Words

 I love words and I love writing. In the past few months I’ve needed words to describe very specific feelings, thoughts and ideas and while the same word exists both in English and Spanish, they often do not convey the same meaning, the same feeling or the same cultural reference. Sometimes, a word said in Spanish fits better, at other times it’s better in English. The word faith for example, in Spanish, FE, (for me) is always tied to religious faith and God like intervention and I never use it because it doesn’t feel right. While when I think of it in English, FAITH, it feels better, it feels more generous in an everything-will-be-okay kind of way, no need for God. There is a lot going on in the world and finding words that reflect a universal experience, provide universal comfort or convey universal understanding seem unattainable. So, for now we are left with deeds not words, and while we sit here moored to the uncomfortable despair, we need to add a deed to our words, one that shows kindness, conveys understanding and offers alliance.