Asi es la vida

Music has always been a constant background in my life. I like to say that if life was a musical- then I have a series  of soundtracks that would probably require some sort of explanation as to why they made it to my list. My heart has equally exploded with songs by Selena, Backstreet Boys, hymns and contemporary  worship music... to me- music is music and there is some sort of sacredness in all of it, especially when those songs can speak directly to your heart or if they connect you to a memory that can instantly change your mood.

Arely and Clelis, circa 2008

When I was at PanAm,during my high school years, Elefante came out with a song : Asi es la vida. Try to listen to it once and you would want to put it on repeat and dance to the catchy tune (which is what Troy and I just did last night). The funny story behind this song is that it  caused the only (ever!) disagreement my lifelong best friend, Arely, and I had in our lives. It was so bad we didn’t talk to each other for the entirety of one whole class period. ¡Terrible!

Let me explain. But first, the lyrics of the chorus:



Así es la vida, de caprichosa... 
a veces negra, a veces color rosa. 
Así es la vida, jacarandosa...
te quita, te pone, te sube, te baja y ¡a veces te lo da!
¡Así es la vida!

At 16 years old, I had no clue where la vida would take me...And I told Arely that life would never be negra if God was by our side. She didn’t agree. At 16, she had experienced way more than me. She knew what struggles were, even when God was on her side. I didn’t.

How can a believer, a Christ-follower, settle for such is life! Where was her hope?

Twinkies, circa 2013

Fortunately, our love for each other was bigger than any theological disagreement. And I am so glad. I am happy to report that Arely and I are still the best of friends, through subes y bajas, marriages, trips, distance and evolving faiths! (Thank God for WhatsApp!)

Last night I was feeling lonely and hopeless. There is so much injustice in the world! Hatred seems to be winning. With our instant access to technology, we can’t escape the awful news of shootings, suicide and depression. Our churches seem more isolated and protected than ever. Lots of divisions and prejudice against the “other.” Broken relationships, wounded hearts...

Should I keep going? Seems pretty negra to me.

Amigas del camino, circa 2019

The transition to a new community and the newness of a new profession has been hard for me and my family. Most days I want to quit, but then I remember the whole picture and I find myself  moving forward. God moves me forward. God reminds me of hope and that love ALWAYS wins.

Still, there are days that singing and dancing to ¡Asi es la vida! seems to be the only way to deal with the  ugliness of this world. So, thanks to Alexa, Troy and I danced and moved to the tune on a Friday night on my kitchen floor. He loved it. And it was an ordinary sacred moment for me.

¡Asi es la vida!

Gracias, Twinky por enseñarme tanto. ¿Cómo dice?