Solo el amor es real - a la Señora Guillermina Roxsayna Yakumama

Two months living at La Quebrada del Amor taught me many things, about the simplicity of life, happiness, and love. I´ve come to the conclusion that we Westernized, consumer driven, success-oriented stress freaks from the developed world altogether miss out on what is really important in life. We complicate everything, searching for happiness like its hard to find, like its some mystery to figure out, when its all entirely simple. Many people spend their whole lives slaving for money, influence, and power, thinking that those things will bring them happiness. So much friggin confusion in this world. The only constant in this world that has the power to overcome all is love, solo el amor es real. No one can live without love.

For the Tangoa family, unconditional love is pretty much all they have in this life, and it is all they need. The eleven members of the family accepted me as one of their own. I was the hijita of Mamita, hermana mayor to all the little niños, and there was no differentiation between my race or my background and that of their own.  They taught me that love has no expectations, preconditions, or limits. And at your life´s end, all that will matter is that you have loved and you were loved in return. Such was the case for Mamita Guillermina, the 65 year old abuelita of the family, who passed away on the 19th of May. She left this world while tending to her yukka garden, she left quickly, and her countenance was left with a peaceful smile. Never would I have imagined that life would hand me this experience at this time and place in my life. Mamita was my surrogate mother within the short time I spent at the Quebrada. Sitting by my side, she would eagerly listen to my stories with her affirming, ¨Ahaaaaa¨ and advise me with all her wisdom. She would chuckle as I attempted to learn how to cook over an open fire, overcooking rice and cutting yukka incorrectly. She had the greatest cackling laugh that would show her big toothless smile. The day she passed away, I heard her laughing as if she was by my side many times throughout the day. I find peace in knowing that she is happily dwelling on her chakra, her garden, keeping watch over her family and every child of God that wanders into La Quebrada del Amor.

Her passing reminds me to follow the example of the life that Mamita led, that of love and peace for everyone. Because we all come and we all go so quickly, I want to continuously remind my family and my friends that I love you so much.  Like Mamita, you have taught me what it means to love. I might lose contact with you for a while at this point in my life, but nevertheless, you are all in my thoughts and in my dreams.