Quinceanera Traditions

It's been two years since I celebrated my Quinceanea. I'm now preparing to go off to college. Even though it's only been two years. So much has happened to me since I put on my Quinceanea dress, my Quinceanera tiara and my high heels.

It all started that special day. The day I walked out the door as a little girl and at the end of the evening I realized I was no longer a little girl any longer. I knew I had to think of myself differently. I knew when I took my oath at the mass that at the church and I made a committment to God, my family and the community. I knew that now I was no longer was going to be considered the little girl. But most important I was both happy and scared about my new role in life. I was a teenager with new challenges and new responsiblilies.

I will always remember what impacted me the most on my very important day of my life. It wasn't my Quince dress and how looked. In fact I thought I didn't look that pretty. I was so nervous I didn't spend any time looking in the mirror. Everyone else was taking care of how my hair and makeup fixed.

Other than the special Quinceanera mass at church it was the last dance I had with my father. The band was playing a special song. I heard the words that saying I was no longer my father's little girl. After that dance was over and I got a beautiful hug from my father with tears of joy in his eyes, I then knew I was no longer his little girl and no longer was I a lttle girl.

I looked in the mirror that night, after the party was over.  I realized my life was going to be different from there on. I needed to spend lots of time speaking with my mother about my future. I knew I wanted to go to college. my mother was very supportive of my plan, but I would not be there to help her with my sisters. I was very close and loved my mother deeply, but I realized I wanted to have a different life than she has.

I had been doing well in school and I loved helping kids. I also have an aunt who is a nurse. So I was thinking about having a career in nursing. I thought about my path being fun and I would be successful. Or I could be scared as I was the beginning of the day of my Quinceanera and never achieving my goals. I read Priscilla Mills book: Quinceanea Connection and I had a mentor, so I was ahead of many teenagers my age.

I was doing much better in my science and math classes now. I will always remember the words of the prayer on my special day to Mary. I made my commitment to follow those words and that has been my path ever since.

I leaned after my Quinceanera that first I had to be true to myself. Even though I was in highschool where peer friendship was most important. I followed what Priscilla Mills said in her book the chapter:'On Being a Teen'.

1.Take responsibilty for your own actions.

2. Don't blame others for mistakes you made.

3. Accepting criticism.

4. Believe in yourself.

5. Accept and respect your parents for who they are.

6. Focus on positive thoughts and actions.

7. Practice good health habits.

8. Be generous to others.

9. Appreciate being alive.

10. Practice forgiveness.

In closing I want to share with you the beautiful quote that's in Priscilla's book from Eleanor Roosevelt - (wife of the 32nd president of the United States) " No one can make you feel inferior without your own conscent."

Wishing all your dreams come true,

Sandra