NATURE

The Blessings and Colors of My Life

Honoring this land ~ Dancing Elephants prompt #6

We are the seed, we are the soil, We are the water, we are the air, We are the Earth, and She gives us The gift of Life. ~ Dr. Vandana Shiva, Scholar, Environmental Activist, Ecofeminist, and Author

Road trip ~ Arecibo, Borikén

Yuma loves the river. And so do I.

So, wanting to surprise me for my born-day, she (my good friend and co-founder of our community initiative, Yoga Tambó), decided we’d take a road trip. Just us two.

It didn’t matter that my special day was over a week ago. Yuma insisted we share time together bonding, with nature, with ourselves, and with each other. She wanted to share with me the colors of her life. She intended to remind me of the colors of my own — and of this sacred ancestral land we both call home.

The Plan

Drive an hour and a half west from the northeastern town of Loíza (where I live) to the coastal gem of Arecibo. There we would find Charco Hondo, La Planta, an area of Río Tanamá (río is the word for ‘river’ in Spanish). CallejeandoPR, an interactive portal focused on responsible tourism in Puerto Rico, offers insight into Charco Hondo’s history:

Built in 1923, the hydroelectric plant was constructed to provide electricity to the town of Arecibo. These days it is no longer in use and now remains one of the municipality’s beloved attractions. Its natural pools and waterfalls frame the backdrop of nature’s calming beauty.

Arriving just before midday, we were thrilled to learn we had the place all to ourselves. Walking along the bank, we noticed the river’s currents were quite strong. This was no surprise as Hurricane Fiona had made landfall on our beloved archipelago in mid-September. Not only that, several days prior to our arrival in Arecibo, there had been plenty of rain across the main island (of Puerto Rico).

Because of this, not only were the currents intense, but the water levels had risen. It was safer to remain near the edge — to steer clear of any potential danger zone.

After searching for a spot to park our chairs, we snapped a bunch of selfies, got our feet wet by one of the sandy sections of the river’s edge, and then returned to sit facing el Río Tanamá.

Bonding with Mother Nature

With the soothing sounds of the river in front of us, Yuma and I sat in awe of the beauty surrounding us. Feeling the breeze caress our skin, hearing the birds chirping, and smelling the crisp scent of the water in the air, all reminded me of how blessed we are.

After a short while, we got to talking. I shared with Yuma how grateful I was for her and for having returned to this Madre Borikén. We also talked about my plans to get serious about marketing my writing business.

She shared suggestions and support for this next phase of my career. Yuma also wanted me to understand that this was a safe space. We both shared vulnerabilities about life and she again reminded me how important it is to feel comfortable in one’s skin.

We sat quietly for a few moments. Then, she got up and indicated she’d go over to the waterfall. Wanting to give her a bit of private time, I again walked over to the river’s edge. Crawling over a few large rocks, I sat on one and dipped my toes in the chilly water. Then I began to meditate — thanking the river Tanamá and my benevolent ancestors for my every blessing.

Eventually, I decided to join Yuma by the waterfall. Standing facing the cascading flow, I could sense she was at peace. Then she did something I had not expected.

She started singing. I felt it was to honor the river, her ancestors, herself (maybe even me!), and Mother Nature. Closing my eyes, slowly from swaying side to side, I placed my hands over my heart in respect of all of it.

That experience will forever remain one of my most beautiful memories.

A Renewed Vow

It was now my turn to get closer to the waterfall. Carefully maneuvering over the wet rocks, I walked toward it in reverence to all that it represents.

Feeling its mist softly spraying over my face, I was at once overjoyed and a pinch overwhelmed. The water was very cold, yet I felt its warmth. Slowly inching closer to the thick cascading surge, I started laughing as I raised my arms over my head.

At that moment, my soul spoke to me.

Or more accurately, the river and everything it symbolizes whispered to me: “Lola, be unafraid. You are here because you have so much work to do. You are home — this land will always nurture you.”

Something else surprised me as I approached the waterfall — a trio of flowers.

Yuma commented that they were left as an offering [to Río Tanamá, to the ancestors, and] to the West African Yoruba deity, Osun (pronounced ‘Oh Shoon’).

Symbol Sage provides insight into Osun thusly:

Oshun, also known as Oxum and Ochún, is a supreme being or Orisha of the Yoruba people — the largest ethnic group of southwestern Nigeria. In the Yoruba religion, she’s also called the river goddess and is commonly associated with fresh and sweet waters, love, purity, prosperity, fertility, and beauty.

She’s the most prominent and venerated of all the Orishas but is considered to possess some human traits as well, such as perseverance, but also vanity.

Seeing those gorgeous sunflowers strategically planted on that rock was a reminder of the commitment I have to this nation, to my people, to humanity, and to myself.

Everything I experienced that day, en route to and at the Río Tanamá, returning to Loíza in Yuma’s car, and every moment in between held great significance. It still does.

I am surrounded by all of the wonders of La Madre Naturaleza (Mother Nature). The essence of Madre Borikén resides within my soul — to her I am indebted.

My existence is filled with blessings. And they are the very fabric of my life. Each is a gift, a manifestation of the vibrant colors that make up my world — metaphorically, spiritually, and emotionally.

Special shout out to Dr. Preeti Singh, Sharing Randomly, Dr. Gabriella Korosi, Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles, and everyone at the Dancing Elephants Press family. 🌻