Giselle Bonilla
Bio
I am Afro-Latina woman and my family is originally from Haiti and the Dominican Republic. My culture plays a huge part of my identity, I grew up in a household where family, food, spirituality, and nature is very important.
Stories (3)
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Querida Madre,
Mami, I see you. I see you in me. You are so powerful, and strong that I am convinced that you are a goddess. You raised three girls on your own, and you have done a magnificent job, because look at us, we are Queens. I saw how you made sure that we had everything that we needed while growing up from clothes, food, and love. We were so spoiled, but you made sure to humble us. You worked double shifts, and long nights to make sure that you were able to provide for us and be able to take us to our homeland (Dominican Republic) every summer after school ended. Toward the end of our trips you would have my sisters and I go through our clothes in our luggage and gift half of them to our family and friends in the Dominican Republic. It didn't matter how much we had spent on the clothes or if it was our favorite, we gave it away. As time went on it was something I did without thinking twice about it. At a young age I came to realize where I was privileged compare to my friends and family in the Dominican Republic, and the beauty of giving. I give with intent, and you gift yourself so much more when you're not attached. You taught us what it really means to give.
By Giselle Bonilla5 years ago in Families
From a Cocoon to a Butterfly
I recently started working on a new project during my free time that focuses on creating art, while also incorporating plants, and flowers (dried up and using scissors). I am working on creating an art gallery, showing my healing journey as a survivor of abuse. Creating these pieces have been very therapeutic, and it makes me feel happy. As an adult I feel much more comfortable sharing my story, because I have been able to process, learn how to self-regulate, and start healing from those traumatic experiences. It has made it much easier for me to move through this world. I have not fully healed from those traumatic experiences but I have confronted them and I am at a point where I share my story. I know that I have a voice and my story deserves to be heard.
By Giselle Bonilla5 years ago in Psyche
