Mexico, the land of my ancestors

In returning to the land that cared for me in my youth, I’ve learned that change is the only constant. The land, along with my community, evolves- she changes, transforms, and metamorphosizes. Life is not stagnant, but imbued with dynamic movement. We grow and extend like the twisting vine reaching for the sky, and we plant our history deep into the earth, a root from where life springs. In the rain showers of the season, I hear the call of the past as it reminds us of the presence of water long before this storm. And I taste the future we may have, if we only allow ourselves to return the call of the earth.

“As we work to heal the earth, the earth heals us.” 

In my youth, I was unaware that nature was the core of my heart. Back then, she followed me everywhere, from the mango trees that once grew in my great-grandmother’s backyard to the little garden my mother maintains today. A steady presence, I came to take for granted the gifts of the natural world. In reading Kimmerer’s Braiding Sweetgrass, I came to realize that nature had not just been present in my life, but that she’d been calling and guiding me to listen to her- to truly know her. In learning to listen to the land, I’ve learned to listen to my heart. In our visit to Cuetzalan, Puebla, our group was guided and taught by maseual community member Tacho. He walked us through the forest of his hometown of San Miguel Tzinacapan, and we learned along the way of the deep and sacred relationship between the forest and his people. Listening to Tacho helped me envision a future where we learn to return the love and care given to us, taking part in a reciprocal relationship.

"It’s easy to feel hopeless as we witness the hurt and injustice around us."

At times, I’ve felt powerless as an educator, wondering how to best support my students through these moments. And yet, in my work as a teacher and mentor, my students continuously remind me of the power of hope and resilience. This summer, my work with the youth at Vía Educación has deeply impacted my life. As we explored themes of social justice, their insights, courage, and dreams for a better future inspired me every day. Watching them grow into leaders and changemakers within their communities has been one of the greatest gifts. Learning happens both ways, and I’m grateful that my students continue to teach me what it means to be in community, to lead with empathy, and to choose hope even when the path forward feels uncertain. They remind me that change begins with listening, showing up for one another, and believing that a more just future is possible.