Love In Any Form Is Never Trivial

Today, being it was Easter Sunday, I decided to pursue a spiritual experience. For me, Easter is about reflecting on blessings and new beginnings, and what better place to do that then on top of a mountain. So, today was the day I decided to go to nearby town called Tepotzotlan. Tepotzotlan is a small, but bustling town nestled among rolling hills and blooming jacaranda trees. The name “Tepotzotlan” is actually derived from a náhuatl word meaning "among hunchbacks,“ referring to the high mountains which resemble humps.

However, before I actually arrived in Tepotzotlan, I decided to meet with some friends at a small café called, “Café de Poetas” or “The Poets Café”. This café has become one of my “usual” spots here due to the amazing sandwiches and the owners allowing me to plug in my iPod and single-handedly control the music selection that blares from two, huge speakers down the cobblestone streets next to the Palacio de Cortez. It’s quite an empowering feeling.

However, when I arrived at the café it was closed, so I settled on a ledge plugged in my iPod and began to hydrate for the challenging climb ahead. It wasn’t long until one of the employees of the café came walking by and sat next to me.

(translated from Spanish)
“Hey, what’s up?”
“Not much, I’m going to Tepo. today to climb the mountain.”
“Oh very cool! Yeah I’m supposed to open the café today, but I’m so tired. Do you want some company in Tepotzotlan?”
“I’m going with my friends, but sure, why not.”

And just like that, the café remained closed and we added a fourth compadre to our excursion.

The hike was hard. If it wasn’t for the inspirational scene of countless people twice my age passing me (one barefoot), it would have taken me ‘till sundown. But, I did indeed make it to the top to behold a stunning view. I sat there, back against a pyramid, overlooking the valley of mountains. I watched the birds circle above me and pondered, ‘how in the world did a group of people build an entire pyramid up here.’

However, as much as I’d like to reveal a deep and profound realization, most of my thoughts were centered around something quite trivial. I could not stop thinking about how a man, whom I have truly come to care about here, stood me up Saturday night and still hadn’t called to apologize. Over and over I tried to solve the age-old riddle of, “why do people make promises they don’t intend to keep”. If I had come up with anything, I promise I would share it with you all, but I’m still at square one.

Although, something did occur to me: as people, we are so desperate to be loved. Whether that love comes from God, our family, our friends, or an alluring man with a motorcycle, it’s this innate craving that will always dominate us. It’s also this primal pursuit that brings out both the best and the worst in us, and if there’s any holiday that demonstrates that, it’s Easter; and if there’s any guy who understands the pursuit of perfect love among imperfect people, it’s Jesus. But it’s exactly this search for love that defines our lives. In fact, I sincerely hope that on my final day I can say it was the pursuit to receive and give love that presided over my actions and defined my life. And I guess when I take on that perspective, thinking about a man when I’m sitting on top of the world doesn’t seem so trivial after all.