You are My Family, Not Just a Friend! - Anna Banana's Creative Stories

Håfa, che'lu-hu, hålom ya un kanno' tortilla yan guihan! Written by: Anna Marie Moniz (Baleto) Familia-ku hamyo ya ti amigu ha' hamyo: You are my family, not just a friend. Here on the mainland, I have adopted an aunt-friend who comes close to a unique connection greater than they know. Although our distance has been great, there is a way to her heart of wisdom and compassion. Yes, we live on the mainland, but we reunite and rekindle on Guam. For example, my stronghold, wise in analytical intelligence, yet compassionate and generous, Aunt Carmen “Doll” Hensley, lives in Illinois. It is easy to drive to them, invite myself to their homes, and help myself to tortillas and guiyan (fish) instead of buying an expensive round-trip ticket to Guam. But do I go to their house uninvited? No. We choose to reunite at the heart of the moment, where it all started, where it means the most. The words that make our hearts beat faster are where we hear them most: “mai'la halom,” which means, “Come on in.” Those words are our soul connection, what made us Chamoru, the enduring bond that calls us from the grave and to Sunday mass when the bell rings on time, every time. This is where this storytelling begins. I honestly didn’t meet my aunties by accident; it was a beautiful moment of kinship when visiting my adopted parents on the island. Mariquita and David Baleto of Santa Rita were known for their friendliness and compassion, their Catholic faith, and their large family lineage. Whenever a guest arrives to visit us, we drop whatever we are doing and become kindred family with whoever comes to visit. For me, I have learned through time that our visitors have hit the jackpot, because we just finished frying guiyan (fish) and patted down the last batch of tortillas. I am assuming they must’ve smelled our cooking on their way from the commissary. And it frustrates me because I always wanted the big fish first... but I didn’t say that. Having the ability to strengthen our bond not only with a chosen family and friends, but also with a core of ethnicities and cultures from all over the world. I instinctively believe we are all intertwined and chosen for a purpose, service, and a calling from God. Jesus reflects on not being of servants, but a friend. Now, as a reflection on past time on the island, I would like to dedicate this moment to Auntie Carmen “Doll.” At a time of my loneliness, she spent a day with me, sharing stories from her past and accomplishments that inspired me to become a creative writer. She would write me beautiful letters and catch up on health and family events. What my aunt never knew, but now she will know this... My adopted mother, Tita, had always admired her; she looked to her in ways I can’t truly explain. She would wait patiently for her phone call, and tell me details about your beautiful clothes and packages. Never in a mere moment she never stopped loving you. When her excitement about your arrival was never missed, it was never truly forgotten to say to you...”Håfa, che'lu-hu, hålom ya un kanno' tortilla yan guihan! Bendision siha. Written by Anna Marie Moniz (Baleto)

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Island Style Reflection

“Lya-hu na Påtgon Famalao’an (My Sisters): Never Forget Your Protective Heart.”I Tulu Na Puti Sihek Ñeña: The Three Little Bird Sihek Sisters: At the core of the power of the number three: the story of Christ Jesus begins with the Trinity, the three wisemen, the three-word phrases love, hope, and faith, and God’s third day of rest after creation. In Chamoru, the number three is “tulu.” This is a powerful number in Guam culture, giving a sense of just enough. In Chamoru tradition, three often symbolizes harmony and completeness. It appears in traditional storytelling, where triads show balance and wholeness, and in the formation of families and clans, where it represents unity and strength. My sisters have been a foundation of what I am today. As young as we were, they built me up and protected me from bullies. Although yesterday is gone, I remember the times we held each other as we moved into another chapter. Though unforeseen circumstances have changed our lives, the memory of playing in the open field of Mother Nature’s playground remains profound. Our young lives were simple: sipping from the water hose, swimming in the warm ocean in the evening, splashing water at each other, hearing our parents argue over the burnt turkey, and spending nights laughing over silly gossip. I never wanted our endless nights to end. It was an unbroken promise, a secret that, in time, rekindles our laughter, tears, and memories. I see us as the three little sihek birds, a symbol of an unspoken bond. A protective, nurturing, rare, three-of-a-kind bond that keeps their hearts together. We learned that if we stick together, the bond gets stronger, our lives are nourished, and loneliness fades. You had faith not just in yourselves, but in each other. Through all our trials and errors, you were my pyramid, building me up. You strengthen my soul and my weaknesses. You are my sisters forever. Hågu i che’lu-hu gi todo tiempo, Lolanie Charfauros Moniz Mesa and Mary Jo Moniz-Rome Written By: Anna Marie (Baleto) Moniz