I’m Tere.
I also go by other nicknames depending on who you ask and how we’ve met. But in a nutshell, I’m like you. A woman who’s had a few lessons of her own and is fueled to be a better version of herself. Today, I want to share my story and why this blog is so meaningful for women who share my same values or background.
My Ethnicity
I am a proud Puerto Rican female born in Puerto Rico and raised in South Florida since the age of 6. Both of my parents moved to the United States in pursuit of a better lifestyle for our family. My nuclear family consisted of mami, papi, my sister and me. None of us spoke any English but we all shared a common value, grit and love.
My Parent's Educational Background
My dad had some college education but family responsibilities got in the way before we moved to the U.S. and, as many hispanic men, his responsibility was to provide financially for his home no matter the cost. My mom finished high school by the skin of her teeth.
What Growing Up Was Like...
My childhood was very blessed despite being poor. We never owned a home growing up and the apartments my parents could afford did not pass 2-bedrooms, which means that the majority of my life, I’ve had to share a room with my sister, who is 7 years older. No new or fancy appliances, at times relied on food stamps and medicaid, and starting out in the U.S. definitely did not include brand new furniture or lavish car to get around. We had what we needed to get by.
My parents managed to run a household of 4 with a rough combined income of less than 45k a year for many years. Of course, I never knew I was poor because I never felt like I lacked anything. I've always felt love, had warm meals, a roof over my head, and gifts on my birthday and Christmas. Not that I asked for much either but everything that I had was more than enough.
I knew we weren't rich because sometimes our family quality time was driving to rich neighborhoods and participate in sightseeing all the beautiful mansions Fort Lauderdale had to offer to our eyes. We did this a lot, not realizing that this was my parent's way of living vicariously through these homes.
As I grew older, I began to see the challenges that my parents faced as non-English speaking parents raising kids in the U.S., the place of the "American Dream" (but not really). Sometimes my dad had to steal from the local pharmacy to get medicine if we were sick when there was no money. We got evicted once and co-lived with other family members for a little while. 8 people living in a 2-bedroom, 1-bath old apartment that I’m pretty sure wasn't even up to code. But we had a roof and I had them in my life.
We always lived in low socioeconomic neighborhoods that were predominantly black and hispanic. Honestly, they weren’t the greatest neighborhoods in the county but it’s what my parents could afford. You can say that whites were a minority where I’m from.
As a Puerto Rican woman, my blood runs deeps in the perfect blend of Taino, Spanish and African cultures. My cultural background has blessed me with the gift to identify and blend with the different shades of color within my community regardless of ethnicity. I know the struggles, I've seen how harsh realities crash dreams of little ones growing up, and I understand the true challenges women who share similar backgrounds have had to deal with but also still dealing with as they're trying to get better today.
My Personal Reflections as a Woman and Mother
As a mother now, I understand the sacrifices my parents made and their fire for constantly pushing me to be the best version of myself. There were some tough times and I’ve always felt that it’s on me to make sure their sacrifices were not done in vain.
Both my sister and I carry lots of generational weight. Hers is much heavier given she is older, had different fathers and questioned her sexual orientation in silence. Weight looks and feels different for everyone. Yet, weight is still heavy when it rests on your shoulders for many years.
Being a hispanic woman, household responsibilities such as servicing others before yourself is a real thing in our culture. Doesn't matter if you’re a first generation hopping over to the U.S., second generation or third. If your roots are deep, many of us carry this shadow everywhere we go. And it translates to everything else outside your home.
My Humble Intentions in Sprinkle of Care
Feminine independence is a skill I learned in between the lines from my upbringing in the Black and Brown communities. Most of us learn it from experience, whether generational or personal, and it’s one of the qualities that makes us very strong as women.
For quite some time, I’ve been internalizing this urge to empower Millennial and Gen-Z women to shine in their own unique and amazing ways. What I bring to this blog is truly my heart and soul for all women who are willing to digest my content and who truly want to invest in themselves.
Over the last 15 years, I’ve invested myself in personal and professional development to become the best version of myself. This includes achieving multiple degrees throughout the years, giving and receiving mentorship and, most importantly, putting myself in uncomfortable learning environments.
In the last decade and a half working as a higher education professional and having the beautiful opportunity to mentor other young women from similar backgrounds, I’ve learned what makes me feel alive.
This energy became even more powerful when I gave birth to my daughter, who will face social and racial challenges as she grows up. It’s my fire to teach her and other beauties like her that being different is beautiful and being a woman overall is powerful.
Why This Blog
There’s so many online sources that post inspirations on personal development on the internet and social media. Very few are catered to the woman who grew in a community where society has already labeled her a statistic of potential failure. Yet, there she is building herself up from the ground up to lay the foundations of her own legacy.
I created this platform because I want to inspire women who see a little bit of me in themselves. To represent you and show you that you can be a badass in your own unique way. To remind you of your self-worth and offer resources that unleash your potential, whether it’s at home or work.
There’s so many of us out there who live every single day just trying to get by. We play so many roles in society and within our very own households, that with all our daily chaos, we forget to work on our inner glow.
Sprinkle of Care shares stories, resources and tips to inspire and give direction on how to go about your days more effectively and wholesome. A safe space to learn and be a better you.
Invest in yourself. You’re worth it.
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