Why Ramona christine?
Why not Ramona, Mona, or Mo?
I have chosen to share a personal story for a few reasons. Firstly, I understand how scary or intimidating it may feel when someone offers an invitation for you to reveal personal and intimate stories about yourself, so I am going out on a limb to be vulnerable on a public platform. Secondly, I want to share this story to describe how family stories intertwine and play a significant role in our worldviews and perceptions of ourselves - whether we are aware of them or not. Thirdly, it is an opportunity for you to get to know me and my personality style. This is probably the most important reason because you deserve to know and have the right to know who you may choose to entrust with your person.
I am a Denver, Colorado native. I was born at Fitzsimmons Military Hospital in Aurora, Colorado. I learned later in life, through a DNA revealing, that I am Filipino (Eastern Asian), Spanish (Southern European), and Navajo (Native American).
I was raised by a single mother and a close-knit Hispanic family which included my aunt, uncles, and grandparents. I am the eldest of all the grandchildren and in a Hispanic family, caring for my family members (young and old) was my natural place in the matriarchal line.
I knew of my father growing up, but he was not a part of my upbringing. I knew of him, and so did many, because of his outgoing and flamboyant personality. All the girls in the neighborhood loved my father - he was the popular guy in town and pursued by many.
My grandmother was the biggest influence in my life because she was my teacher and my guide. As a young child, most of my time was spent with her while my single mother did what she had to do, like work a couple jobs, as a single mother of two young daughters. My grandmother was the spiritual center of our family. She did all the praying, counseling, nurturing, healing, and protecting of all the family members - and community members as well. My grandmother was a Curandera, a spiritual healer. I learned from her how to use faith and the power of prayers especially during difficult times - and there were plenty of those.
I am one of fifteen siblings. I am one of three, second born children of my father. Confusing? I have two brothers the same age; born in the same year, just a few months apart from each other. We have the same father but different mothers.
One brother was born in August, another brother was born in October, and I was born in November.
The mother of my father's first born child was pregnant with one of those brothers. This would be her second child with my father. The other mother of my other brother did not reveal who she was pregnant by until many, many years later - like fifteen years later.
When the mother of my brother learned that my mother was pregnant from my dad, she attempted to poison my mother into a miscarriage. Yes, I am giggling as I write this story, imagining someone working through a logical problem of squares and dots.
When my mother and grandmother realized that my mother had been poisoned, and was experiencing symptoms of miscarriage, my grandmother conjured a home remedy to stop the bleeding and the cramping. My grandmother also went into prayer mode, working with one particular family patron saint, Saint Ramon (St. Ramon). St. Ramon is the protector of women and children during difficult births and/or deliveries.
I was born premature with some jaundice (which is common), but, otherwise, healthy. My grandmother named me after St. Ramon and gave me my Christian name of Christine (the female version of Christian) in devotion of her faith and gratitude of divine activity.
Until I was told this story and until I learned, through seminary, just how important one's faith is to their identity and place in the world, I simply went by Mona or Mo. In loving honor of my grandmother and my birthright story, I changed the use of my name to be formally Ramona Christine.
I did not choose to pursue a profession in Spiritual Counseling to follow in my grandmother's foot steps. I actually wanted to be an Architect or a Computer Programmer. My life has led the way and directed me where I am today. In seminary, we referred to this diverted journey as "A Calling".
It has been a very long journey of strife, grief, loss, trauma, spiritual brokenness, and healing and recovery that has brought me here, where I am today, serving others for health and wellness so that life can be navigated in life-giving and meaningful ways.
Thank you for sharing in and engaging just one of my personal stories. Blessings.