I am an island girl from sun and sea.  From warm, blue Atlantic Ocean waters, white sand and beaches lined by palm trees and of breezy, green mountains that bloom with beautiful red royal poinciana trees, yellow allamandas, sweet guavas and sour acerolas.

I am from the suburbs of San Juan, Puerto Rico.  From a big family, modern yet traditional.  From warm Sunday afternoons at our grandparents house where I played with my brothers and cousins.  Ding, ding, ding, the ice cream truck drives up – grandpa gives quarters to all his grandchildren and we enjoy the cold ice cream after an afternoon of play and fun.  My grandmother telling me: “set your wings free and you will fly high”.

I am from going to church on Sundays and wearing a veil and white dress for my first communion.  From always saying please and thank you, flying kites and feeling the salty wind blowing in my hair.  I am from “don’t throw away your food – there are people who are not as fortunate” to “you’re not better than anyone, but no one is better than you” teachings from my parents. 

I am white from Spain – conquistadors who invaded our island, built our fort city of San Juan and lined it with cobblestone streets back in 1492.  I am mestizo from the Taino Indians that inhabited the island of Borinquen, later called Puerto Rico by their Spanish invaders looking for gold.  My skin color, tanned, my hair color, black – a mix of my Hispanic heritage.  I am a mix of Puerto Rican and American upbringing and traditions, Brady Bunch re-runs, Atari and cable TV.  U.S. by birth due to the gringo invasion of 1898, American yet different.

From Tio Tol – my favorite uncle – who fought in the Korean and Vietnam Wars and who welcomed me in the hot summers of South Carolina to practice English with my cousins.  I am a from a mix of traditions – of celebrations of the birth of Jesus, Santa Claus, and the Three Magi, of music –  villancicos from Spain, Puerto Rican parrandas and American carols; of dance – danza (Puerto Rican waltz), bomba and plena (from our folkloric African heritage), salsa and 80’s pop music.

“So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord.  And the Lord – who is the Spirit – makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image”.  2 Corinthians 3:18

I am from Minnesota – my home.  I am from endless memories and pictures of family outings, parties, vacations – in scrapbooks, albums, boxes, computers and phones.  Bell bottoms, ruffles, neon colors and vans shoes.  Big hair, high heels and of high school garage house parties in the 80’s.  Of heritage and new traditions.  Puerto Rican and American.

I am from the sweet smell of tropical flowers and the fresh smell of pine.  I am from the warm ocean breeze and the mist of the rain forest, and of the dry prairie and the cold of the snow and ice.  I am from white rice and pink beans, fried pork chops and plantains and of hot dishes, walleye fish and pies.  I am of family, of church, of scouting, of horses and pets.  I am of music, dance and song;  of giving and caring.  I am of tradition.  I am of second chances.  Of failures and successes.  I am of change.  I am of hope.  I am of love. 

I am.  And I am not alone.

Amen.