Identity

6
That sunny May Day afternoon all of the classes in third grade were assigned to dance the Mexican Hat Dance in the elementary school festival. It was one of the few ways that our culture was honored in school. Every May Day there would be one class that performed something Mexican. It may have always been the Mexican Hat Dance because I don’t remember any other dances.

Mama Carmela

At suppertime, someone unexpected would show up hoping that they would be able to share some of the delicious meal.  At times, some of the women who had earlier contributed monetarily to the meal would give a cry of disapproval as to why someone who did not contribute was still able to come in and eat.  My abuela’s response always was, “Un plato de comida no se le niega a nadie,” you should never deny anyone a plate of food.

La bondad no cuesta nada

1
The day I walked in to my high school biology class for the first time, I never imagined it would be the moment I met the most influential woman in my life....

The Bonnie Hansen School

Mi abuelita thrives in my heart despite her transformation to a spiritual ancestor. Her details of how to make the masa made a bold call for spirituality in my cooking.

La alma de mi cocina