like branches on a tree

By Brenda Rivas Palominos

Family. Having many connections and loved ones by your side at all times, whether it is long distance or close by. There will always be a connection of comfort. 

I have a lot of family here in San Jose, but I wouldn’t say I am very close to them since there are a lot of age gaps between them. Growing up I had only one person I could relate to which was my cousin Jose. I don’t necessarily call him Jose I always call him by his nickname that my aunt gave him which is Moso.

We're only a year apart, I’m the oldest of us two. My parents were the godparents of his twin siblings so we would all see each other often even to the present day. Moso has always been outgoing and very talkative with people, on the other hand, I was the complete opposite. Sometimes I wondered how we got along knowing we weren’t always as alike, but we were the youngest pre-teens of our family so really we only had each other to relate to.

Moso had a lot of nicknames before the final one stuck to him, he has the same name as his dad (my uncle) so without getting them mixed up my aunt had stuck him with Moso. Only our relatives know him by that, every other person will say his name. He has embraced having it, acknowledging being called a special name. 

Moso: Honestly I have never hated it I’ve really liked it because it was given to me by my mother. When she would give me carino's (way of showing affection) she would call me “Moso mi precioso” (Moso my precious) 

Now Moso has never been the most open with me, growing up he was little more closed off til now that were at a grown age. Honestly I was a little shocked he was able to tell me more details about how he felt, but I am glad he was open and knows that were still close even if we don’t talk everyday. Knowing that I’m here for him, he knows that were still able to talk about anything going on in our lives. 

Moso: Were able to have deep conversations now and I still laugh about the situations, we can never take anything serious. Not only did I consider you a cousin, but you were also like a close friend to me, from hanging out with my friends to talking about how our life is changing it’s good to have someone who can relate to 

As our life progresses each day, sometimes we wonder if life could be any different if we didn’t have the people we are close to around us. Wondering if not having a specific childhood or a specific environment would affect anything in our lives. I felt as though if i didn’t have Moso in my life, my childhood would have been completely different. I’d say Moso would feel the same way.

Moso: Honestly, I do feel like if I didn’t grow up with you I would have had a different childhood. Were only like a year apart, everyone around me was a different age gap and it does create a gap since I’m like a 12 year old talking with a 24 year old. It really does create that awkward moment since like what do you even talk about you know. 

Moso is like a brother to me, he’s not the most talkative person when it comes to things happening in his life. Sometimes he goes through harsh moments with himself or about anyone including me. We’ve had our ups and downs but at the end of the day we still get through our issues even if its comes to not speaking to each othe for a couple of days. I have my pet peeves about him, anyone with a brother could understand what I mean. I know for a fact that he has issues with me from time to time. 

Moso: Yeah you get on my nerves sometimes [laughs] but I like how I am with my siblings, especially with the twins in the end I care about you guys. Yeah I know I get in my moods or whatever but I know you guys know that I don’t mean in a harsh way I just have my times too. We’ve all had our arguments but you know it gets resolved. 

Time goes by really fast when you least expect it. Were growing day by day, completing our goals and enjoying our time with family and friends. I feel that Moso is someone that is always gonna be there for me. Having those close to you is a true blessing. 

“Families are like branches on a tree, we grow in different directions yet our roots remain as one."