Esperanza

From the airport made my way to the Flamingo Hilton on the strip. Waiting on my parents to make it back from the Golden Nugget downtown, on the phone I said hello to Canvas their favorite Vegas bartender. Meanwhile I sat at the bar with Vi the bartender who knew me. My parents have been going to the same two Vegas spots for more than twenty years.

Finally my Mom, Dad, Abuelita, Madrina and Great Aunt made it back. I went to the cafe with my Great Aunt, then my Mom and Madrina showed up. My primos were already texting and trying to coordinate our evening out.

Made it up to my room at the very top floor overlooking the pool, it was good to be back in the Nevada desert. With no time to apply the fake eyelashes, I had bought with my friend when she was visiting San Francisco from LA. Still tried to channel my inner Amy Winehouse eye makeup. Cobalt blue and black dress and platform black patent leather heels and I was ready.

Headed to the Palms, to meet with my generation of family. Arizona, South Carolina, Texas, and California. None of us are very good at waiting in line, so, we crossed the velvet rope and emerged at the Ghost Bar. I love my family.

Later as we drank rounds, took family votes and danced, I said to them, "I love my life." "Love that we are family." They took it up, and toasted, "we love our life."

Before we knew it we had taken up a side lounge and they were turning up the music, the dj was hanging out with us, and time had no meaning. We agreed somewhere along 4am to have brunch with our parents the next day.

At 10:30 the next morning the brunch plans were set. I needed two aspirins and a coke, but made my way to the Paris for a family lunch.

This time my dad and primo arranged a private dining room and we walked right in. We told them all about the night before, yes, we had partied like rockstars and loved our life. Three hours later people had to leave to their respective states.

We had one more night, champagne brunch had definitely been a family highlight.

The next morning my Dad got a call. His grandmother had died peacefully in her sleep. I was sad, that I had lost my last Great-Grandmother. In my lifetime I was able to know three of my four Great-Grandparents. Now my Bisabuelita Dolores Martinez got to meet my Bisabuelita Esperanza Carrillo. We have family everywhere. Love.