I’m writing from the sky and smiling because it is such a very melodramatic declaration to make and also because I’m highly sentimental and melodramatic and I love these parts of myself.

I think my melodramatics are at least in some part, cultural. With all the “Ay Dios,” cautionary tales of monsters in the hills, weeping women in the streams, heavy sighs and tongue clacking of my mother, her mother and my many aunts it would seem impossible (disappointing even) if I were to turn out otherwise.

Even the people in my family who were not insane used the fear of monsters to keep us from going into the garage (dangerous cement steps) or playing outside after dark (strangers). The word “Cucuy” was often whispered with exaggerated grimaces of fear; we were frequently reminded that we were always in the presence of monsters.