Author Archives: JSantana

Why Stories Matter: Encanto

If you don’t know of this beautiful movie, it premiered today on Disney plus and it was so amazing my eyes are still damp. The story centers on a magical Columbian family that flees from persecution and through a miracle, they are given a magical home, known as their Encanto. The children also receive magicalContinue reading “Why Stories Matter: Encanto”

Letter to my Daughter: You are a Light in the World.

You are a Light in the World I love that you wake up singing. That even before you knew the words, you knew the song in your heart and you wanted to hear the joy. You wanted to share the joy that lived in you. You are a light, my child. A beacon in theContinue reading “Letter to my Daughter: You are a Light in the World.”

A Letter to my Daughter, on this Most Historic Day: Kamala Harris, a Woman of Color is Madam Vice President!

Today, was the Inauguration of the 46th president of the United States. While that’s significant, it’s not usually earth-shattering in my world. But this time it’s different. This time there’s hope on the horizon.  “We see the first woman in American history elected to the national office, Vice President Kamala Harris. Don’t tell me thingsContinue reading “A Letter to my Daughter, on this Most Historic Day: Kamala Harris, a Woman of Color is Madam Vice President!”

A Letter to my Daughter, When the World Seems so Scary

Jan 6, 2021 Yesterday, we watched all day long as what was supposed to be a very.boring government business day turned into something of a nightmare. I couldn’t look away and neither could the world, as rioters from a pro-Trump protest pushed police out of the way and overran Capitol Hill and let themselves inContinue reading “A Letter to my Daughter, When the World Seems so Scary”

3 life lessons from Disney’s SOUL to take into 2021

  We can all admit 2020 was a special kind of year, one some wish we could have passed over, written off or or slept through.  With rampant pandemic cases, record-breaking unemployment and economic troubles all around but what if there was another option?  On December 25, Soul, a new movie by Disney and Pixar,Continue reading “3 life lessons from Disney’s SOUL to take into 2021”

The Christmas That Almost Wasn’t 2020 edition

This holiday like everyone else’s was a little different than normal. I’ve done a FaceTime Christmas before when I was living in China, where I watched as family and friends enjoyed Dominican faire and music. It was pre-covid but I guess I was a little prepared to watch others’ festivities like I was watching aContinue reading “The Christmas That Almost Wasn’t 2020 edition”

Do You Miss Your Imagination?

I don’t know about you but I sometimes sit and marvel at my daughter while she plays. She sings and plays pretend, tells herself stories and walks around the bedroom with a blanket wrapped like a cape.  When was the last time you delved into such imagination?  I don’t even remember the last time IContinue reading “Do You Miss Your Imagination?”

Jingle Jangle: Where have you been all my life?

I know I’m late to the Jingle parade but I grew up with a mother obsessed with Christmas but we didn’t start until the day after thanksgiving. This year I did my best to keep at least one tradition alive. Watch holidays’ movies when their holiday comes up. I waited until the back-to-school died downContinue reading “Jingle Jangle: Where have you been all my life?”

Timeless Words for Them

If you didn’t see these beautiful letters roaming on Veteran’s Day, I’m sending you there now. A World War II Veteran’s Timeless Words for his Son There is something that happens when you have a child and the world is crumbling around you. As a single person, your world is your own. You take leapsContinue reading “Timeless Words for Them”