BECAUSE OF YOU

Because of you I had the chance to have a sister, which otherwise would have never happened. Because of you I realized how great Mexicans, Israelis, Argentineans and Spanish, among others were, being able to open my mind to all different cultures around the globe. Because of you I developed “surviving techniques”, that I’ve been now able to use for years. Because of you I can fluently speak two languages, having the chance to multiply the chances of getting to know people from all over the world, or just sharing experiences in random places with random people. Because of you I learned how to cross borders, acquiring creativeness that I have used many times in my life.

Because of you I’m no longer afraid of anything, but loosing the ones I love, and therefore I have been able to bear tough situations. Because of you I learned how to cook and I have spent the last ten years of my life eaten over the sink. Because of you I learned how to work out, being able to overcome two hard illnesses I once had. Because of you I learned how to give speeches, which has been very useful, I’ve done many. Because of you I learned how two work with clay, which I’ve never ever done again but loved it back since. Because of you I learned how a guitar can be played, I was just too stupid and lazy to become proficient.

Because of you I met outstanding people, many of who I still keep in touch with. Because of you I fell in love, and my life changed forever. Because of you I was able to write several hundreds of pages, realizing writing is something I should keep doing till the end of my days. Because of you I always keep my seat belt on, which might save me sometime. Because of you I feel I have a second home in this planet.

Thanks America, for all what you mean to me.

JPDR (Chicago, 2008)
Twitter: @juanpdiazr