Mi Familia

From day one, I was accpeted into my house with so much overflowing love from all of my family. I was immediately adopted as an hija, hermana, y tia. The first time I saw mi mama was walking out of the airport, thoughts racing through my head, just hoping they had received the information of my flight change, and hoping there would be someone there to pick me up. And then i saw a smiling, older Peruvian woman admist all the tour guides and daxi drivers trying to convince me that I need to go with them, she stood there looking so happy that she might just start jumping up and down, and was holding a sign with my name on it. I waslked towards her and was embraced by the most welcoming hug, as though I was one of her own children coming home after many years. You can see by looking in mi mama^s eyes that she has lived a long, hard life and is a very strong woman. When I first moved in she was taking care of a family of seven. She is constantly working from before the sun is up to make sure everything is done and everyone has what they need. The house is always spotless, there is always good food cooking on the stove, and all the garden plants are tended to. She washes all the laundry by hand (an experience in itself) and hangs it on the lines on our roof to dry. Yesterday, just after she had finished showing me how to wash my clothes (at least an hour long process), and we had hung them up to dry, it began to pour rain for the next 12 hours ...just an extra rinse I suppose.  Hours are spent preparing the meals, she begins to cook our big lunch meal as soon as the dishes from breakfast are cleared. The most admirable thing about mi mama is that she never gets tired of serving others. Her acts are always genuine and so filled with warmth and love. Everything that she does, all that she has sacrificed is for others that she cares so deeply for. My two hermanas are both such beautiful women from the inside out. They have both been hurt by difficult relationships that resulted in divorce or separation, but their love for others and God , as well as their joy in life shines through them daily. Tula (Tulita) is 32 and a teacher, she is absolutely the comic relief of the family. She always finds a way to make those around her laugh and put a smile on everyone^s faces. Her laughter travels to all those around and you cannot help but enjoy every moment with her. She overflows with patience and is always there to listen, even when the sentences coming out of my mouth may not make sense at all. The oldest sister, Sonia, is up at the crack of dawn and works until late at night so that she can take care of her beautiful daughter, Joselyn (Jose). She is one of the most driven people I have ever seen and you never hear a complaint muttered by her. Sonia is so calm, collected, and focused, but when she comes home at night, it is all about loving on and playing with Jose until they go to bed in the small room that they share. Jose is my precious little 7-year-old niece who will never let you get bored. With her innocence and pure sweetness, she is the light and joy of this family, whom everyone adores. Mi hermano, Joseph is 28 and a civil engineer. He will be moving to a small town in the jungle of Peru in March to start a new job there. He has truly been a life saver for me in learning the city because his English is very good. From showing me which busses are ok to ride, to teaching me the streets not to walk down at night, he automatically took on the rold of big brother and protector for all his family. Mi papa is not around much because he is working all the time (also an engineer), but when he is home you can see the respect that everyone has for him. He is dedicated to loving and providing for his family, and is a very honorable man, in whom his family puts much trust. Though my family here makes fun of me for how I am not able to keep up with the amount of food they eat, the way I cannot make an "rr" sound to save my life, and the fact that I don^t like to wear shoes in the house, they have already shown me so much love to make me feel as though I have been a part of this family for years. They all are truly a gift from God to make me feel welcomed in the place where I am a foreigner. One does not enter or leave the house, go to bed or ger up in the morning without a hug and a kiss on the cheek for all. My time spent with them has already taught me so much about how to love others, and has reminded me of how often I take those I love for granted and do not let them know how appreciated they are in my life. I am constantly being shown love and grace in my daily life, yet out of selfishness, apathy, or due to distractions I forget or refuse to display this same love and thankfulness for those around me... definitely something that could use some alteration in my life.