The Tía as a Bridge: Resilience, Tradition, and Family
Las tías, Evelyn Galindo
In Latin American culture, the word "tía" is more than just a title; it's a testament to the powerful, often unsung, force within a family. For many of us, our aunts are second mothers, often less bogged down by the day to day minutia of parenting. Tías are the keepers of our traditions and the quiet guides along life’s path. They are, in every sense of the word, a bridge.
My own tía was the first to build that bridge for our family. When we first came to the United States from El Salvador, she gave us more than just a place to stay; she gave us a home. Her house was a safe harbor where we could land and find our footing in a new world.
But her resilience didn't stop there. She was a single mother who had navigated unimaginable loss after her husband died in a terrible accident. Through her own struggles, she taught us what it means to be strong. She showed us how to honor our past while embracing our new lives; something that she has had to do time and again in one lifetime.
She was also the one who helped our family merge two cultures. I'll never forget how she’d combine Salvadoran traditions with our new American ones. She was the one who taught us how to make turkey, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce on Thanksgiving, reminding us that we could be both Salvadoran and American at the same time. She made sure our heritage wasn't something to be left behind but was a vibrant, living part of our new identity.
My art is a tribute to women like her. A painting of a group of tías preparing food isn't just a picture; it’s an homage to the tías who are mothers, friends and protectors of tradition. A piece of art that depicts a community of women gathering isn't just a scene; it's an homage to the bond of sorority and the invaluable wisdom that our aunts pass down to us.
The next time you are with your tía or tías, take a moment to appreciate the significant cultural role she plays. She is a living archive of your family's joy and a testament to the power of community and unconditional love. She is, in every sense of the word, an unsung hero.
