This November, MHT is participating in the Miry’s List Friendsgiving Fundraising Drive. The money goes to programs that support refugee families that have been resettled in the United States. In tandem with these efforts, our clinicians are writing posts reflecting on what home means to them.
“ Aside from loving my Salvadorian heritage, my sense of home was in holding her arms and being guided by her, being reassured by her, and by the way she would so proudly introduce me as her Nieta De Los Estados Unidos to her dearest friends.”
When I was a child (from age 2 to 15), I would travel every summer to Santa Tecla in El Salvador, also known as “El Pulgarcito de Centro America” (The smallest country of Central America), to visit my maternal grandparents and extended family.
Some of my fondest memories of “Mi Pulgita” revolve around going to a local farmers market with my grandmother, Mama Elena. At the market there were various pupuseria stands and local art vendors selling crafts, handmade jewelry, and aromatic soaps. Mama Elena was an elegant woman who never left the home without earrings and lipstick, and she always showed interest in the jewelry stands. As a little foodie, I was enticed by all the delectable snacks. But nothing could compare to the delight we took in holding each other’s hands. My grandmother would smile every time my face would light up after getting my favorite treats and then sharing my gratitude in Spanglish.
I would hold onto her arm as we would walk down the long, uneven, and noisy streets of Mi Pulgarcito — these images have forever imprinted a sense of love, warmth, adventure, being seen, and home. Aside from loving my Salvadorian heritage, my sense of home was in holding her arms and being guided by her, being reassured by her, and by the way she would so proudly introduce me as her Nieta De Los Estados Unidos to her dearest friends.
For me, El Salvador evokes a sense of home and hospitality. During my stays, there was always a neighbor that I had never met before who would stop by with some warm sweet bread, delicious dish, or kind gift. The neighbor would come with open arms as if they had met me before — this feeling of being connected and cared for by a complete stranger was so powerful. I am forever grateful for all those memories of love and acceptance from neighbors, family, and family friends.
Home is where you are seen, cared for, and made to feel special.
HERE'S HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE IN FRIENDSGIVING WITH US:
Give! Visit our Miry’s List campaign page and make a donation. It's that simple and no sum is too small. Truly.
Follow! Be sure to follow us on Instagram and our blog throughout the month of November. We will be reflecting on what it means to be welcomed, received, and known.
Share! Help us spread the word. You can do this by sharing our social media posts or links to our Miry’s List Friendsgiving Fundraiser page.
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A little about Miry’s List:
Refugee families come to the United States seeking a safe haven from violence and persecution in their home countries. They leave behind family and friends, as well as virtually everything they own. Many Americans, seeing these families in their communities, wonder: What can I do to help? Miry's List provides a mechanism for people to directly help new arrival refugee families with the things that they need to get started in their new lives – from diapers to beds to cleaning supplies and toiletries. To learn more, visit miryslist.org.
Maria Elena Marquez, MA, is a bilingual (Spanish-English) Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, IMF #103470, working under the supervision of Gabrielle Taylor, PhD. As an art therapist, Maria is passionate about helping clients unravel complex cultural beliefs and family pressures through the use of expressive arts.