"Mi Abuelitas"

Susana Medina

I gasped for air while coming into this world with almond shaped eyes
and a Puerto Rican soul.
My mother's slim and magnolia scented arms cradled my five-pound package.
Stretching them forward- she extends her new baby girl for others to adore.

Susana Aida Medina
Susana means lily
According to the baby dictionary but the real definition is in Susana Quinones, my father's mother
She defines a strong woman because she raised 3 boys on her own as if she didn't have a husband- only a man to sleep by her side.

Her heart belongs to her dark- skinned father whose long days under the scorching sun consisted of riding the horse, mending the cattle, fishing, and cutting sugar cane.
He would arrive home and embrace her with his tired hands, clenching his knees when bending down to speak to her.
Susana's beauty was blessed mainly from her well-built father.

With her thick morena accent, she shares stories about her childhood that scare us into being grateful, but her kisses are soft, as if I were still a baby.
Happiness flutters through her eyes when introducing me,
"Mi unica neta"-My only granddaughter
The only granddaughter out of 10 grandchildren

She refuses to let go of her tightly clenched roots,
Stretching all the way to Guanica, Puerto Rico
Salsa music has become the rhythm in her heart, in her steps.
I dream of being as strong and captivating as her
Captivating when I dance
She sways as if she's in Heaven

I don't know her well, but I simply love her more

Susana Aida Medina
Aida means helper
According to the baby dictionary but the real definition is in Aida Cajiga, my mother's mother.
She is a light-skinned Puerto Rican sometimes mistaken for being European.
Aida defines unconditional love- never does she turn down a single soul.
She cooks her children's favorite dishes any given day; grill cheese for one, and everything else for the other two.
She gives her neighbors vegetables that she grows in her backyard.
She makes homemade cornbeef, fish and meat patelles for her family and gives them in bulk.
A huge fragrance of masa and plantain leaves fills the kitchen.

A silly lady- full of laughter.
She immediately calls my grandfather a sissy when he complains about his stomach pain.
In some ways her personality is what I secretly posses, confessing that I have spent most of my childhood nights in her arms.

She doesn't desire to go back to Aguada, Puerto Rico
The comfort of her home holds her back from appreciating her homeland.
But her love is vibrant enough to heat her surroundings, as if she just stepped onto Puerto Rican soil

I don't love her more- I simply know her well

My name cannot be found in the baby dictionary
It cannot be duplicated
For this is me:
Two proud, strong, elegant, spirited and rich women in one
Susana Aida Medina