The Vomit Pan

Last night, I recieved a message to call my brother because it was an emergency. It sounded like he was crying. Right away I assumed the worst- something had happened to my mother. I tried to call back but had trouble connecting on a cell phone to San Diego. So, I waited for the house phone and called my brother. He answers, "Oh God, Nina. Let me call you back at this number." So we hang up and I anxiously wait as the minute goes by like an hour. The phone rings; my cat has died. A huge wave of relief comes over me because my mother is okay. But, my poor little friend stopped breathing and gave up on his life. This only made me realize how much we really do need to enjoy and appreciate everything life throws at us. The ups and downs are all experiences worth enjoying because life can end in the matter of seconds.

I was born and raised in San Diego, California. My family is all from Mexico, and I visit them very often, or at least I used to. I love my culture and my family. With them I feel acceptance, love, and full support. It was very hard for me to move away so far, but it has definitely been a journey I do not regret. I have learned so much about myself being her in Chico, California now. This land up here is rich and beautiful and I can just take a small peak out my window and realize why I'm so happy to be alive. The greens, reds, blues, purples and so many other colors that I see. They all let me see the splendor that is diversity.

Everything is moving all around us. The earth is rotating on its axis around the sun. And here we are moving past one another as fast as our destiny can take us. Everyday I see hundreds of different people, each on their own path of life. I hope everyone can stop to smell the roses every once and awhile and realize that we are all here stuck in this place, seeing different things yet sharing so many common experiences. Feeling love and anger and pain in the same ways, reminds us that we are all human. We are not alone in our journey for the one thing which will make us happy. We must all find the beauty in our path and share with each other the greatness of being alive.