Revisiting memories

This year, I had the privilege of visiting my home in Guanajuato with my partner. It was their first time visiting this state and meeting my family in Mexico. Leading up to the trip, a lot was happening, and my mind was flooded with thoughts about privilege, immigration, and my connections with my immediate family. Then, I was in a minor car accident that sent me into a spiral of emotions. It reminded me of a major car accident I was in years ago, which resulted in a lawsuit and a long stressful period. This recent accident wasn’t as severe, but it brought back memories I had buried and lingered in my thoughts as I prepared for the trip. Even so, I did my best to work through those emotions and not let them overshadow my excitement of traveling.

My family was incredibly welcoming to my partner, and our goal of visiting all the tourist spots they hadn’t seen before was a success. On our first night there, my dad hired a small mariachi band to play for us at home. It was such a sweet and classic gesture from him that I absolutely loved. One of my favorite memories was spending a day with just my brother and my partner, which gave us the chance to reconnect and get to know each other better as the people we’re becoming. He’s the coolest guy I know, and while I wish we’d been able to build a closer bond over the years, I’m incredibly grateful he trusted me enough to suggest getting matching tattoos together (though, to be fair, my parents weren’t exactly thrilled when they saw them). I already miss him so much, but the tattoo serves as a comforting reminder that we’re closer.

One of the moments I’m most thankful for during the trip was an intimate conversation with my mom. In a previous blog, I wondered what it might have been like to have my parents around during my teenage years and how I often felt the need to hide my opinions and beliefs from them. Many of those feelings resurfaced on this trip, likely because I don’t think they fully know me as the person I’ve become. It feels as though I’m still frozen in time as the 12-year-old they remember, with only sporadic opportunities to reconnect since then. However, during this heartfelt conversation, I felt truly listened to, and I think we both came away with a deeper understanding of each other. For the first time, I felt she saw me as an adult with my own thoughts and convictions, capable of making the best decisions for myself. I wish I could have had a similar conversation with my dad, but I guess the timing just wasn’t right.

Another highlight of the trip was attending a linocut and stamping workshop. After conversing with an engraving artist in a gallery and shop in Guanajuato City called El Pinche Grabador my partner and I were invited. The workshop was held at a rooftop bar called La Casa de los Espíritus, overlooking a museum and the streets of Guanajuato. The city at night felt timeless with its mountains and valleys in the distance under a crescent moon. During the workshop, one of the organizers shared their mission to make art more accessible. Guanajuato has many museums, and I assumed its residents visited them often. However, based on conversations and surveys, many locals described visiting an art museum as something daunting, something they wouldn’t understand or feel they had time for. Their workshops aim to show that art doesn’t need to be confined to museums. Art can exist in something as simple as a stamp. They’ve been running these workshops for some time now under the name Grabadrink and plan to continue. I deeply admire their artistry and dedication to bringing art to the community in such an accessible and meaningful way.

This trip was incredibly meaningful for me. It allowed me to reflect on the privilege of traveling and visiting so many incredible places, as well as embrace how proud I am of my background and the cherished memories of my childhood home. It also made me think deeply about my relationships with my parents and siblings. I feel profoundly grateful to have introduced my partner to my family and to have shared moments of connection that brought me closer to my mom and brother. This trip left me with a lasting sense of contentment and gratitude.