I remember
The sweet smell of grandma's freshly made capirotada and atole on a cold winter day
And the repulsive stench of tuna salad that filled the air every afternoon coming home from school

I remember
The joyous laughter of people when all the neighbors got together outside to play a game of Loteria

I remember
The bitterness of Lucero's words when I told her I didn't want to be her friend anymore because she was always a bore,
But of course her argument didn't last very long since lovely Mrs. Juarez had to teach us a new song

I remember
Making sugar skulls for El Dia De Los Muertos and laying and laying out pictures and specially prepared food on tables for late loved ones. It was like a shrine to Them that showed we still cared.
Also, around that time when the river grew, people would tell these ridiculous stories about la llorona to scare the children into coming inside earlier and going to Bed. Ha ha ha it worked every time

I remember
Pretending to be an Aztec warrior every time I would see my grandpa dressed in his feathered costume and nut shell bell shoes performing his weird ritual Everyday at sundown. I don't know what is was but I called it a moon dance since he wouldn't stop dancing and chanting until the moon came up.

I remember
Wearing my favorite bear pajamas
While I watched El Chavo Del Ocho with my grandma before I went to bed

I remember
Getting together with friends and family from our town and throwing huge block parties on Christmas Eve that lasted all day and all night until people got tired And went home

I remember
The moment I saw my mother for the first time in years since I had been sent to Mexico as a four month old infant. Tears ran down her cheeks and her eyes Glistened beautifully as she called my name and took me in her arms and to this day never let me go.