On September 16th I made sure to spread the word that it was Mexico’s Independence day. Growing up in Texas, I was used to celebrating Mexico’s Independence day on May 5th which is “Cinco de Mayo”.  I  joined in this tradition, just like my other friends not asking questions. In school you are taught to follow directions. When I was in elementary school, teachers didn’t explain why we had to do things, kids were expected to listen to an authority figure, so as a child you were being thought how to be a follower.

I was going on and on about Mexico’s independence that morning. I had my a little “fiesta” going, I had music playing and was singing as long  as my lungs could take and as loud as my dog could take. (For a while there I thought he was joining in my singing with his howling, but later realized it was a cry for me to stop)

When I stopped abusing my dog, I realized that I was never this passionate about people knowing about Mexico’s culture. Then the true independence day emerged, I fought back tears realizing that it had been a year since I officially became an independent woman. This crazy party for one, was not in Mexico’s honor, I was celebrating me. Damn it! I do LOVE me!

Learning to be me and love myself, was the biggest challenge this past year. I had to discover who the hell I was, which is hard when looking in the mirror seemed like a chore. The few people who told me I couldn’t do it on my own, gave me the drive to keep going forward, and I have no hard feelings, I would actually like to thank them. My kids were and will always be my inspiration to live life, because of them I have no obstacles in my path, just challenges. I like what I see in the mirror.  I see an individual with her own identity and a lot of determination.

“The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.”         ~Ayn Rand

This past year, was a very long emotional roller coaster ride with bumps, turns and nausea. I get off this roller coaster with a light headed, but ready to get in line again. Even though this ride was hell, I would do it all over again… for I had a huge  smile at the end.