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Daniela Alarcon

Professor Shahrazad Encinias

CAS 115

21 November 2023

Querida Guatemala…

It's been four years since I left you behind. Four years in which I've yearned to be with

you again. Four years in which, every day, I remember something you gave me but I didn't

appreciate. Guatemala, I wish the feelings I felt when I lived with you would accompany me

wherever I go. But the reality is that I can't do that, because you are unique, you are

irreplaceable.

Guatemala, you saw my grandparents, my parents and me grow up. You were the one

who knew me the most. You saw me being born and growing up. You saw me making mistakes

and learning from them. And you are the one who gave me the happiest moments of my life, as

well as the saddest ones. Even though there are many things about you I would like to change, I

also somehow want them to remain intact. Because that's who you are. You are like the clouds in

the sky that are not perfect, but they make the sky a beautiful place. That's how I remember you

and how you're kept safe in my heart.

Thanks to you it's that I can call myself Latina and Guatemalan. Thanks to you it's that I

had the best childhood in the world. But it was also because of you that we migrated. I know I

can't take away the cruelty of this world, but if I could, I would take it away from you so I could

come back to you.

Guatemala, even though I love you I can't help but hate you too. Hate you because you

made me separate myself from my family. Hate you because you were the one who created a
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perfect world for me and then took it away. But despite all… I forgive you, because I love you.

And because despite everything, thanks to you I was able to have a better future.

Thanks to you I was able to come to this country full of opportunities for someone like

me. Thanks to you I was able to experiment with my passions. Thanks to you, my family can

have a better life. It was thanks to all the values you taught us so we could have a good life.

Sometimes I wonder if you miss me as much as I miss you. I wonder if you miss me

playing in your fields and watching me grow up. I can't help but think of myself as your daughter

and you as my mother, mi madre Tierra. You are the one who has given me the most gifts

throughout my life and you are the one who has given me the most love.

Despite everything, I will continue to think of our separation as a temporary fight. And I

know that time will help us heal. But while that time comes I will always hope that we meet

again someday. While that time comes I will miss you endlessly.
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