Lionel Messi won the World Cup and so did I

A thank you note

A few years ago I changed my New Year’s practice where instead of asking God for a word for the year I asked for the name of a footballer. I’ve been religiously watching futbol for 16 years, so I know enough about footballers to know what God could be saying through the name I got.

Every year I wanted one name only — Lionel Andres Messi. But every year I got other names, I even got Cristiano Ronaldo for 2021! God was saying something about loving your enemies, haha. Finally I heard the name I wanted. I just knew. 2022 was the year for Lionel Messi. I’ve never taken the time to write the whole story on how Messi became such an important person in my life, but I’ll tell you this, the moment I heard his name for 2022 I knew that I was going to Peru.

I could probably write Messi’s unofficial biography honestly, and I will spare you the details, but his story starts with brilliance, continued by rejection, family separation, glimpses of hope, shyness, struggle, and then came back around to brilliance but this time covered in joy.

I knew 2022 was going to be tough, but I had one goal (no pun intended) which was to let myself dream and have faith that I will get to go home. I had to let myself believe that it was time for the brilliance covered in joy. I couldn’t take any more of the struggle, rejection, family separation, etc., so God (and the many immigration activists and organizers) made a way where there was no way.

The entire year was a waiting game, but the miracle happened. I was in Peru from September 24th through December 19th. While I was in Peru I barely wrote, yet y’all still stayed here and continue to support my writing. I haven’t gotten around to sharing many pictures or anything on social media, but I wanted to share some with you, because even though you didn’t know it, you helped me believe and reminded me that my story and words were important. You read so much of my grief, so I wanted to share some of my joy. Thank you for always taking the time to read my stories and thoughts. I am excited for what’s to come this year.

And I’m not saying I’m prophetic, but if you haven’t heard Lionel Messi did win the World Cup! And so did I, because going to Peru was my World Cup. What a final and win indeed.

Peru 2022

1. I got to hold my tia’s hand before she became an ancestor.

2. Got to celebrate my mami’s birthday with her!

3. Met my older sister’s family! This is her daughter ♡

4. Hung out with my dad’s sister every chance I got. She’s a blast.

5. I got to be with the ocean whenever. Just the proximity blessed my soul.

6. I met Susana Baca, who is a brilliant Afro-Peruvian musician and educator.

7. Road-tripped with my cousins.

8. Met my nieces and nephews! I have 9 of them on my mom’s side of the family!

9. My dear friend came to visit my mami and me in Lima. Such a fun treat!

   

   

   

   Peru 2022

10. Spent time with my first cousins. I grew up with them so this was a gift.

11. Meet my niece Karlita! I am obsessed with this baby, and not just because she’s my namesake ;)

12. Got to celebrate my abuelita’s birthday with her for the first time in 20 yrs!

13. My nephew got me an Argentina jersey, so we watched the World Cup together!

14. Messed with my abuelita every day. We laughed so much!

15. Met one of my Tumblr friends for the first time after being online friends for 12 years!

16. Went to so many birthday parties, it was unreal.

17. Ate Peruvian food every day, but the view for this one was next level.

18. Met one of my favorite digital artists! She was fantastic!

Ps. If you missed it, the videos of me seeing my mom for the first time in 6.5 years are here. And the videos where I get to see and hug my abuelita for the first time in almost 21 years is here.

Thank you for journeying this road of faith and life with me. Here’s to 2023’s footballer!