A Navy-Blue Backpack

By Lizbeth Yaneli Padilla

In my navy-blue backpack with two red straps and five compartments I have tossed in: porcelain

dolls, Disney VHS tapes, and books. Tucked away are a baby blue colored jump rope, a pair of

black and white sneakers, and coffee beans. I have thrown in: playing hide and seek in a white t-

shirt on a rainy day on streets full of mud and puddles.

I have rolled up: familiar vibrant colored houses in different sizes in the community of La

Guasima where I was crowned queen of Spring and followed down the streets by kindergarten

classmates, friends, and family, as I gave out candy while sitting on the hood of a white truck.

The screams of excitement, fireworks and loud upbeat music during the festivity for San

Francisco de Asis, warms my heart and makes me feel at home.

I have neatly folded: attending church every Sunday afternoon, with the only excuse of absence

being sickness, no matter where we are, you find a church. Placed on top: Luz, Isidro, Junior and

Lissie with a great and bright smile that we all share. Regardless of the situation, we stick

together forever like glue.

I have gently tossed in: “Anything is possible”, “Patience is key”, and “If you don’t stop crying

right now, I’m going to tell the guy over there to take you.” Covering everything is: generosity,

compassion, leadership, wisdom, caring, trust and honesty, is what brings family together.

Stacked on top is: “Oh so if they jump off a cliff, you’re going to do it too?” and “I’m going to

count to three.”
I have tucked in: “The father, the son, and the Holy spirit.” because this is what I was taught to

believe in from the beginning, however, I also believe that everyone can believe in whatever they

please, and should be respected, nonetheless. Rolled up beside is: respect me and you will be

respected in return.

I have thrown: a town with the sounds of the waves of the ocean at its side and humid air that

makes you feel trapped that runs through Nayaritas that will never leave you alone. I have tossed

everywhere: The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Vampire Diaries, Shameless, Cinderella,

That ‘70s Show and Coke cans, a juicy and fresh watermelon, and spicy Aguachiles.

I have placed on top: leaving a mess all over the bathroom sink while cutting my niece’s hair and

laughing at the terrible outcome of her too short bangs while her father screamed at me but

laughed uncontrollably, along with the dark chocolate smell that she always had on her tiny

small hands and the long thick black eyelashes that fit so perfectly with her big round eyes.

My suitcase has been with me through different countries, different ages, and different

perspectives towards life. I will carry it and it will take me down teaching classrooms filled with

kids eager to learn and others with screams like a wailing newborn baby, visiting Nayarit during

a warm summer with the smell of saltwater and spicy seafood dishes, and buying a house in the

city of Vancouver, WA where snow will cover the driveway during Fall, tall green trees will be

the view as I drive, and a backyard big enough for a playground where my kids will one day

play.