Every Sunday during my childhood until I turned 15, we had lunch at my paternal grandmother’s house, Abuela Rika. It was an obligation disguised as a tradition, and I enjoyed it. My grandmother was a great cook, and I usually got to choose the meal. Everyone in the family attended these lunches—all the aunts and uncles. Being the oldest grandchild living in Bogotá, I was the only child present for four years. We would all sit around a long, sturdy rectangular table made in Louis XVI style, topped with glass and covered by a beautiful embroidered tablecloth that we had to keep spotless—even when blackberry juice was the drink of the day. There was no separate table for adults and children, even when my siblings and cousins eventually joined these gatherings. I don’t recall what was discussed at the table; after the meal, we all took a siesta. Another great tradition. On one particular Sunday, when I was about 5 or 6, we were sitting in the living room after the siesta—all except my dad, who was still asleep in one of the rooms. I still remember where everyone was seated when he walked out, looking dapper and ready to go out.
Read MoreOn an unusually sunny day in 1992 in Bogotá, Colombia, a city in the Andes Mountains where rain is more common than sunshine, I asked a question that triggered the beginning of the end of the life I was living. That morning, the sky was blue, and the temperature was around 70 degrees Fahrenheit—rare conditions in my birth city.
Read MoreIt was after my divorce from my son’s father that the belief began to take root—the idea that marriage was the greatest blessing God could bestow upon a person. This belief started to influence my decisions, my relationships, and ultimately, my sense of self-worth. Looking back now, I see how this mindset formed and how it kept me trapped for years, compelling me to measure my value by what I lacked rather than embracing and celebrating the fullness of who I already was.
Read MoreAt the age of 57, I embarked on a life-changing adventure as a digital nomad, traveling for 20 months across 12 countries and 70 cities. I spent 99% of that time on my own, navigating the world one step at a time. While this may sound bold and inspiring, my solo lifestyle didn’t begin with a passport and a packed suitcase—it started much earlier, with an act that may seem small but was profoundly transformative: taking myself to the movies alone.
Read MoreReflecting on the cities that made me who I am today has helped prepare me for all the unknowns that lie ahead.
I am currently on a whirlwind adventure of experiencing life without a home to my name, and instead, two suitcases and many loved ones’ homes to share across the U.S. I never imagined that I would be on the journey at 57, but the universe has a way of putting necessary opportunities for growth in your path.
Here’s to the path behind us, the path that grew us and the road beyond.
Read MoreIt’s part of my identity that I am Colombian, it’s part of my identity that I am a woman, it’s part of my identity that I am an entrepreneur, a film fanatic, a single mother, and on and on we go with all the pieces of me I identify with.
Let’s go over the five top insights for you to read, mull over and question about celebrating, acknowledging or not even caring about Hispanic Heritage Month—especially if you’re not “Hispanic.”
Read MoreMarcela Gómez, kickass CEO and female entrepreneur, takes you on a journey to discover who you really are with 5 challenging questions and what that means for you.
Read MoreWhile most folks want to shun the notion of speaking openly about matters that have historically been taboo, I don’t want to keep repeating that mistake.
So here is my Menopause Manifesto where I hope to shed some light (not my uterus lining) on the life-changing event for anyone who’s gone through most of the years of their lives bleeding out every month. This isn’t just for them, though, as I believe it’s crucial for everyone to gain some sliver of knowledge on menopause in order to talk openly about it and provide what can be life-saving education for many.
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