we are not a rich people (yet).
i mean, like the rockefellers, the lauders, the gallos.
like there's no trust fund or some large inheritance.
but i went to take a shower in this bathroom in my parent's room in our old family home.
it felt... noble. it felt... dignified. it felt... fancy.
even with the dust bunnies in the corners.
the sensitive shower temperature that will change without being summoned.
and when i stepped out, i took a good look at my body on the wall sized closet door mirrors.
the way my body curves.
the stretch marks.
the way it tones up.
the way it tones down.
the color of my pigment in the light.
the redness of my eyes after a good cleaning.
where the weight of me gathers.
the shape of my feet.
the structure of my hands.
the broad of my shoulders and the filling under my skin.
and its funny cause i see these same forms in my cousins and my aunts and my uncles.
my nieces. my nephews.
in my brothers.
my daughter.
and in our speech. and in our laughter. or the way our emotion comes up.
the way we're angered. the way we mourn when we tell stories of grandma. the way we sing. the way we play.
the reflection in this mirror in this room in this house.
i look in this mirror and i see my tribe.
this weight that hugs these bones...
for the first time in a long time i look at my body and i feel:
beautiful.
i feel: rich.
we inherit each other.
grandma left for us the most sought after treasure of them all.
family.
a real, true
family.
feel free to share.
if you love your family.
if when you look in the mirror
you see what i see.
the color and the shape and the love
the faults and the scars
the choices and the journey
the blood and the character
of your tribe.
rest in peace grandma-ma.
give a squeeze to grandpa for us.
thank you for existing.
7 children.
20 grandchildren.
21 great grand children.
2 great great grand children.
20 grandchildren.
21 great grand children.
2 great great grand children.
