November 25 – When I was in elementary school, I would often stare at the New Mexico state flag on the wall, studying seemingly every inch of that bright yellow banner interrupted by the deep red hues of the Zia symbol.
I would ask myself, “What does it mean to be a New Mexican?” The usual answers would then come to mind. Being a New Mexican means getting up before the sun on a cold October morning to attend a mass ascension at Balloon Fiesta Park or helping your mother lay out the dough for biscochitos while Christmas mariachi music plays on the background plays.
As I grew older, the dialogue around our state began to change. When you heard “New Mexico,” it was often associated with crime statistics or how we last received an education.
It was disheartening to hear my house being talked about. I grew up here and was shaped by this beautiful state we call home. I knew there was much more that made us New Mexicans. All you had to do was look a little closer.
I’ve said before that there is nothing more inherent to New Mexican than helping our neighbors in need. I saw it every day growing up. There was a story behind every act of goodwill. A story that often remained untold.
Over a year ago, when I was charged with sharing the good news of New Mexico, I remembered the question from my youth: “What does it mean to be a New Mexican?” To answer that question, I began meeting and telling the stories of the people in our community whose mission is to improve the lives of their fellow New Mexicans.
I never imagined that among these people would be a team of young lifeguards who saved a man’s life after he suffered a heart attack, or an 80-year-old auto repair shop owner who has been mentoring future auto mechanics for more than 35 years. With each passing conversation, interview, and story publication, the answer to my long-standing question became clearer.
Being a New Mexican means going out of your way to help those in need. When you see someone being knocked down, offer him or her help in getting up and a path forward. In the short time I was exposed to the good news, I learned a lifetime of lessons on how to become a better person, community member, and storyteller.
After a story appears in the newspaper, we usually receive emails from sources thanking the Journal for taking the time to highlight the work they do. The work they do is often difficult and unsung, but invaluable.
At a time of year when we reflect on the things we are grateful for, I want to thank everyone who told us a story, took the time to sit down with us and talk about the work we doing. and because you do that work out of the goodness of your heart.
You all strive to make New Mexico a better place, and I hope our work at the Journal shines a light on the people who make us proud to be New Mexicans. There is still much work to be done and more stories to be told, but I can confidently say that I have found the answer to my question and I owe my gratitude to New Mexico and the wonderful people who call it home .
