Chapter 1:
"The journey of a thousand miles
begins with one step, but understanding where we come from provides the map for
the path we take." — Unknown
In the beginning
It was a Friday,
November 5th, 1982, in Sincelejo-Sucre, Colombia, South America. According to
my mother's account, she went for what she believed to be a routine prenatal
appointment. She was about 34 weeks pregnant at the time. The OBGYN doctor, Dr.
Blanco, examined her and delivered an urgent message: "Are you ready to
have this baby? Let's do it; the baby needs to come out yesterday. Your blood
pressure is extremely high." The news was sudden, like a bolt from the
blue. That very evening, she underwent an emergency C-section. I was born
around 5 PM.
Brimming with joy at my arrival, my father brought mariachis to the hospital and
serenaded us with the song "Eres mi Niña Bonita"—"You are my
beautiful girl." His happiness was palpable, a testament to the strength
of our family's love. Meanwhile, I was placed in an incubator, having arrived a
bit more prematurely than expected, barely 34 weeks into gestation. My mother
was filled with fear as she looked at my tiny, fragile form. She cried, worried
I might not make it. Even my three-year-old cousin Diana, who came to visit,
remarked on my long, skinny legs.
My early years
were filled with the vibrant colors and sounds of our small town,
Sincelejo-Sucre. I grew up surrounded by the rich cultural heritage of Colombia,
from the lively music in the streets to the delicious aromas of our traditional
dishes. My parents, Rocio and Manuel, instilled in me a deep appreciation for our Spanish heritage and the importance of family. Later on in this book, you may sense an ironic tone. The story of my name is a tale of creativity and
fate. My father found a book or pamphlet with the French name Rosabelle.
Thinking he could give it a Spanish twist, he removed the "-le,"
creating Rosabel. Later, he discovered that Rosabel was an English name. To add
more layers to my identity, my mother chose Virginia as my middle name, another
English name. Thus, I became Rosabel Virginia Gonzalez Quinones—a mix of
English and Spanish names, with Gonzalez and Quinones reflecting my Spanish
heritage. Quinones was a rare last name in our small town that stood out even
in the local phone book.
Allow me to tell
you about the most wonderful woman I have ever met—my mother, Rocio, whose name
means "morning dawn." Affectionately known as "la seño" or
"the teacher," she began her career as an elementary school teacher,
proudly serving the government for 34 years. But her talents extended beyond
the classroom; she was also a well-known dress decorator in our small town. Towards the end of her life, she
pursued a master's degree in arts, showcasing her dedication to lifelong
learning and personal growth. Her commitment to education and self-improvement
has always been a guiding light in my life. My mother was one of the founders
of the elementary school where she served for many years, and her name remains
etched in the school hymn and emblem—a testament to her lasting impact.
Find out more at www.rosabelunscripted.com
My book "The Courage to Succeed: A True American Dream." is available at: Click on the links below
1 comment:
I like the style of writing. Sad, but I Will continue to read the book. Is it out for sale?
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