The Best Born Day Gift

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Abstract

impler, more fulfilled life — one that wasn’t based on dollar signs and <i>things</i>!</p><p id="a9cf">So for my last year’s trip around the sun, we headed to the botanical garden, but since it was late in the afternoon, we had to take a quick visit.</p><p id="c595">We passed countless trees, rock formations, and brooks. Surrounded by all things green made my heart smile.</p><figure id="839c"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*u5TiMgfQ6-jPuiiKrAYKxw.jpeg"><figcaption>Author’s selfie near</figcaption></figure><p id="748b">At one point, we noticed it was near closing time and there was no one else around. We made our way to the entrance area (which they had closed), so had to find a worker to let us out.</p><p id="a7d7">While I no longer have many of the pictures I took that day, the memories remain. Walking the paths reminded me of my journey. Being in that place, in the wonder of Mother Nature on the day I came to this world was in itself a gift.</p><p id="2637">Feeling the grass tickling my toes as my bare feet touched the earth beneath them was wondrous. My ancestors likely traversed those very paths — I cannot imagine what life was like for them those decades and centuries ago.<

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/p><p id="6500">I know they could feel my presence…as my soul filled with gratitude for them and for those impacting my road here. Returning to this ancestral motherland I am continuously reminded that material things are insignificant.</p><p id="6b18">The best birthday gifts are the ones with zero dollar signs, yet the most valuable. Having returned to <b><i>Borikén</i></b> is the most precious gift.</p><p id="b06e">I am home. 🧡</p><p id="8835">In gratitude to <a href="undefined">Neera Handa Dr</a> for her piece on the choices we take. It reminded me that the path I chose (opting to avoid another route) has brought me to where I am today.</p><p id="326c">Catch it below:</p><div id="39ad" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/the-roads-not-taken-cc58066017be"> <div> <div> <h2>The roads not taken!</h2> <div><h3>a poem-</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*HQ91KYoNFmW0WbHuDkgUGA.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div></article></body>

Because being in nature makes my heart smile.

Author at Jardín Botánico y Cultural de Caguas (taken by Samuel Lind)

“What would you like to do for your cumpleaños?” Samuel asked.

“Let’s go to el Jardín de Caguas,” I suggested, excited about the chance to finally make it to the Garden and Cultural Center in one of Borikén’s most famed mountainous regions.

Driving nearly 50 minutes south, we left the vibrant coastal town of Loíza to celebrate life on my special day. It was a big deal because it was only the second time I’d spent my born day on this beloved archipelago. And it was the first time since I had moved back home.

The thing is, back in the day, I used to want material things to commemorate the 2nd of November. I wanted fancy dinners or expensive international trips — or both.

But these past several years, and especially since leaving corporate life behind in December 2019, I’d begun to reflect on a simpler, more fulfilled life — one that wasn’t based on dollar signs and things!

So for my last year’s trip around the sun, we headed to the botanical garden, but since it was late in the afternoon, we had to take a quick visit.

We passed countless trees, rock formations, and brooks. Surrounded by all things green made my heart smile.

Author’s selfie near

At one point, we noticed it was near closing time and there was no one else around. We made our way to the entrance area (which they had closed), so had to find a worker to let us out.

While I no longer have many of the pictures I took that day, the memories remain. Walking the paths reminded me of my journey. Being in that place, in the wonder of Mother Nature on the day I came to this world was in itself a gift.

Feeling the grass tickling my toes as my bare feet touched the earth beneath them was wondrous. My ancestors likely traversed those very paths — I cannot imagine what life was like for them those decades and centuries ago.

I know they could feel my presence…as my soul filled with gratitude for them and for those impacting my road here. Returning to this ancestral motherland I am continuously reminded that material things are insignificant.

The best birthday gifts are the ones with zero dollar signs, yet the most valuable. Having returned to Borikén is the most precious gift.

I am home. 🧡

In gratitude to Neera Handa Dr for her piece on the choices we take. It reminded me that the path I chose (opting to avoid another route) has brought me to where I am today.

Catch it below: