The language of my heart and soul

by Gus Herrero in Español Exprés | 0 comments

When people ask me what language I use to first write my columns, I usually smile and say it doesn’t matter. The important thing is that I can communicate with my readers.

In the last few weeks I’ve been meeting many wonderful readers of my column and I cannot explain how exciting it is to hear what they think of my stories. Many of you greet me with a big smile and a warm hug and tell me what your favorite story was. I have no words to explain how this makes me feel.

When I was growing up I always felt the need to communicate and feel surrounded by people. Now I cannot stop communicating with people (though at times I wish I could). Whether at work or at school, people tend to tell me their problems, concerns and deepest feelings. I, of course, have the need to listen and give advice.

Despite the fact that I love talking, writing is one of my true passions … and believe it or not, I always find myself asking strangers for approval.

Last Saturday I met a guy who I thought I’d seen before, but couldn’t remember where. He approached me and started to tell me all his favorites stories and his feelings about them. My heart was bursting, as I always wanted to be a writer and get published, and now I have that. How lucky I feel. I thanked him for reading my columns and he gave me the support I needed to continue writing.

Even though this column is in both English and Spanish, I truly enjoy the Spanish language — its sounds; its ups and downs, its million ways to express what only one English sentence can.

Spanish, its vowels and sounds, flow like a song in my ears. Spanish, the language of my ancestors, how could I forget you? Spanish, how could someone ever want to get rid of traces of you while speaking a foreign language?

Yes, sir, I speak English, too. But it’s just a matter of education and communication in this nation. Yes, I live and am in love with America, however no one can take away my mother tongue.

A bumper sticker reads, “Welcome to America, now speak English.” I say thank you, and I will speak English — at school, at the grocery store, at the clubs, at the house of my in-laws. But secretly, in my own room, my heart, tongue and mind I speak only one language — Spanish. Mi corazón y mi alma está con vosotros en esta edicion … nos vemos mis queridos lectores.