Nostalgia is tonic for the soul

Nostalgia is tonic to the soul and serves to remind us about what's meaningful in life. In today's fast-changing world, we seem to compartmentalize our lives and seldom take time to relish the people and the events that help mold who we are.

Thanksgiving Day helped me stop and reflect on one of those times. I became nostalgic about the Catholic Guadalupe Mission where I was baptized. The Guadalupe Church on the west side of Salt Lake City started out as a mission to serve the poor, primarily Mexican at that time. It lived up to its purpose. Most of us parishioners were poor. And the Sunday collections reaffirmed that: seldom was there enough for the mission to pay the heating bills.

What the mission did do for us was to warm the spirit and the soul. With the guidance of Father Collins, who took the vows of poverty seriously right down to the worn holes in his pants and the soles of his shoes, us kids learned how to pray, play and work together.

Years later, as an adult, I was part of the church's committee to celebrate Mexico's patron saint the Virgen de Guadalupe on December 12th. The celebration begins with serenading our patron saint in the morning with Las Mañanitas, the Mexican happy birthday song. The committee decided it wanted to have a fundraising breakfast and that's where the true meaning of giving won out.

Having been acculturated in the traditional fundraising world, I figured the goal was to make money. I was quickly reminded of the culture and tradition of this parish, which was one of caring for the poor, rather than simply making money. My idea to serve hot chocolate and pan dulce, or a bagel to make a few bucks was immediately squelched. Others quickly reminded me that that wasn't enough food to give to people.

Someone suggested bacon and eggs and toast. However, by the time we were through debating what to serve, the menu included chorizo, bacon, eggs, rice, beans, and not just one tortilla, but two or three. In the meantime, the price remained the same — as though we'd only served hot chocolate and pan dulce.

The spirit of giving extended into the evening with a dancing celebration. I suggested that we might save money by using the church sound system to play the music. And again, my idea was dismissed because people needed something better. We ended up hiring a live band.

Needless to say, the whole day and evening was a success, and a good time was had by all. Not only was the body made full, the soul as well. I am sure the Virgen de Guadalupe was looking down upon us and happy we had done the right thing. As far as making money, I thought maybe we should hold off having another fundraiser for a while, but what do I know.

The experience I had in working on our patron saint's celebration helped me realize what my parents and Father Collins taught me about the meaning of life. It wasn't about things, rather how we relate and care for one another; that life is a journey full of blessings and we should take the time to relish every moment.

Nostalgia is a great tonic and we should take a good dose now and then.

A Utah native, John Florez has been on the staff of Senator Orrin Hatch, served as former Utah Industrial Commissioner and filled White House appointments, including Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor and Commission on Hispanic Education.