Religion and Spirituality

In my lifetime, religion isn't something I've been strict with or closed-minded to. I was baptized catholic by my Hispanic family, and I have a mother who grew up as a Jehovah's witness. My mom stopped identifying as a Jehovah's witness once she moved out of her parent's home. Not long after I was baptized catholic, my Hispanic family stopped identifying as Catholic. For many years I didn't have an identity within religious communities. I've gone to a Jehovah's witness hall, Catholic church, Baptist church, and Christian church. I think I related most to the Christian church and the values; it taught true unconditional love. It wasn't a specific denomination; I wasn't extremely aware of denominations until I moved to the South. From what I experienced in the Christian church, music was used to unify everyone in the community no matter how old they were. 

On a regular Sunday morning, the music was simple and not too loud for the older people; it was very conjunct. They made sure the music wasn’t too loud because the older people were known for complaining about it often. The church had a band; it consisted of a drummer, guitar player, pianist, and three women singing. You could expect to hear a song like "Hosanna". The song was comfortable for the younger and older audience. It's not too slow to bore the teens, but it's not too fast to upset the elderly. It's all about finding a nice balance on Sunday mornings. 

 If you wanted to hear the band play more upbeat and modern music, then you went to youth night on Thursday nights. The singers were able to sing their hearts out a little more and the drummer played much louder than on Sunday mornings. You could expect them to play something like "Wake" or "Alive" by Hillsong Young and Free. It still has a Christian message, but the beat is similar to something you would find in pop music. 

A tradition I loved to participate in was vacation bible school. Everyone who was between the ages of 13 to 19 years old helped with the younger kids in summer classes. It was always fun bonding with people my age and the younger kids. I always stayed in the station that was outside with chalk, bubbles, and games. There was fun music and dance routines for the kids to learn throughout the week; I loved seeing their smiles and dance moves. The music woke the children up in the morning and got them moving. It made everyone excited to start the day. 

Every month the women in the church would have an event to bond and build relationships. We would have tea parties in the spring and do a mug exchange in the winter. They would put on Christian music playlists during those events; the song I remember hearing at every event was "This is the Stuff" by Francesca Battestelli. The song is about everyday frustrations that we get caught up in, and having to remember things happen for a reason or could be worse. It makes me remember what's actually important like friends and family being alive and well. It makes you appreciate all aspects of life.