‘A Dedication to Masterpieces’

We all start out in this world as a blank canvas.

Some are sheltered from spilled paint,

others are not as lucky.

But there is always beauty in every creation,

no matter how many spills or cross outs there may be.

In the end, everyone will become their own masterpiece.

Unas obras de arte.

To me, the most outstanding creation is a woman.

Not just any woman, but a Latina.

She is always bold.

Not because of her high cheek bones,

Wide hips, glowing olive skin,

or any other feature she may possess.

It is much more abstract than that.

The roots of her descent are what make her bold.

Within her she carries the fruitfulness

of her ancestors,

who provided for their families.

The strength of her ancestors,

who marched to the beat of their own drum

and took charge of what was rightfully theirs,

and the poise of the women before her,

walking with their heads held high and

all of the confidence in the world.

A culture has been created, and has established that

it is capable of anything.

Latina women have the power to do it all,

whether it be gaining an education,

maintaining a career, raising a family, or all simultaneously.

There is a light within these women that shines

No matter what the occasion may be.

Even in the darkest moments of life,

they remain radiant, not only for themselves but for others.

With hearts always open, they can instantly become

your tía, mamá, abuela, or hermana because

of their nurturing nature. But do not mistake

this openness for warmth as weakness, it

takes more strength to feel than it does not to.

The heart of a Latina is just a strong as her mind;

It cannot be fooled.

Fast forward hundreds of years later.

These women continue to hold these values every day.

They take their blank canvas and paint a portrait

so uncommon, not even Leonardo da Vinci himself would have

been able to fathom the idea. On the blank slate forms

a new mind set for Latinas of the future based on

women of the past.

La casa. The place where it all begins; where the sketches are

drawn before anything else. Here, a Latina practices her roots,

learning the ins and out of making not only her family, but herself

proud. She is surrounded by love, warm smells, smooth rhythms,

and personalities as fierce as tigers.

La familia. Also known as the colors that help to

fill the sketches already drawn. These are the individuals

from which she learns about her roots.

She learns of the people in which she comes from

along with details of the struggles they have faced.

She discovers that the world will see her as a minority,

but that it is also the duty of a Latina to see past this.

Do not worry about those who in surrounding areas,

She shall become in tune with her knowledge and

persevere to be better than herself.

In a perfect world, we would say that the canvas has been painted

and finished, but it must be reconstructed and innovated before

completion.

Latinas have the final duty of living. Life must have a purpose, but

she must give others a purpose as well. Strengthen the next

generation of young Latina women,

show them the beauty they behold—inside and out,

tell them the history of their ancestors, but most importantly,

a strong Latina must allow others to feel the same inner light that she

has been allowed to feel over time. This is the final masterpiece.

We all start out in this world as a blank canvas.

Some are sheltered from spilled paint,

Others are not as lucky.

But there is always beauty in every creation,

no matter how many spills or cross outs there may be. In the end,

everyone will become their own masterpiece.

By Xena M. Almonte

Copyright © 2023 Rochester Catholic Press Association, Inc. All rights reserved. Linking is encouraged, but republishing or redistributing, including by framing or similar means, without the publisher's prior written permission is prohibited.

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