Gifted

Earlier this week I ran into a Panda Express and picked up their Orange Chicken. Along with the chow mien, fried rice, egg roll, I also was given the ubiquitous fortune cookie. I couldn’t finish all that was dished out, so saved the leftovers in the fridge. Sunday night is the traditional clear the fridge of things that are growing a culture because the trash truck comes tomorrow morning.

I had a chance to finally open my fortune cookie and this is what it said.

It made me feel great because it was stating the very obvious. I am not taking this to mean that I am a person of many talents as being gifted. I am taking this to mean that I have been gifted with a great family. My immediate family gives me unconditional love and support, and I reciprocate always.

Going back one generation, my mom, dad, sister and brother were also a great gift. La Familia is the greatest gift in the Latino family. No matter what came, Mama Tina always kept the family together—contra viento y marea—we always had a united clan.

 

 

This photo was taken the summer of 1957: Sis was in nursing school in Corpus Christi, I had just graduated from high school, our sweet baby brother was four years old and probably learning to ride his tricycle. My Dad certainly has the look of pride in picture (Mom was taking the picture).