Enrique's Writings

(From the Latin: “You are dust, and to dust you shall return.”) For those who follow the Christian faith, today is Ash Wednesday, a holy and solemn day marking the beginning of Lent: seven weeks of prayer, fasting, and acts of charity leading up to Easter, the sacred week that commemorates the martyrdom and resurrection of Christ. Realizing what day, it was stirred a vivid memory from when I was about seven years old, visiting my grandmother Carmen in San Salvador. My grandma was a deeply devout Roman Catholic. She loved attending her local parish in her neighborhood, but during special celebrations she would visit an old church in the center of the city. The Church of the Calvary, rebuilt in the 1920s in a striking Gothic style, rose from the ashes of the original 1660 structure that had been destroyed by a massive fire and devastating earthquakes that nearly leveled the city. To many, it was majestic. To me, it was terrifying. I dreaded going there because of a statue of Saint Lucy, ...

Every Saturday evening, the family gathered around the table for dinner. It was almost the only time when everyone was expected to be home. Their lives were so busy that sharing meals together during the week was nearly impossible, so these dinners had become a cherished ritual, one where everyone made a conscious effort to attend. Over time, the tradition grew beyond the family itself. Friends and acquaintances were often invited, until the Saturday dinners became well known for their warmth, laughter, and sense of belonging. This Saturday, however, was different. There was a reason to celebrate. David was marking Lyanne’s return after a year spent volunteering abroad, as well as the remarkable news that she had been offered a teaching position in public health at the university. The house was fuller than usual; the table crowded with familiar faces. It was Lyanne’s homecoming, an evening meant to overflow with stories, playful teasing, and the collective relief that she was finally h...

Trying to draft the essay due the following Monday had become an impossible task for Lyanne. For the first time, she couldn’t come to terms with the assignment in front of her. Why can’t I concentrate? she kept asking herself, without finding a satisfying answer. Meanwhile, David, her partner, called her downstairs to have supper together. As she descended from her study, he looked at her with concern. “What’s the matter? You look… puzzled,” he said softly. She quickly dismissed his question, explaining that she was struggling to prepare an essay due in three days. As David poured the wine, he reminded her with a smile that going for a walk had always helped her clear her head adding “At least before you went abroad that year. Maybe tonight it’ll do the trick again.” Lyanne drank a little too much wine, but she truly enjoyed the meal David had prepared, nothing fancy, yet perfectly comforting. Pasta with mushrooms and salmon, and of course, copious amounts of garlic bread. They laughed...