Emerging: Mi Cultura..Mi Jornada-My Culture..My Journey

While I have three children of my own, and have mentioned them here. I have not mentioned the children of my heart. These children came to me through my kids. Little do many of us realize, our childrens friends can touch us in many ways.

First there is Virgil. He came into my life when at a very early age (in elementary school) he fell in-love with my oldest (same school). Virgil would come by to see Nana, always had a small offering for her, and always something for me. But it wasn't the small offerings that made me love him. It was the manner in which I could see the love for my child shine through his eyes. The care he took in always having time for her, his wonderful manners didn't hurt either! I was devastated (internally of course) when as they got older, my daughter confided that she loved Virgil, but more as a brother. I was a little dissapointed, but comepletely understood.
Virgil and Nana have grown up, Virgil went off to college, he is a daddy now, and I am soooo proud of him for the way he has stood up to the challenge of fatherhood. He keeps in touch, and I rarely get to speak to him as my daughter hogs the phone when he calls, but he always sends his love, I always send him mine. Virgil, son of my heart... Thank you for loving my oldest (in the early years), protecting my youngest, and for turning out to be the kind of man any mother would be proud to call a Son.

Enter Lorenzio (my name for him) and Marciece (I always want to put a Q in his name). They sort of came in at about the same time, both in high school with my oldest, and they along with my daughter quickly became the Three Muskateers and stationed themselves in my home. From the moment I first met these two, I felt an emotional pull, and I also knew two things right away. One, that my daughter had a thing for Marciece, but I knew he was not THE one for her. Two, that my Lorenzio was gay. Yes, You read correctly! Of course, at that time, I am not sure he knew he was, I never asked him, though I did ask my daughter and she said no. It was for Lorenzio that my love grew even faster. I guess I was preparing deep down inside for the day when He realized he was gay, and for the day he would tell his parents. I guess I prepared myself to give him all the love I could because I had seen too often what rejection from family does to a gay person. I was NOT going to allow him to feel that there was anything wrong with him!!! Thankfully, he did not need what I was prepared to give, his parents understood and accepted him. Lorenzio keeps in touch and he is doing well. He better always wear a raincoat too.

Marciece on the other hand was very much a heterosexual but with such an open mind. His quiet strength and his beautiful mind would leave me in awe sometimes. At that time, I could see the inner turmoil he may not even know he battled with. He seemed adrift for a while, not sure what he wanted to do with his life. He was sometimes quiet but always honest, I found that such a refreshing quality in someone so young. He is grown now, still handsome, writing his music, he has made a CD which I am still waiting to hear, and I am sure that which ever road he takes, it will always be the High one.

Monica, my String Bean, is my middle childs friend. She and Vero were partners in crime so to speak. Always together like two peas in a pod; wherever they went. Monica had a mischievious streak in her and very spunky for someone so skinny a strong wind could've blown her over. But always so sweet and affectionate, always ready with a quick smile and a warm hug. I hated that she joined the Navy, but she was so happy about it. We don't get to hear from her too often as she is constantly being moved around, last time we got a call she informed me she was engaged. Grrrrrr....He better be good to her or I'll go a huntin'!

Robin came in with the wind and just as quiet, but so sweet with her sometimes gentle manners. She tried to be the goody, goody but I could tell she was just like Vero, if she had something to say, she would without compulsion! Take no prisoners kind of thing. She is going to be a mommy now, and Vero will be the Godmother. I miss her so much. Her spontaneous laughter and her pretty smile.

Robbie came into my life through my Son. It turns out that he and 'stevie became fast friends when 'stevan defended him against a bully (I wish that bully would see Robbie now). Now these two were trully inseperable! My goodness, you couldn't see one without seeing the other, that's how often they were together, where one went, the other followed, period! Anybody wanting to mess with Robbie would always have to be willing to take on Estevan and vice versa. Robbie learned to take care of himself. They have both grown up so much. I have to keep saying they because they are so much alike in so many ways. I still feel terrible that I had to move to Florida. I could still see the tears in his eyes and hear Robbie's plea in his question "Do you have to move away?" If I had only known then what I know now Robbie, I would NEVER have moved to Florida. Estevan misses you too. And so do I. If you can't make it here this summer, he will see you there, I will make sure of this again.

Virgil, Lorenzio, Marciece, Monica, Robin, Robbie... All grown, all beautiful people, all children of my heart.