I’m home! Oh Lord, I am HomeI decided to do a surprise visit to my mother and family in Puerto Rico – a speechless encounter! We arrived to see from the airplane endless blue tarps covering the roofs of many homes. Holding back my tears from up there was only manageable because we could still see how beautiful my island truly is.
In the midst of devastation, there is hope provided in the trees and palm trees reviving. If Mother Nature is an indication of anything – Puerto Rico is coming back. It will take a long recovery process but hope is in the hearts of its children.
Our traditional first stop was in Piñones – a must for born islanders when coming down from up north. In Piñones there is music, culture, food, and the Atlantic Ocean. We met Medalla there. (Medalla is our Puerto Rican beer).
We proceeded to a must second stop for born islanders – Guavate: La ruta del lechón (path of the roasted suckling pig). Medalla followed us there as well.
It was time to surprise my mother. We drove from the mountainous town of Cayey to the coastal town of Guayama – my very special birthplace. Seeing the devastation caused, made Adriana and I silent companions, yet inside we were expressing the same feelings.
We arrived at my mom’s humble home. She was watering the plants near the front left side of the house. Michu, the cat was witnessing this daily routine. We parked our black car in front of the house catching her attention. When I opened the door her hands went up to her head as she whispered: “Oh my God my baby is here.” I ran up the stairs to embrace the woman I owe everything I am. When we finally were able to speak I said: Bendición (a Latino custom where we ask our elders for their blessings). To which she responded: “DIOS te Bendiga” (God bless you).
I’m home! Oh Lord, I am home, but I already knew that as soon as the plane landed for it is custom for everyone in Puerto Rico to applaud as soon as we land on the island. I knew then and there…..I’m home!
#Grateful #Blessed #Islander #PuertoRico
#MyBirthplace #Myfoundation #MyLegacy
In the midst of devastation, there is hope provided in the trees and palm trees reviving. If Mother Nature is an indication of anything – Puerto Rico is coming back. It will take a long recovery process but hope is in the hearts of its children.
Our traditional first stop was in Piñones – a must for born islanders when coming down from up north. In Piñones there is music, culture, food, and the Atlantic Ocean. We met Medalla there. (Medalla is our Puerto Rican beer).
We proceeded to a must second stop for born islanders – Guavate: La ruta del lechón (path of the roasted suckling pig). Medalla followed us there as well.
It was time to surprise my mother. We drove from the mountainous town of Cayey to the coastal town of Guayama – my very special birthplace. Seeing the devastation caused, made Adriana and I silent companions, yet inside we were expressing the same feelings.
We arrived at my mom’s humble home. She was watering the plants near the front left side of the house. Michu, the cat was witnessing this daily routine. We parked our black car in front of the house catching her attention. When I opened the door her hands went up to her head as she whispered: “Oh my God my baby is here.” I ran up the stairs to embrace the woman I owe everything I am. When we finally were able to speak I said: Bendición (a Latino custom where we ask our elders for their blessings). To which she responded: “DIOS te Bendiga” (God bless you).
I’m home! Oh Lord, I am home, but I already knew that as soon as the plane landed for it is custom for everyone in Puerto Rico to applaud as soon as we land on the island. I knew then and there…..I’m home!
#Grateful #Blessed #Islander #PuertoRico
#MyBirthplace #Myfoundation #MyLegacy
