. My pain from your loss was also met with a soft love for the first time in my life. I know you put your hand in it, and I’ll never forget one of the last conversations we had. Thank you.

Thank you for the happy childhood you gave me and my siblings. You left us a manual for how to do life the right way. How to raise a family with love, strength, and deep intentionality.

2023 is ending, and I feel a deep sadness. I just want to sit on your lap and hug you strongly when the ball drops. I want to see you cry of happiness to have your kids together. To live to see another year. I will always cherish that memory, mami. And I will continue that tradition one day with my own family. And while 2023 has been one of deep sadness, I feel immense hope for the blessings to come, because you are magic, and because I will do everything in my power to make you happy and proud.