"It's Okay Mijo"

The other week just prior to Mother's Day I went out to eat with my family...  Our server addressed me as "mijo", and instantly I recalled someone who made me feel so loved as a young child.

I recall my Nina comforting me while I was crying, telling me "It's okay mijo" as she carried me in her arms, nurturing my crying soul.  I don't recall why I was crying, but I remember feeling so loved in that moment...  And enveloping warmth around me with my Nina's arms wrapped around me... massaging my back as I cried away the tears...

My memories of early childhood are vague, but there are certain individuals whose presence made me feel loved...  It's an energy of warmth...

My Nina and my Nino... the caretakers I remember most since they regularly babysat me...  I cry tears of appreciation and love when I visit their graves...

My Dad's Mom, my Granda Em...  She was my earliest babysitter before I can even remember...  I don't remember much, but I recall her very gentle spirit...  I remember more of her when I was older, and I was able to visit her in Chicago...  She was a natural rescuer of those in need, adopting stray dogs off the street, making them her own.  I recently found out that when she was in the Philippines she took in people who needed caring for...

My first kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Fisher...  A kind, encouraging, gentle soul...  I don't know what the occasion was, but I remember her giving me a great big hug.  In her presence I felt so comforted, so loved...

My first grade teacher, Miss Fesadent?  I can't recall the spelling... but I remember her being very kind as well...

I am thankful for the presence of these people... For their energy that they exuded...  For the warmth and kindness they shared with the shy little kid that was me.  Though my memories are very vague, I can very much recall the way these individuals made me feel...  Perhaps it's souls like these that make me always believe in humanity...  That within us, there is something greater...