cuentos.

Unlived to Lived Dreams: Reunited At Last

Querida Crystal, 

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your authentic light and resilient energy was felt within twenty minutes of our meeting - a meeting done across countries and through digital screens as well! we instantly bonded over our mutual and familial-like connections we shared at IRIS. it was as if I had just bumped into you across the globe and we soon realized that we had the same relatives. beyond these lovely epiphanies, I felt an instant and intuitive click with how our conversations naturally flowed and connected emotions surfaced between our synchronized laughs and supportive words. when you especially shared your subconscious dreams as a reflection of a significant part in your journey of settling in the United States, I quickly felt the inspo of your supermama powers even more. your courage to act on your intuitive, motherly instincts and leap into the unknown as a mother to so much amor en este mundo, will forever resonate as a story of immense strength. i hope you keep speaking out your dreams into a manifested reality for both you and all your loved ones.♥ 

con mucho paz, amor y agradecimiento, 

Raquelita

A Fight to Reunite on the Land He Was Born Upon

Querido Yazan,

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i'm grateful to have met your high spirits and optimistic outlook in person before piecing together the written version of tu historia... la historia de toda tu familia. when I reflect back on shared moments at IRIS together ~ whether it was through my camera lens, ridiculous video-making sessions with Zeenie, or through computer screens across continents via Zoom ~ I could always sense the strong faith of your mother radiating through your words and actions. to be writing this lil' note a year and a half after you initially shared el cuento de tus seres queridos and you still carry forward the same level of hopeful enthusiasm towards reuniting sooner than later... truly demonstrates just how much of a passionate "fighter" you are. it's empowering proof of just how much fuerza y poder can add up from the daily habits; in your case, el ritual de compartir oraciones con tu mamá. with each passing day (and even year, by now!) we'll both be looking forward to the delight when you'll reunite with your familia.♥ keep radiating those prayers through and through again!

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con mucho paz, amor y agradecimiento, 

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Raquelita​​

As She Feels Her Hijab in the Breeze

Querida Reema,

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girllll, you have come leaps and bounds since the first time I met you about 5-6 years ago (in 2019). I recall going to pick up your auntie for a tutoring sesh, an IRIS event, or just a little coffee catch-up, and I’d always see staying en casa al principio… you increasingly came out to my car to exchange a few more words and hugs over time. it wasn’t too long before you started to join us on our adventures in and around New Haven though, y con cada nueva aventura, you opened up more about your passions for photography, writing, social justice, and the love for your own family’s Muslim culture. you increasingly broke free from your tiny cocoon evermore quickly alongside your auntie, in our meet-ups, and in general, throughout your high school career to the soaring mariposa that you are in your second year of uni today. writing this piece on just a smidgen of your cocoon-butterfly cuento was an absolute honor, and even more so, seeing you continuously take flight as an incredibly courageous and expressive, young hijabi woman (sister, student, niece, and friend!). ♥ keep letting those magical and unbreakable wings of yours touch cada de tus mayores pasiones, as you see where you move amongst the breeze next! 

con mucho paz, amor y agradecimiento, 

Raquelita

This Being Human is a Guest House

Querido Mo, 

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to connect with both you and your loved ones during your guys’ first months of reunion, resettlement, and reconnection was incredibly memorable for me - for all of us. from one of our first meetings being the first time you met your immediate family after three years to our creative, English classes as a whole family in your new, shared home, and then to fun photoshoots on the New Milford Town Green, we share quite a few special memories together. that fleeting month and half of connecting in person felt much longer and all the more worthwhile when I reflect back on it as I was so fortunate to not only listen to your stories, but also be warmly interwoven into them. much more than the simple exchange of past momentitos, we exchanged favorite books, cultural dishes, friends & family members, and even some English-Farsi translations. the simple act of exchanging these little cositas de la vida with you and your family felt as though the story was writing itself. you are un cuento that I’ll forever cherish and continuously look forward to add chapters to as we remain connected across continents (especially as my aunt tells me of the times shared working with your siblings now!) as Rumi once said and I hope to continuously feel in the exchanges with you and your family members, “not the ones speaking the same language but the ones sharing the same feeling understand each other.” ♥

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con mucho paz, amor y agradecimiento, 

Raquelita

Advocacy, Ancestry, & Ayiti

Querida Imani,

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your bold and beautiful expression of both your past lineage and present passions always lit up our conversations. whether you were sharing Ayiti knowledge and stories in one of our Zoom calls or adding to our similar interests in our many audio messages (across countries and even states!), your words consistently carried an energy that could move mountains. simply listening to your enthusiasm and drive would always propel my own energy forward towards learning more about oppressed voices and ways in which I could get more involved. you are both a thought and energy leader for the better justice of generations to come. especially for us “last millennials” and beyond… I have a strong gut feeling that your momentum will resiliently rupture outdated systems of oppression. (even publishing this brief piece felt like quite the leap in your momentum of shifting such systems!) whether it be through more energized voice message exchanges, coffee catch-ups in person, or finally in our own “Last Millennials” podcast someday, I look forward to listening to all the systemic shifts and barrier breaks that you’ll continuously create and inspire within your communities, in the future. i know that you don’t just look at the mountains, you certainly move em’. ♥​

con mucho paz, amor y agradecimiento, 

Raquelita