My Open Heart

By Mariana Castañeda

As the years have passed, my grandma, Alicia, continues to infuse our lives with her bright spirit and never-ending energy. She has an amazing ability to find joy in the simplest things, like taking walks through the park or brewing up blends of herbal remedies that she’s always ready to share. 

One of her favorite pastimes has always been taking a stroll through the park. Whether in the early morning or cloudy evening, she always finds time to connect with nature. I remember from the times that I would join her, she would meet the trees as if they were old friends, even developing them in warm embraces. At first, I would always find it bizarre, but soon she would explain to me that the trees were like channels of energy, and being in connection with them, we could absorb some of nature's zest. Although her words may have seemed whimsical, there was always something that gave me a sense of serenity whenever we were enveloped in those moments. 

Alicia: “Pues ahora en la actualidad, pues yo vivo mi vida. Trato de ser lo más positiva posible, me gusta caminar, me gusta abrazarme de los árboles. Vivo, creo que vivo la vida lo más que se puede.” [Translation: Well now actually, I just live my life. I try to be as positive as possible, I like walking, I like hugging the trees. I believe that I live life to the fullest one could possibly do.” 

Despite all the challenges she faced, especially during her early days in America, my grandma has never lost her zing for life. She has shown all of us the importance of living life with endurance and most importantly happiness. Her decision to sacrifice her own comfort for the well-being of her family and others perfectly embodies her selflessness and unconditional love. 

Alicia: “Las personas más importantes de mi vida son mis hijas. Y porque? Pues porque en cierta manera, ellas me eligieron a mí como mamá..y me siento orgullosa de mis hijas porque siento que todas a pesar de todo salieron adelante y son triunfantes en esta vida.” [Translation: The people that are most important to me in my life are my daughters. Why? Well because in some sort of manner, they chose me as their mom and I feel proud because my daughters, all of them, after everything they were able to keep on going forward and triumph in this life.” 

For my last story, I decided to delve deeper into the story of my grandmother’s past, in hopes to learn more about how she became the strong woman she is now. When my grandma first arrived in America, she faced challenges that many others like her could relate to. She didn’t speak English, and she didn’t have many resources at her side, only my uncle and a few other family members. However, even through these obstacles, she remained unfettered as her dream was to build a better life for herself and for those who mattered the most to her, her daughters. 

Alicia: “Luche el estar en otro país, porque yo vine en ese mire de trabajar y es difícil porque no sabes el ingles, y eso fue difícil….y el hecho de pues echarle ganas porque yo había dejado a dos de mis hijas que no estaban casadas aya y me las quería traer, así que eso fue el motor para echarle ganas” [Translation: I struggled with being in another country, because I came with the urge to work and it was hard not knowing english and well that was difficult for me and I had to give it my all because I had left two of my daughters who weren’t married behind and I wanted to bring them so that was my motivation to work hard.”

My grandma is a pillar of strength in our family, managing to raise 4 daughters single-handedly and working tirelessly to provide for her family. As I look at my own mother and her sisters, I can see how they resemble the same values of resilience, compassion, and strength. And even myself, I can see how through her actions, she has taught me the value of family bonds and the importance of supporting one another through life’s trials. 

As I grew older, I’ve come to realize that my grandmother’s love for life wasn’t just a reflection of her beautiful personality; it was a choice she made each and every day. This has taught me that happiness isn’t something that is pursued, but something that must be cultivated from within. 

Alicia: “Pues que en esta vida que nomás estamos aqui de pason, traten de ser felices lo más que se pueda. Que vivan lo que les gusta, que hagan lo que les parece bien, y que siempre hagan lo que ellas creen que tienen que hacer. Y pues a mis nietos que se superen, que estudien, pero también que vivan la vida, que se den todo lo mejor para ellos y que sean positivos, que disfruten y vivan la vida.” 

[Translation: Well that in this life we only live once, try to be as happy as possible, do the things you enjoy, whatever you feel is right and think is the right thing to do. And for my grandchildren, get over things, study but also live life to the fullest, Do those things that will be good for you and be positive, enjoy and live this life.]

Today, as I write this story, I can reflect on everything that my grandmother has taught me through both her words and her personal experiences. I am pleased to say that I am filled with gratitude for every lesson of love and triumph she has showered upon me and my family. She may be optimistic and can shine as bright as the sun, but beneath all of that lies a strong woman full of remarkable depth and courage.