Been a tough day.
So a little of my family history. This is my grandma. Her grandma (my great great grandma) use to hide Poncho Villa. He was on the run from the law. My great great uncles fought with him. Their names are on a memorial wall in Mexico. My great great grandmother was a shero in her own sense. She brought in revolutionary guerrilla fighters, fed them, housed them. She had six children of her own. Three boys, three girls. The girls ended up going to New Mexico, then to Arizona to Catholic school. The boys went to military school. She sent them here for a better life. My family has struggled but worked hard.
One of my earliest memories is when I was about eight-years-old. It was Cinco de Mayo. I had two braids with red white and red ribbons hanging all the way down my back. I remember being so excited and nervous. I was dressed in my beautifully made (by my great Grandma) folklorico skirt and shirt. I had little heels. As we got set to dance down the La Cienega Boulevard in LA., I can’t even explain the feelings. I twirled my skirt and danced during the march and for hours after. The music and atmosphere was so amazing, happy, festive. Today I was talking to my grandma about it and it reminds me where I come from. It makes me sad that along with this busy life, I have lost my roots, but it also makes me realize why I am who I am. My grandma is pushing 90. And just sitting on this Cinco de Mayo reminds me that life is short. Don’t get lost in the day today. Take time while you make your own roots to remember the ones your elders have rooted.
Crystal Rose Sanchez heads up the Sacramento, CA Homeless Union.
Crystal Sanchez is with the Sacramento Homeless Union.
