Gracias, mami.

In gratitude to my mother.

My mother always peppered her conversation with short, but profound traditional aphorisms to convey her wisdom.

Most of them consistently echo in my mind. The lessons she transmitted to me through her example and mantras became affirmations that have helped me toll through years of misfortune resulting from being a targeted individual.

In honor of my mother, I would like to share some of her adages that have served as mantras holding me through the darkest of moments, allowing me to endure and survive the atrocities the ‘Program’ has perpetrated on me. Perhaps some will serve as a source of inspiration when you need it most.

“Aspira a aprender algo nuevo cada día.”

Yearn to learn something new each day. Reading, knitting, dancing, cooking, gardening…Acquiring new skills and knowledge is that kind of thing that makes you feel good. It gives a sense of accomplishment. Makes you more well-rounded. Most importantly: when you least expect it, something you learned will come in handy – or even save your life.

Faced with handy men who would charge me $25 for installing a lamp in only ten minutes, I turned to YouTube to learn how to do it.

I never fathomed that learning the basics about electricity and its safety would save my life.

In 2021, at the behest of the government criminals that run the ‘Program’, my former tenant rewired my home’s electricity, weaponizing it to manipulate the wireless body area network that had been gradually placed within me.

My house used to always be cool inside, yet for the first time in twenty years felt like a microwave oven.

The criminals were not counting on the limited knowledge of electricity that I had acquired through YouTube and conversations with electricians as they tolled away. Basic safety precautions and wiring rules allowed me to undo a lot of my home’s circuits reconfigured to torture me. After shutting down all power, I discovered and meticulously disconnected live (red) wires disguised with green tape attached to the ground panel screw. Throughout the entire house, the live wires were connected to the ground ones.

Even though I did not have the expertise to correctly rewire the entire house, by discovering and undoing most of it, I rained on the criminals’ parade.

If I had not chosen to “learn something new” every day, I would not have even recognized the atrocities done to the electricity in my house, let alone undone most of it.

My mom insisted that I learn something every day because it would always pay off. Learning Excel, crochet or how to make a bonsai not only gives you practical tools in life, but also takes your mind off the difficult times you undergo.

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“El que se fue no hace falta.”

We do not miss he who left. As a targeted individual, most of you know firsthand what it is for your family and friends to gradually stray away.

Throughout the over two decades that I was targeted but did not know about it, I did not think anything of those that simply vanished out of my life. Abiding by my mom’s advice, the ones that mattered were the those that did not leave. Relegated to a distant past remained those that, unbeknownst to me, did not love enough or had the courage to stay around.

The only people that should matter are those that stick to you through thick and thin. The ones courageous enough to help you despite relentless retaliation against them for doing so. Do not waste your time missing those that left. They will one day realize what fools they were to do so.

I urge you not to miss those that are gone. I am grateful that mine are no longer around to tout their hypocrisy , pretending to be a friend or family while selling me out to the enemy. By abandoning the ship, they gifted me the opportunity to give my love, loyalty, and respect to those that have earned it by standing by me.

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“Lo bailado, nadie te lo quita.”

No one can take away all the fun you have had.

Fond memories inspire us. They built us into who we are.

My mom had a tough life. That is why I believe she appreciated and enjoyed to the fullest the sporadic precious moments that life brought about. She liked to laugh hard until it hurt.

On special occasions, she would treasure a glass of Veuve Cliquot, but it was the daily simple things of life that brought her utmost happiness: listening to beautiful music, enjoying the company of her pets, a stroll at the beach, the company of her sisters, swaying in a hammock, a delicious home cooked meal, or proudly relishing on the accomplishments of any of her three daughters.

Just like a person’s education, mom believed that no one could take away your joyful memories or your capacity to be happy.

Ánimo compañera!

My mother pushed me to become an overachiever, never letting me settle for less. Very demanding in my academic performance, she was extremely supportive in all those extracurricular activities that made me into a well-rounded person.

As an adult, I was the only of three daughters that lived in Puerto Rico with my parents. When I encountered setbacks, she would always encourage me with these words.

In the loneliest, most difficult moments that I have overcome as a victim of the atrocious ‘Program’, I constantly think of her encouraging phrase to make it through. And it works.

To all of you living one day at a time, surviving this atrocious program I say: Strength Mate! We’ve got this!

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My mother passed away in 2004. I do not have any photographs with her. The criminals that stole and destroyed my files and hard drives also attempted to erase my memories.

It does not matter. My mother’s memories, love, and wisdom live within me, beyond the criminals’ reach.

Gracias mami for being such an exceptional mother to me.

I hope one day to have my son hold his mother as close to his heart as I do mine. I have certainly tried to pass on to him my mother’s wisdom, and then some.

Happy Mother’s Day!