It's July!!! Happy Birthday to Us

FUN FACT

Did you know that a woman can carry three generations within her? Imagine this: you were in your mother’s womb, when she was inside your grandmother. It's astonishing to think about the continuity of life and love through generations.

ITS MY BIRTHDAY!

As I celebrate my birthday, I can't help but reflect on the day I was born. Now that I am a mother, I vividly remember the birth of my own child, understanding how monumental that day was for my mother as well. At 18, she defied the odds, giving birth despite being told she could never have children and wouldn’t live past the age of 12. She surpassed all the grim predictions, becoming a mother of three and a grandmother, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire.

THINKING ABOUT MAMA

My mother was an immigrant from Panama who faced many emotional and physical challenges that come with being part of a migrant family. Her resilience and determination to overcome these obstacles only add to the depth of her legacy. She not only created a new life in a foreign land but also built a foundation of strength and love for her family.Sometimes I daydream of what raising my daughter, Aria, would look like if my mom were here. How she would pop up and say, "Go to sleep, I got this." How she would buy random things from Target or Marshall’s I probably don’t need. How she would FaceTime me or ask me to send pictures of the baby walking and babbling. How she would buy multiple outfits for her granddaughter to wear to church and how we would probably compare me as a baby to Aria all day. How Mom would hold Aria, play with her, and smile big with all those teeth she had showing with every smile she gave since I was a child. Not having her as a new mom is gut-wrenching sometimes, but I get a jolt of strength when I am reminded of how privileged I am to be a part of a miracle lineage. I marvel at the fact that Aracely’s third generation is here, and she came through me.

PICTURE WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS

With this post, the one picture that I felt encapsulated my feelings was the beautiful surprise birthday gift my brother had made for me. It captures all these feelings and daydreams in one. He selected a picture of my mother and one of my daughter and had an artist create this beautiful piece of art. It will forever be my visual reminder that her love holds us even in her physical absence.Today, on my birthday, I honor not just my life, but the day my mother gave birth to her first child. She broke statistics and generational curses, raising me to be a powerful leader and a loving individual. Her strength and love shaped me and also touched my daughter, who embodies the impossible made possible.As I celebrate myself, I celebrate you, Mom. You are never forgotten, always in our hearts and minds. Happy birthday to us, and thank you for the gift of life and love.

EMBRACE THE CHALLENGE

I challenge you, dear reader, to think about the legacy you will leave behind. You choose how you want to leave your legacy, whether it be through the birth of a business, a product, an idea, or a mindset. Plant seeds so that you can see the fruits, and that they grow even past your lifetime. Consider how you can bring life and love to those you care about, creating a lasting impact that transcends generations.The seed is already inside you.Love, Gesai