The hardest lesson for me to learn throughout this experience is to deal with the loneliness. I come from a huge family, my grandparents did not believe in television. We are about 150 here in the states only; we are dispersed throughout the country. Truthfully, we have spread out. We have created many separate little families throughout and although we strive to remain close, sometimes it doesn’t just work out.
In my immediate family, there’s only my mother, my children and I left. I have lost a sister and just this last year my father. All of my extended family and my friends are everywhere else. So I called everyone and told them all we were starting a new tradition. I urged them all to get a candle, any candle and I proposed that on nochebuena we all light this candle, I proposed that in making this little light we all connect with the ones that we wish were there to share this night with us. I propose we light this candle in honor of all of those who have in one way or another left a mark in our lives and whose little bit of essence we carry around in our hearts forever.
So I offer you this little light. I offer you this little light to honor those that are not with you on this night. Whether they are far away or have passed on, whether you still know them or not. This little light can burn for all of those who have shared of themselves with you throughout your life.
On nochebuena with my little family I will light this candle for Yalile, my beloved sister and for Rodolfo, my father. I will recall the wonderful times we share and pass them on to my children so that they live on forever. I will light the candle for my aunts and uncles and cousins galore, for my nieces and nephews and for my great nieces and great nephews. For all the friends that throughout the years have become family and for the wonderful people that have somehow touched my life. And I will light this candle for each and all of you, because I am grateful for your presence in my life and because being here with you everyday and sharing the tidbits of life we share, makes me appreciate all the wonderful things in all of you and helps me feel a little less lonely. I invite you to honor those who have come into your life and to put our differences aside and celebrate this season of love.
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