You learned that life is fragile. You learned this at the velorio (wake) of a cousin, where the family gathered not just to cry, but to sing and drink coffee and tell jokes about the deceased. you learned that joy and grief are not opposites; they are two sides of the same shiny peso coin.
: Colombian family life often revolves around the mother, who is frequently the primary caregiver and emotional anchor. Girls observe mothers who are expected to balance household management, career, and a societal pressure to maintain a "perfect" appearance. as a little girl growing up in colombia
: A fundamental pillar, particularly towards elders. Children are taught formal manners ( buenos modales ) early on, including using polite forms of address. You learned that life is fragile
: A brief reflection on attending a public school and competing on a swim team in Colombia before moving to the U.S. at age seven, highlighting the contrast between the two cultures. Wildlife Veterinarian Reflection : Colombian family life often revolves around the
I was just a body. And for a moment, that was enough.
The backyard held a guayabo (guava) tree that sagged under the weight of fruit. My cousins and I would climb it to spy on the neighbor’s rooster, whispering about which one of us would move to “the city” first. We believed Medellín was a fairy tale kingdom and Cartagena was underwater. We weren’t far off.
I didn’t have a finca . I had a patio with a lemon tree and a dog with three legs.