Because on September 27 our lives changed, but my heart keeps going.

With love and gratitude to all of you:

Chef Enrique Perez, his daughters, and all my friends from Ay Caramba west Asheville, I love all of you to the point that words are hard to come by.

Thank you for all the food you provided for the people in west Asheville.

Che Raulito Maciel, for making me laugh like a mad man in the middle of all the chaos, and for bringing supplies to the community.

 God bless you my brother! Big hug coming your way next time I see you.

Doña Patty Saenz for distributing supplies out of Pupuseria Patty, and her husband Fidel Vasquez for helping me get that stranded girl to the hospital.

Juan David for your hard work on ground zero in Marshall, for sharing so much with me, and for taking me. 

Reet, Dylan, Gabe, and Brandy for the hug when I needed it, and for caring about our latino communities in the west side.You all made Eda’s Hideaway our source of hope and water. 

I have seen so much in the last 30 days, and at times I don’t feel that well, however I can’t thank you all enough for showing up in doing what you have done for our community. 

I’m feeling a mix of joy and pain, the trauma is real, the mind wonders, the heart feels.

What hurricane Helene has done to Asheville will never be forgotten, and I pray the lesson is learned. We are all human, and the only way we can build a community that is truly united is by showing compassion for one another.

The fall of 2024 is going to be one I will remember forever.

Thank you for all the love.

Lucho Serapio