Gia Ruiz

Where I'm From #23By Gia RuizInspired by George Ella LyonI am from layawaysFrom generic cola and heartburn causing picante chipsI am from 9 homes in 17 years, on military bases, in the middle of pineapple fields, next to undetonated bombs.I am from plantains, brown and bruised, then fried, and smashed at just the right time.I’m from my mom’s lived ghost stories and curly hair and loudest laugh, and elaborate homemade Halloween costumes.From Juan and Linda and Javieri’m from holding it in until you explode and cross country road trips, reading books in the car.I’m from hoping there would be donuts after mass.I’m from Panama and the Aztecs and the Ancient Publoans, and the White men who liked Brown women.I’m from fork-pressed empanadas guided by my abuela’s hand, and my mama’s arroz con pollo with the orange box Goya seasoning.From the desert where my dad did the odd jobs, the shoe shining outside a bar, the catching desert tortoises and bopping them on the head, the hundreds of pounds of picked cotton.From the tias who had the powers of brujas, always sensing when something was wrong from miles away.Being the family archivist. I have the papers and the photos, the stories and the secrets. The family’s human confessional. Given to me by everyone for safe keeping.Packed in old Samsonite suitcases for their next journey. Where to find Gia:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earnestlygiaWhere to find Alyson:Website: https://www.alysonshelton.comSubstack: https://whereimfrom.substack.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byalysonshelton/