Leslie Martinez

I’m 46 today. These past few days have been tremendous. All these aha moments rushing in. The Latinx Storytellers Conference capturing my heart. My big takeaway is that no one should be reduced to a bucket, a thing, one identity. I finally felt at home and like I belong in that magical conference. It was like a portal. The words of Jaquira Diaz blowing me away about the American dream not really existing. The words of Alejandra Campoverdi talking about legacies and over achieving, being the bridge. This is the year that I stop chasing after this and that. I’m going to do what I want! This will be the year that I read in Spanish and devote myself to strengthen that muscle. This is will be the year that I don’t forget to live. That song, Me Olvide de Vivir is haunting me. It’s been that theme of my life. This year will be different. This year I will write.