La Vida Colorida

She lived such a colorful life. I didn’t see it all first hand but the stories she would tell were full of adventure, humor and excitement. From singing at restaurants in Mexico, owning a bar in California and even a cab driver in Arizona, there was never a dull moment. When I see the Scarlet Macaw, I think of her. Just like the Macaw she was sociable and loud, love you Abuela! She has been gone for years now but she, and her language, were as colorful as the bird. Beautiful, graceful, smart and sassy, just like the Scarlet Macaw, she is my grandmother. Once someone is gone from this earth, they continue to live in us through memories. My grandmother was a fierce and beautiful light in the world eerily similar to this magnificent bird. I like to think that all the sassy Latina grandmothers come back as Scarlet Macaws. The colorful feathers are a reflection of their colorful lives, Vida Colorida. They are admired by many for their intelligence and beauty. They are elegant but will defend their families. Macaws, unlike other birds, will stay with their mate and together they will take care of the hatchlings. My grandmother had her own hatchlings, my mother being the eldest helped to take care of the younger ones while the parents worked. My grandmother was a master at any job she had but she would get bored and move on to something else. Incredibly intelligent and loved learning new things, like the Macaw, she never stayed in the same place for too long. Life is to be lived and enjoyed, she would say. She loved playing cards and any game really, where money was on the line. She lived dangerously and risky some might say, but it was calculated risks and she always came out on top. She showed my mother and other women in the family what it meant to be a strong, determined wife and mother while keeping her feminine elegance all the while. Like a scarlet macaw preening itself, Abuelita always had her hair, nails and makeup done. Grandmother always dressed to impress regardless of where she was going that day, or even if only to stay at home. She made sure that the house was tidy and clean, that the children were dressed and always doing their best, as expectations were a huge part of her successful mindset. Grandmother always knew her worth and expected fair compensation for work and services, just as a macaw learning new tricks would expect a reward each time something new is mastered. It is a marvelous thought to think all the Macaws are someone’s beloved grandmother, bold and full of spirit, flying over us to watch us and take care of the land. However, Macaws are endangered due to the declining rainforest and because of their brilliant colors and looks, they are being poached. We should protect and honor the birds and the land the way our grandmother’s protected and honored our families. I pray that I have made my grandmother proud, she certainly wasn’t afraid to tell you otherwise if you didn’t, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way. The Macaw is a reminder to me to keep living life to the fullest, to be bold and bright, don’t fall into being like everyone else. A reminder to be an individual and don’t compare yourself to anyone else. All of the birds are unique and fascinating in their own ways. Fly freely everyday and make the most of your colorful time here on this beautiful earth.