The Chipotle bag that makes me cry

For a period in my 20s, I saved a Chipotle paper bag. It may have even accompanied me through a move.

Yes, I may sound like a desperate hoarder. 

Honestly, if I found that bag today, I’d probably frame it. 

It wasn’t just any Chipotle bag. 

It had a short essay by the author, Laura Esquivel titled  “Dos minutos de amor permanente”("Two minutes of lasting love”). And every time I’d read it, I’d cry and then breathe a sigh of relief I hadn’t forgotten the Spanish language.

Here’s a bit from the essay (written originally in Spanish)

Sería increíble volver a escucharlos decir “hola hijita”. Hija, esa palabra que desapareció cuando ellos se murieron. Hace tiempo que no soy hija. Soy madre, soy abuela, soy hermana, soy tía, soy prima, soy amiga, pero ya no soy hija y me encantaría recuperar mi título al momento en que ellos me nombraran. Las palabras tienen vida. Memoria. Al escucharlas uno se remite al pasado. Viaja a la casa materna y huele las tortillas saliendo del comal. Escucha las pisadas de su padre volviendo a casa después del trabajo con una bolsa de panes bajo el brazo. Y los sonidos se suceden uno tras otro velozmente y los recuerdos nos llenan de gozo. Me gustaría volver a sentir la mano de mi madre acariciando mi frente como cuando me llevaba a la cama a dormir o reír con las historias que mi papá me narraba por las tardes. Sé que si pudiera abrazarlos nuevamente me sentiría en casa. Me sentiría protegida. Me sentiría amada.

It would be wonderful to hear them say “hello, little daughter” again. Daughter. That word disappeared when they died. I have not been a daughter for a while now. I am a mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, but no longer daughter, and I long for that title coming from their mouths. Words have life, memory, when you hear them you travel to the past. You travel to your mother’s home and smell the tortillas heating on the comal. You listen to your father’s footsteps as he comes home from work with a bag of bread under his arm. The sounds occur one after the other swiftly, and the memories fill you with joy. I would like to feel my mother’s hand caress my forehead like when she put me to bed, or laugh at the stories my dad would tell me in the evening. I know that if I could just hug them one more time, I would feel at home. I would feel protected, loved.

Words have memory. And so do places. And activities. And smells. And sounds. They can transport us. 

And I was thinking about this essay, as I wrapped up last week’s newsletter about going on a bike ride with my dad. 

Equivel’s essay reminds me that one day, these moments I have with loved ones, whether they be friends or family, won’t be quotidian. They won’t be a little blip on the radar of my life. 

They’ll be the moments that I cherish. So, I’m trying to do my best to cherish them more. God willing, my loved ones will be in my life for a long while, in good health. But one day, the only way I’ll go on a bike ride with them will be through my imagination. 

Carpe Diem. Seize the Day. 

And I’ll add, savor it. Savor the love. Savor the bug bites and sticky humid air. Savor the sound of their voice, as they announce your name and “Turning Right.” Savor the opportunity that you can go for a bike ride together. 

And if those love ones aren’t able to accompany you on a bike ride, Laura Esquivel, in her powerful words, invites you play with your imagination and blanket yourself with their love and presence.

Wheels up, 

Ellen