Today is Tia Tina's 50th anniversary of arriving in the US. Like me, she began life elsewhere, another baby in a distant land who left behind her familiar foundation of culture, climate, light and language for a new world. Fierce little immigrant that she was, Tina mourned her mother tongue with a vow of silence. Only when she was good and ready would she speak. She didn't talk for years! I'm glad she finally did, because she has a lot of smart things to say. plus, she has a really sweet voice. I can't imagine a better guide for my own immigration journey.
We met in Guatemala City, during my high top-knot period...
Oct.24, 2007, the day I left the orphanage forever
She's bottled and bathed me:
Made silly baby-faces with me
When I became a US citizen in Houston, Tina was there. And when we finally got home to Sodenland, Tina installed my car-seat in the Bumble (good thing, too... not in a million years could Mama figure it out)
We've shared viruses and plane-rides, long walks and afternoon tea:
Today, we celebrated Tina's immigration anniversary together:
the immigrants, looking dapperHappy 50th, Tia Tina. I love you!
xoxox
xela
1 comment:
Xela my dear, I can't wait for you to get old enough to look through these wonderful blog posts with me. Your Mama is so creative taking pictures and dreaming up all these titles and captions. Look how you've already grown since October when we first met. And you've gone from top-knot to long silky bangs.
I feel so fortunate to be living my life in the US, and now to be your lucky Tia Tina. Some day I hope we'll take our little immigrant selves to visit each other's native lands, Germany and Guatemala. But mostly I hope some day when you're my age (52!) and I'm long gone, you'll have reason to feel as happy about the country you grew up in as I have. We're lucky girls, honey.
I love you Xela, and your wonderful Mama, Pam, too.
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