Welcome to Sunday Candy! This is a biweekly newsletter sprinkled with whatever I feel like sharing with you.
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On Saying “I love you”❓
I can’t help but feel like Rudy Francisco is straight up talking about my own family in this poem.
One of the many things I love about being Mexican is the various ways massive amounts of affection exists and is expressed through food.
And it’s not uncommon for me to be hit with one of the following questions before even getting asked how I’m doing: ¿Ya comisté? or ¿Tienes hambre?
Getting asked if I’ve already eaten or if I’m hungry and getting fed by anyone in my family is love. It always has been. And it’s not just physically nourishing to be fed, it’s so gratifying on a soul level. There’s warmth in it. Having someone take the time to prepare and offer food is, I think, one of the greatest acts of love.
It’s not just an I love you, it’s I got you, I see you, I’ll take care of you, you’re worth the time and effort. How beautiful.
There are obviously many ways to express love, care, and generosity towards others and ourselves. But sometimes in our actions we fail our loved ones, or they fail us. Same with language. And yet, I find it so interesting and powerful how even just a single question can convey such deep affection.
And so I find myself thinking of all the questions that can or might function in this same way. Because sometimes we can’t do, or say, but maybe we can just ask.
Like: How are you? How can I help? What’s on your mind? and of course, have you eaten today?
One Sentence 📝
Lately, while writing I find myself reflecting back to my old job at an elementary school and how I would lead small groups of students and teach them how to write.
Even though my attention these days is focused on essays and Sunday Candy, while they were still learning to master the art of a simple paragraph, I find that time with them so informative.
Of course, before they could get to writing one whole paragraph, they had to start with the most important part: writing one sentence. That’s it.
And I loved the look of determination on their little faces as they put a few words together to write the most simple sentences. Not to mention the joy that radiated from them when they got to the final word and placed their period beside it in victory.
And then? They’d repeat the process. One sentence. Again and again. Until they finally had their completed paragraph.
I remember how they would marvel at their final products. I did too.
It was all so simple.
Playlist: ✨Find The Wonder ✨
For this week, I’ve cobbled together a playlist that’s more on the vibey side, for you. Perhaps to help me combat the overwhelmingly dreary weather here in the Bay Area that is increasingly kicking up my melancholic notches to the extreme.
Everyday I’m fighting an urge to run away to some cabin where I can hibernate for the upcoming winter with all the soup, piles of books, and tons of cozy blankets. Just me?
Anyway, click the image below to listen on Spotify. Enjoy.
That’s all for issue #19 of Sunday Candy!
Until next time.
Stay tender,
Sandra
Psssst. If you’ve made it this far, don’t be shy.
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Annnnd it’d be real sweet if you shared Sunday Candy with a friend or two. I bet it would look great on your Twitter timeline. Cough Cough.
100% relate to showing affection through food. My Filipino relatives would ask “aye nako did you eat today?!” but then only to say “aye nako you’re getting fat!” which perhaps still comes from a place of love.
I’m lovin the vibey, cozy jams. I got excited to listen as soon as I saw Remi Wolf 🙂
Food is definitely love in Jewish culture. Exactly as you described!