|
Coming back from visiting my family in Guatemala, I realized that in my airbus plane there were about 25 babies traveling to America with their newly adoptive families. Each mother and father gleamed with pride when passengers would make a comment about how pretty his or her baby was. I could not help but feel very happy for the infants, starting their journey with adoring parents and with increased opportunities to make it into a successful life. I wondered where each baby would end up, to what state would their destiny take them? I certainly hoped that it would be to a warm-weather place. Of all the adjustments that I have had to make since I moved to this country many years ago, the cold weather has definitely been one that is still not fully accomplished. Every winter I suffer and try to stay indoors as much as I can, counting the days to the arrival of the spring and the opportunity to begin enjoying a more temperate climate. Maybe if we do not start caring for the environment and paying more attention to global warming, the severe winters will become a thing of the past and will not bother me anymore. Recently my son Michael and I participated in the chronicles of Nashville when we accompanied the Spanish community of the south side of Nashville in their walk from Saint Edward Catholic Church to their new church “Our Lady of Guadalupe.” In spite of the mist and inclement weather, hundreds of Latinos showed up for the event and it was very exciting to see the scores of families arriving into their new sanctuary. A special program was prepared to commemorate this unique celebration: The day of the Virgin of Guadalupe and the onset of the first Spanish-speaking Catholic Parrish in Tennessee. The most reverend Bishop Choby made history by celebrating the first mass in Spanish at that church to honor the Virgin of Guadalupe among the excitement in each one of the filigree’s hearts, and in his speech Mayor Karl Dean referred to Nashville as a city characterized for its diversity, warmth and embracement of the different cultures. A new year has begun, this 2008 will bring many changes that will impact many people. Who will win the race to lead our country? Would we elect a woman or perhaps the first African-American? This certainly promises to be a very interesting year for all of us. ESpanglish Magazine wishes you a prosperous and healthy year 2008. May all your goals, dreams and wishes become a reality. And may each of us contribute in our own way to make this country, that we love so much, an even greater one.
|
