The Little Red Riding Hood

 I would like to start by saying that this is a very different version of the "typical" and in my opinion {very dark} non child-type story of the Little Red Riding Hood.

I mean, as a child and even now, I could never understood how in the world a children's book could be so drastic and so tragic. The wolf eating the granny to then die {in the hands of men chopping wood} being cut open to rescue granny from his insides? Yuck

But, of course the story is a classic and I am NOT trying to change it. I simply want to express it my way. And the way I see it is very peaches and cream with an important message to share.

So, what can you possibly get from my version of the Little Red Riding Hood that you have not gotten from the original version before? You know, to be obedient to your parents, to listen to them and to NOT talk to strangers EVER!?

Well, although my personal photo shoot wasn't huge I would like to think that it captured the essence of what I wanted to transmit.

I have always, since I can remember, had a special affection for elderly people. Since I was a little girl, I remember praying for all the grandmothers and grandfathers in the world. I would pray that they would have food in their bellies and that they would have a blanket to cover them from the cold. I still pray for all those grandparents out there suffering starvation for the homeless ones or for those that have food and have a home but that don't have anyone to hug. I pray for those grandparents that are all alone in the world.

They are our history, they are our past, they have given everything for their love ones and how sad it is to realize that a huge percent of our elderly is left abandoned.

I still remember reading the news after Hurricane Katrina back in 2005. My heart broke into many pieces when finding out that many deaths occurred in nursing homes where elderly residents where abandoned. I simply didn't get it!

Why do we have to wait until an emergency, illness or a death to let our love ones know how much we care for them? Why wait until Thanksgiving or Christmas to visit them or give them a phone call?

As many of you know, I was born and raised in Colombia, South America. I moved to the USA 15 years ago in June. My life is here and I love it. BUT, my family is in Colombia and so is part of my heart. I haven't been able to go back as much and I haven't seen my family a whole lot since 1998. In 15 years I have been able to see my grandmother only twice. Yes, twice!

Mi abuelita, she is one of the most important people in my life! She is not my genetic grandmother but I cannot think of her in any other way. When I go back to my childhood, all I can think of is her. Her, teaching me about life.

Mi abuelita Aminta has been  hospitalized 4 times in the last 2 months and I have NOT been able to be there by her side. That is something that completely breaks my heart! If I could only be there!

Do you have your grandparents close by? How often do you visit them? Are they mile apart? Can you call them to tell them how much you miss them? Don't wait until you can no longer say "I love you very much!"

TODAY is the perfect day to let them know how important they are.

The end

Special thanks to my little red, Abigail Carlson and her mother Holly Carlson for all their hard work 

And some very special thanks to my dear friend Mary Kay Sherry for all her work, help and support. 

A mi abuelita Aminta Motta,

     como te extraño y te amo! Me parte el corazón estar tan lejos y no poder estar contigo cuando has estado enfermita. Le pido a Dios que nos de vida y salud a las dos para yo poder volver a Colombia y poder volverte a ver, abrazar y decirte en persona cuanto te amo y cuan importante eres para mi. De ti aprendí a ser la buena mujer y madre que soy. A ti te debo mis mejores recuerdos de infancia {y aun mis pesadilla también con esos cuentos de miedo que solías contar} :) Extraño tu comida y tu sazón y sobre todo extraño tu cariño hacia mi. 

Tu eres y serás siempre parte de mi. Te amo mi viejita linda!

Tu favorita, Lilita :)

{my grandma and my son Matthew in 2006}