Welcome 2019! Here’s What I Was Thankful for in 2018
Little did my Dad know that his fashionista daughter would be dressing him in “Ugly Christmas” sweaters!
I am lucky to have them there for me during all of my difficult decision making and to this day when we speak, they never forget to tell me how much they love me and how proud they are of me. And I would have to say the same thing back to them. I am so proud of what they’ve achieved as Latinos with no college background who are self educated when it comes to business, have run their own businesses since they were married, saved enough money to be comfortable in their retirement, and have three children who are all self sufficient and doing well in life.
Celebrating this Christmas Eve with my baby sister and her boyfriend who I am also thankful for! He’s part of the family too.
Then there are my brother and sister with whom I have such a close relationship with. I can’t imagine not having them by my side growing up. We are the only 3 such people who share the same childhood experiences. As a family, we learned to swim, ride bikes, share our Mexican family traditions, go to CCD classes, be punished by the belt or by grounding, be rewarded with 25 cents for being the first to guess a song on Sunday’s top 40 radio countdown, get an allowance for mowing the lawn or doing dishes, run garage sales with my two “business partners”—there are just too many funny things to even mention.
My brother and his husband who is also someone I am thankful for. I couldn’t ask for a better life long partner for my brother.
And as we’ve gotten older and had many challenging things to deal with like my brother coming out in his teenage years, my sister moving to NY and helping her get on her feet, dealing with job changes, minor health concerns, we’ve always been able to talk openly about anything. They are sounding boards for all the things that go on in my life. We make the time to vacation together and see each other regularly.
My cousin who beat breast cancer and her husband, the rock in her life are people I am thankful for. She shows me what the power of positivity can do.
My aunts, uncles, cousins, the friends I have from my childhood, through college, friends from my early days in the fashion industry or old neighborhoods I’ve lived in and companies I’ve worked with, relationships I’ve made through work, people I’ve interviewed for Latin Business Today, new neighbors, co-workers, people I’ve met on Instagram – there are so many people in my life that I’ve built amazing relationships with.
My girlfriends from grade school as well as some other classmates that got together this fall for our 30thannual high school class reunion. Some of the best memories growing up were with these people.
My childhood girlfriends are of course the people I’ve had some of the longest relationships with and we’ve been there for each other’s weddings, children’s births, and just about anything that we want to share with each other. They’ll always be there for me.
Friends from New York whom have become part of my immediate family and I am truly thankful for. Traveling together with them for my brother and his husband’s wedding in Ohio in 2016.
