Noface- nameless

I keep finding myself looking back at all the pictures from APIAbama. 

And I haven’t been telling people much about what had happened except how much I enjoyed it and how warm everyone was. 

Maybe it had to do with me wanting to savor the moments to myself, and if I dared to speak about how wonderful it was to others, it won’t be as personal anymore. 

But this whole week I just kept thinking about how much I miss everyone. 

It was so personal for me, especially because I went with the fear that I would become an outcast again or that I won’t be able to fit in but it turned out to be the exact opposite. Each and every one of them where so wonderful and inspirational. We just literally feed off of everyone’s radiance. For me, it was the first place in the API community where it was OKAY to be undocumented. 

There were no awkward stares or silences, just lots of hugs and beautiful smiles. 

I am just sadden to realize that we dont have that community here yet in Georgia. But this also empowers me to strive to make such space here in the south. Because we definitely need one. I need one. 

Physically it was a very cold weekend but my heart was just inundated with so much warmth, I just have to go back to the pictures to remember how warm everything, every moment, everyone was. And I can’t help but to smile every time. 

We started calling each other the APIAbama family. And when I think about it now, I think that is exactly who we were or are. Even though we had only spent 3 days with each other, we had formed this bond, this connection like we were one family. 

I think the “One Family, One Alabama” resonated perfectly with our group. 

I miss everyone so much and I will try my best to stay in contact with everyone. Seriously, this cannot be one of those friendly things you have to say to people when you say goodbyes but really, these people, I am going to keep them in my life. whether they like it or not!  <3 <3