Rebuild Abuelita's Home: A New Beginning

The last thing we ever did at my grandma’s house was ring in my birthday at midnight. Three hours later, this house, once filled with laughter and singing and joy, was gone. Generations of us considered this home base - where we gathered to celebrate birthdays, grieve the loss of loved ones, and everything in between.

This was home every summer growing up. This was where I learned what it meant to always show up for family and to love unconditionally. This was also where my mom’s ashes rested, and where we had built her memorial. It’s gone, now dust indiscernible from the rest of the destruction pictured. Without a doubt, that is the most devastating loss, for everyone but especially for my abuelita.

The coincidence of this happening on my birthday doesn’t feel like a coincidence at all. This dream I had to spend my birthday in Peru this year is one I’ve held since my last birthday. As devastating as this is, I’m grateful I can be here for my abuelita during her time of need. I’m incredibly grateful that everyone is safe and was able to escape the house in time. I’m grateful for the quality time I’ve been able to spend with all my family, and that Baaqir has been able to get to know the people who have shaped me and continue to shape me, even from thousands of miles away. In a way, I’m grateful that the last thing we ever did was celebrate with my birthday in the house that my mom grew up in and will always be remembered in. She was with us in spirit, and we can move forward knowing that she’d want us to let go and look at this as a new beginning.

This new beginning is one I feel compelled to contribute to, especially with so many people reaching out to me for my birthday. I’ve started a gofundme page to raise money for rebuilding a new home for abuelita, and to help my grandma and uncle who lived here start over. Any and all help is appreciated. Thanks in advance for the birthday wishes and support.