Volume 1; Issue 9: July 2025

Hola,

Do you ever cry? I do. This past month, I've been wanting to cry. Yes, you read that correctly; I wanted to, but I'm having a hard time of it, especially as I get older. You see, I used to cry all the time, not only when I was sad, but when I was scared, stressed, and even happy. This got me thinking. Whenever I had a good cry, I was able to sort out my thoughts about the emotion I was experiencing and that gave me clarity and peace. In other words, the aftermath of crying is the calm and the space I needed to accept and process any situation. My sense of calm is more frequent than ever, so perhaps crying is not warranted for me as much it used to be, but I still miss it. The feeling it gave me afterwards was at times blissful even in my darkest moments (read my Blogpost below, about the stages of grief). So if you're able to cry, I say, "Let it out Llorona!" and don't hold back because you just might feel better.

This past month, I read real accounts of everyday people at Bodega Stories (click green button). I love what writer and journalist, Amaris Castillo, has explored in this website. Be sure to take a look, because it might make you cry, but in a hopeful and beautiful way.

My Blogpost: Click the green button.

Spanish Word Translation: La Llorona [yo-ROH-nah]: The literal translation is "The Crying Woman". When I was first introduced to the story of La Llorona by one of my friends in college, I admit I was a bit freaked out. Basically, it's about a ghostly crying woman who wanders near a body of water. Honestly, till this day, I don't know the true details of the myth and I've heard many versions of it, but I understood her to be cursed and engaged in endless suffering. Have you heard of La Llorona? If so, send me a direct message on Instagram or Bluesky. I'd love to know how this story was passed on to you.

Bodega News:

• Thank you to South Texas College, Theatre Department! My full-length play, Edgar's Living Funeral, was the workshop production in this year's STX New Play Festival. It was an honor and privilege to collaborate with such an amazing group of actors and theater professionals.

• I'm back! ...on Instagram, that is....but this time you can find me @mariar.bross. Follow me if you'd like to learn Spanglish, not to be confused with Spanish lol!, to find out what these words mean, and read my personal take from growing up with the Spanish slang.

• Part Two of Bodega Botanica Tales: Carmen (a novella) is almost here! Want to know more about what happened that fateful day to the kids from the neighborhood in Silk City? If so, be sure to read Carmen's story on August 26th.

Until next month...Stay tuned Brujas!

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