Are you a christian or a catholic?
Well growing up as a child in a dysfunctional family was very confusing. I spent more time at both my grandparents homes then with my parents. My mom and my dad were never married by the time I was 3 years old, they were no longer together. My moms side Los Gomez and my dads side Los Ybarra. My moms side of the family always seemed so perfect (well they still do). They are JEHOVAH WITNESSES. I would go with my grandparents to la reunion when I stayed at there place. I enjoyed going. My grandma literally handmade all my dresses they were only be worn for those days we attended la reunion. Everyone was always so nice. As a child I suppose the only thing that bothered me then was we didn’t celebrate any holidays. But as I said I was a child and the thought of no gifts was horrifying to me. LOL.
My dads side of the family are Catholics. I don’t ever remember going to church with them but I do remember celebrating birthdays. I do recall 1 of my dads girlfriends taking me to a catholic church one time. I also remember going to a christian church as a child that was in the neighborhood it was close to Christmas time. They gave us a present for attending. But I also remember not participating in the songs or some games that day simply because I remember what we could and couldnt do at my grandmas (Gomez) home. I asked many questions that day because they were saying different things from what I was taught. The people that worked there seemed very confused by all the questions I was asking. When I got back to my grandmas home (Ybarra) I asked her many questions. Again my questions would not get answered. Adults seemed to become uncomfortable by what I wanted to know. I asked a few teachers during my childhood but I was either bothering them or thinking to much. My mom didn’t go to church but she beleived in the Santisima Muerte. She beleived in other things that I really don’t feel are right to even speak of. Now as a adult I stand here with a sudden impact of attending many churches searching for 1 that will make feel like I belong. A few years back I got real sick. It was very scary I thought I wasnt go to be alive to see my kids grow up. From doctors doing many different test and prescribing different medicine with every visit if felt like. Pain began to be uncontrollable with anything unless I took the stronger pain meds which all they did was knock me out. My husband and all his family are baptized Catholics but he never attended church as a adult. His mom recommened us que fueramos para la casa de dios and ask for forgivness and get me baptized. His aunt and uncle took me to speak the priest about getting baptized. I recall the priest asking me many questions. Questions about my sickness and how I felt, and when it all started. He finally just flat out asked me do think you could be possessed. I stopped talking and wasn’t sure what to say to that. But a trip to Monterey Mexico was in the plans all of a sudden. I was super excited since I had never gone to Mexico. I thought it was going to be more of a vacation to meet my mother in law. Lots of people praying and doing alot of walking and them cutting my stomach open was involved. I was scared screamed loudly. People were all in a circle praying and others were holding me down. After that I tried my hardest to act normal and just be myself. The 7 days I was there were something else. From there we stayed in a house in Fort Worth, Texas. All I wanted to do was just go home to my husband. My trip was nothing like I had hoped or thought it would be like. I always heard people talk about there vacations to different places and I never had never been on one. By this point let me tell you I am more confused and scared then ever.
I just want to point out my grandmas (Gomez side) family did a good job teaching and taking care of me for the time that they had me. It was a lot of fun to me. I wish that my time that was spent with them wouldn’t of been so short. I do beleive that if I would of stayed with them maybe my answers about religion and GOD would of been answered. They tried to teach me for the very short time I was there.
Now as I sit here and try to answer this question of what do I call myself Catholic or Christian or Jehovah Witness? All I can say is that I honestly feel as though putting a label on any religion is alittle absurd.
As long as we all understand that GODS NOT DEAD.
I don’t feel like it’s are birth right to judge other peoples religion. Whatever it may be! As long as they are not commiting some horrible crime on a living thing or something. I know that I believe in GOD. I let my kids know this everyday. God is real and no one should be ashamed of saying it out loud. I love all my family and respect there thoughts and beliefs.
