A Poem for Borinquen (and a Message of Hope)

I wrote this simple poem as a teenager growing up in the metropolitan city of San Juan, Puerto Rico. I wrote it while driving to San Sebastián with Mami to visit my beautiful Abuelita Patria and the rest of our family on the western side of the island. Many of those familiar, picturesque roads to San Sebastián are now gone, swept away by hurricane María. I'm so thankful that they live on in my mind, where I continue to enjoy the landscapes while we all await their return — in time.

My heart longs for my island and its people. The images are tough to assimilate so, every day, I turn my longing into fervent prayers. This poem I wrote so long ago is about my patria (my homeland) and the love in my heart for the jíbaro in the mountains, inland, where they live surrounded by the beauty of God's creation yet, at times, lacking luxuries of modern life like cement roofs and walls. This, of course, makes them more vulnerable to the destruction brought on by hurricanes.

The jíbaro is the backbone of our culture and the birthplace of island hospitality. They are beautiful and kind, always giving cheerfully of what little they have ... and now they desperately need us to be generous to them. I know they continue to work tirelessly every day to restore the land, try to salvage crops, and (especially) to help and support their neighbors, regardless of the cost. I am so thankful for the outpouring of generosity and good will toward the people of Puerto Rico, and I pray it continues until every need is met.

Here is my simple poem of love for the kindness, generosity, and simplicity of every jibarito who stole my heart years ago, and taught me that joy and contentment are birthed by giving...

Mi Borinquen

Es mi patria

un sueño,

un destello,

un paraíso.

Es mi gente

tierra adentro

humilde, hermosa.

A ellos extraño

cuando estoy lejos

y nunca he vivido

entre ellos.

Photo credit Héctor M Semidey (photo of his drawing in pencil, ©1998)

As we all continue to process the ongoing events in Puerto Rico, the message of hope in this short sermon helps comfort the heart and settle the soul. May it help us all as we continue to do what we can in the midst of this tragedy, for we know and trust that "God weaves goodness into every story" (Fr. Russell).

In Hope,

Dr Mari

For more messages of hope, go to Thanksgiving Musings: Love Wins and Hope for Today: Inherit the Promise.

* Borinquen is the name the native Taíno Indians gave the island of Puerto Rico. It means "Land of the Valiant Lord." 

Overflow from the damaged Guajataca River Dam in San Sebastián on Sept. 23, 2017, following passage of Hurricane María. (Credit: Hector Retamal / AFP / Getty Images)

Translation of my teenage poem

My Borinquen

My homeland 

is a treasure,

a bright star,

a paradise.

And my people,

inland,

so beautiful,

so humble.

It is them I miss

when afar,

though I've not lived

among them.

I always lived in the city in Puerto Rico, though my heart belongs inland. I love you, jibarito! 

May God bless you and keep you.

Central Florida Helps Puerto Rico After Hurricane Maria

by: Amaryllis Sánchez Wohlever, MD

When I wrote the most recent blog post (Hope for the Storms of Life), I had no idea that a much worse disaster would follow so soon. Hurricane Irma passed through central Florida more directly than anticipated, yet the impact could have been much worse. Even with the relatively small impact on my immediate community, the storm brought together our neighborhood. I am so grateful for the gift of community and fellowship.

Since then, an unprecedented storm ravaged my home island of Puerto Rico. The category 4 storm (with gusts of category 5 winds) left the entire island without power, many without water, and most without internet or phone access. Many towns remain completely out of reach due to collapsed bridges and communication towers, and thousands of people remain vulnerable to further damage from ongoing rain days after the storm. A humanitarian crisis has ensued, and although much help continues to arrive, distribution remains a challenge.

As you know, as a family physician and pastor's wife in central Florida, I love to serve as a bridge between ministries that serve the needy, the poor, and the underserved. I recognize the need to prepare our city for the influx of people with urgent medical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs in the coming weeks and months. I recognize the need to come together now to maximize the current resources and create new ones as specific needs are anticipated and recognized.

Thus, I'd like to use this blog as well as my Twitter page (@faithfulMDcoach) to connect ministries and efforts so we can collaborate without reinventing the wheel, and so we can help the most people efficiently and well--including meeting their spiritual and emotional needs as they arrive.

Here is a list of items to donate with drop-off locations in central Florida (see below for more).

We will help you rebuild. Puerto Rico, you are not alone!

A few other excellent resources:

United for Puerto Rico

Mental Health/Emotional Support Resource

Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration 

Central Florida Medical Ministries (scroll down on the right side of this blog for links)

Please spread the word and let me know of other resources and evolving relief efforts in central Florida. I will do all I can to update information as needed.

¡Puerto Rico se levanta con nuestra ayuda! (Puerto Rico will rise with our help!)

Blessings and Peace,

Dr Mari

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:18

Hear, Lord, and be merciful to me; Lord, be my help.  

Psalm 30:10