Selena

I met Selena Sunday as I sat with my dad on the steps of the central city plaza in Coyoacan, Mexico.

Thousands of people congregate in this public space every Sunday to dance… play… kiss… and partake in other joyous activities.

Selena came up to me and said (in Spanish), “Would you accept this message from a stranger?” and handed me a napkin with a note on it.

Perdonar es posible solo despues de perdonarse a si mismo.

“To forgive is possible only after you have forgiven yourself.”

She then asked me to write a message of love on another napkin which she would give to another stranger.

“So why are you doing this?” I asked.

She said she wanted to change what she thought was a negative image of Mexico. She said la gente Mexicana are una gente honesta, sincera, amable — honest, sincere, likeable.

I had some great experiences last week in Mexico City, but this one moment persists in my mind.

I observed from a distance as Selena took my note and handed it to another stranger, who smiled upon reading it.