Growing up in a culture rich home has been one of the biggest blessings I have received from my Heavenly Father. I love everything about being Latina! I love the food, the dancing, the loud conversations, how easy it is to make friends, the hilarious expressions that simply can't be translated to English, the wacky old wives tales and most of all, I love the people.
I don't know how to explain it to someone that hasn't grown up surrounded by this, but you know the expression, "It takes a village to raise a child?" Well that's kind of what it's like. A huge village of loud, bossy, funny people! Some of them are blood related, but many of them aren't, and yet they still feel like family. More specifically, I have an amazing ward filled with hard working, caring, compassionate, hilarious, and friendly individuals. I am most grateful for them! I love going to church and feeling like I'm home. I thank them for that :)
But being Latina also carries certain responsibilities as well. Specifically, I feel a deep responsibility for representing my community in the best way and not conforming to untrue stereotypes. I hope to portray the best my culture has to offer: trust, commitment and loyalty, a strong understanding of the word family , an unbelievably strong work ethic, and a complete understanding of how to have fun.
And so, because a lot of people don't know I am Hispanic (since I'm a white girl with green eyes haha) I decided to let everyone know just a little bit more about me and where I come from :)
Love you all,
Ellie
Eli, there's a reason you waited a while to post something. It was so you would have the inspiration for this.
ReplyDeleteI think that was beautifully expressed. Thank you for conveying the feelings and thoughts that so many of us have but cannot say like that.
Being Latino (or Hispanic... seriously, people think that Spain is so different), is one of the biggest blessings in my life.
Thank you for also helping others to feel at home at our ward. And thank you for representing all the good qualities a Latino should stand for.
I love you!