My Letter To Santa....

Dear Santa,

What’s up? It’s your home-girl Chena. You know……from New Campo where we spent our first eight years of niña mugrosa to Santo Close relationship in apartment number 52. Broleña. Yea? No? Maybe so? Well anyways, I was catching up with my correspondence and since it’s been a while since I’ve written, I thought “why not write to you?’ Perfect time of year que no?!

Anyways, Nomas estaba escribiendo para desirte que I don’t really need anything this year. Tu sabes. I’ve got mi familia, amigos, and puros bendiciones que no me falta nada. Pues aves en cuando nesecito dinero, but you know how that goes.

But in all truth and honestly, I just wish for the happiness and wellness of those I love. All of my friends and family. Past, present, and futuro. Including our pets - cause you know how much I love dogs right? Anyways, you know I pray to my Diosito every now and then and ask for the same but I figured you two can work on that. Oh and please take care of my mommy. I still call her mommy after all these years. Ya estoy vieja (nat really) pero I still love to call her mommy. She is the most generous person with her heart that I have ever met. You have no idea, Santa, how much I love her. And how much all of her kids love her. So make her happy this Christmas and many many many more Christmases to come.

Oh and one more thing if that’s ok. I have a friend who could really use your cheerful spirit. I think you know who I’m talking about. So can you spread a little cheer for my friend to hear? Bring joy in my friend’s life and show my friend that life is still worthwhile. Even if I’m not there to show my friend how happy life can be, then maybe send someone who can really show it. Ok ya es todo. Thanks for listening mang. Meri Crismas!! Hasta luego!!


La Chena
Haha!!

For Cooper....

I wrote the following poem titled “Paw Prints in the Sand…” for my boss’ dog who I had the privilege to dog-sit often. I’ve always wanted a big dog (not to say that I don’t love my small Bitsey – because I love her very much even though my mom kept her when I left for college) but have been too afraid to take on the financial responsibility of having one. So, my boss let me take on the role of step-mom to Cooper for the past four years and together, Cooper and I had many adventures. One of his favorite things to do was go to dog beach in Solona Beach where we often visited and played around in the water and sand. Unfortunately, Cooper was diagnosed with stage 4 lymphoma cancer in the spring of this year. He put up a fight but couldn’t fight any more and passed away on November 27. Since today was my boss’ birthday, I decided to write a little poem reflecting Cooper and surround it by a collage of photos of him as a gift. A few photos of Cooper are posted below as well as the poem I wrote. Note: Scully was Cooper’s sister. She passed away four years ago at the age of 8 and was also golden retriever.

Paw Prints in the Sand...

Dear Mom and Dad

I’m sorry I couldn’t stay forever
I really wish I could
I’m having so much fun here
And I promise I’ve been good!

There’s so much to do here
Everything is big and grand
Oh and I even get to
Leave my paw prints in the sand!

Guess who I saw the other day!
I saw Scully running around
She immediately recognized me
Now we’re always adventure bound!

There’s no such thing as “dog beach”
Just a beach for all who love this land
So Scully and I are running around
Leaving our paw prints in the sand!

I know you must really miss me
And trust me, I miss you more
You were the best parents a dog could have
And who loved me to the core

I think of you every single day
Even when I’m out on the strand
Remembering our fun times together
Of leaving paw prints in the sand

Love,
Cooper

By: Jessenia Lua