Family, to You

Mi familia is such an important part of my life. In fact, it has been hard for me to be physically away from them while being at Barnard. I have a tendency to stress easily and sometimes, all I need to feel okay is un abrazo de oso rompe costillas. My family will always have a special place in my heart. I feel safe, loved, and cared for when I am around them. Luckily, I live in the city so I am not too too far. But I can feel the emptiness when I am not around them.

By Gabriela Sanchez

I think it’s funny to reflect on 16 year old me. I remember telling my high school and middle school friends how excited I was to apply for college outside of New York City so I could experience freedom in a different way. Yet, here I am trying to take any opportunity I can to head home.

There’s a different kind of cariño that I feel when I am at home. To begin with, apodos are a big deal in my family. Everyone has one. My name is Gabriela and for

some bizarre, yet unique reason, my parents and siblings have come up with a myriad of nicknames for me. This is one of the many talents I would love to inherit when I have a family of my own.

My family provides a safe space for me to express myself however I would like without feeling judged. They allow me to express myself in easier ways because they know who I really am and what my intentions are. Now that the holiday season is around the corner, I am looking forward to seeing my primos, primas, tias, tios y mi abuelita all in the same room. I don’t really get to see my entire family very often, but I treasure the times we do get together. We always have interesting conversations. The last time we reunited was on my little brother’s birthday. That day we had a debate about whether we thought math was invented or discovered. We sat down until midnight trying to come with a definite conclusion but, of course, we had to just call it an even split because we felt passionate and certain about our respective assertions and beliefs.

La familia Sanchez-Torres remains loyal to traditions until this day. My favorite one is Thanksgiving. On that night, we all stand in a circle and say what we are grateful for; it’s a very unique experience to say the least. Some years I get emotional and my voice shakes a little because it’s hard to put into words what I am grateful for. Other years I know exactly what I want to say but when it’s my turn I blank out because there’s just so much in my life that I am grateful for. But, I usually end up saying that I am grateful to celebrate another year of life with my family and friends on this holiday.

Being part of la familia Sanchez-Torres has taught me how to be compassionate, loyal, caring, loving, and so much more. I am so grateful to be part of this family and can’t imagine myself being elsewhere. We always aim to support each other and push each other to be our best selves. I only hope that one day I will be able to provide this same kind of environment for my children in the future.