01/07/2024
While words are hard to come by for me right now, my heart is filled with so much gratitude and very important to me to thank people. All of your love and support in many ways the past few days have been overwhelming and there are no words to fully express how much they mean to me, my family, the Hacienda and the Mercado family. With all of your own things to deal with and financial pressures you face, you have taken time and money and effort to reach out and give kindness, compassion, support and love. Watching the power of the community rising up to help is so beautiful to see and will help those affected to move forward. We talk about community a lot but you have shown it exists and means everything.
The financial support you have shown is nothing short of disbelief. Thank you Anna for setting up my go fund me when I was paralyzed and Andrea for setting up the Portland Mercado Relief fund. Thank you for all the fundraisers that you put together so quickly for the bar and the mercado.
Thank you to every person that has sent me and the mercado a personal note, voicemail, comment on social media. It has touched my heart in a way that brings me hope and some light when there was only grief and devastation.
I wanted to share with you a poem that was hanging in the bar that I looked at every day that brought me so much pride in what I do. It was written by my friend Frank Holt and embodies what Barrio represents in my life and my community.
Thank you to all my friends and the community that have been there for me, checking in, sending food and concern and love. I feel your arms around me with your virtual hugs and this helps me right now more than you know. Thank you from every fiber of my being. I don’t know what the future brings but I look forward to the day I can see you again with a smile and thank you in person. Until that day comes, please pet your dogs and tell them I also miss them dearly.
