Word from the Publisher/mensaje de nuestra fundadora Querídos lectores...

Spring is here! I love this season because it allows me to start planning and preparing my garden. I'm an avid gardener taught by my abuelo, Don Juan Martinez.

My grandpa had every fruit tree, a variety of flowers and roses, as well as keeping a very clean and organized yard. Like my grandfather Martinez, I follow the example he instilled in me.

My grandfather Martinez was also my neighbor who lived next door to us. When we were little girls my sisters and I would jump into his yard and eat the cherries, apricots, strawberries, and the grapes from his garden.

I'll never forget the first time I saw those sweet red strawberries growing - it was fascinating! He would often complain to my parents that we needed to let things ripen, but as far as my hermanitas and I were concerned - we were competing with the birds - and they didn't have a chance! LOL!

I would often sit with my grandad on his lawn as he would pick the weeds out of the lush and tidy yard. He took pride in his home and the yard that he maintained. And I took pride hearing his good advice and how he credited God for nature and the beauty of the world around us. In Spanish he would tell me, "Cuídala (Take care of it)", as he referred to nature and Mother Earth.

To my good fortune, one block South of my house lived my maternal grandparents Castro. When I wasn't learning how to grow and tend to a jardin, my grandmother was sharing her knowledge of plants and flowers and their health benefits.

She explained that as a little girl, she and her family went through difficult times and so they relied on Mother Earth for food, and that her father had taught her about foraging. She would tell me the health benefits of plants and would often use them for herbal teas and as natural remedies.

For example, while some see a weed, when they see dandelions, my grandmother saw the health benefits. She used the leaves, roots, and flowers. She taught me so much and, in many ways, I've tried to sustain that knowledge to preserve traditional and natural medicine. I included dandelion flowers on this month's cover to demonstrate how important they are. There are many others, but that flower was also the one I brought her when spring arrived. How I miss her so.

Incidentally, I still have roses from my grandfather Martinez pressed in a book, and I cherish those memories as well.

This is a special time in so many ways. I always look forward to Holy Week. I'm glad many churches can gather and praise our Lord and Savior - Jesus Christ! And while not all my friends are Christian, including not all my readers, it is important for me to share what I value and believe because even though I strive to be objective, I am a follower of Christ Jesus. I strive to emulate Him through my actions... and through this publication.

In this month's issue, we include information about Child Abuse Prevention, Earth Day, Arbor Day, Autism, and so much more!

We extended nominations for the Adelante Awards, which recognize Hispanic men committed to family, community, careers, and making our city a better place - through April 5, 2023. Read more details on this page, or visit www.loshermanosfamilia.org

Don’t forget you can find us on stands, and, online at www.latinolubbock. net also check out our social media pages for up-to-the-minute updates. Y como siempre, Latino Lubbock is committed to our community. Thank you for your support and for reading Latino Lubbock Magazine. We are grateful to be 100,000 readers strong and appreciate our advertisers who help make it possible to keep our publication free.

Till next month, thank you for your support and may God bless you!

¡Gracias por su apoyo! Que dios los bendiga. PEACE and random acts of kindness. Que las bendiciones de dios estén contigo siempre! Happy Easter! ¡Felices Pascuas!

Sinceramente, Christy Martinez-Garcia

Publisher & Latino Market Specialist

"Lubbock News from a Latino Perspective"

Celebrating 17 Years of Commitment to our Community