VERONICA AIMEE CENTENO-CRUZ: GRACE, HUMILITY AND OPTIMISM IN THE FACE OF BIG CHALLENGES

I have to admit to being a bit bouncy right now. It happens every year around this time. It’s as if I emerge from the doldrums of late summer with a renewed sense of purpose and, yes, even optimism. The change of the calendar from August to September is exciting for me. I always anticipate good things for September and October. E and I were married in September—and yes, I haven’t forgotten our anniversary. There is a change in the quality of the light, weather is a bit crisper and that optimism for a better future always seems to move in. 

Now I know this might sound ludicrous in the face of everything going on.  I know if you are a parent of school age or college age children or a student yourself you might feel very little reason for excitement as most of you are starting school virtually and not getting to do the normal things of school. I’m sorry about this as the start of school is always a benchmark in our lives. but if you can just fuel even a tiny spark of positivity it might help you feel at least a little better. 

Speaking of optimism, today’s guest, Veronica Aimee Centeno-Cruz, is a study in optimism. Veronica was in the 2018 documentary film Me, the Other, which centers around the marginalization of people because of their backgrounds, heritage, or lifestyle. The film, which was produced and shown extensively locally, displays the challenges of 12 people who don’t feel to be a part of “normal” life. 

Veronica, for example, who is Puerto Rican, grew up with her single mom in Ypsilanti, Michigan because her biological father decided when Veronica was little not to participate in the household. As she talks about in our conversation, Veronica became a de facto a parent in her home. Her mom, Aimee, was in and out of hospitals throughout Veronica’s childhood. In fact by the time she appeared in Me the Other, Veronica’s mom had had three liver transplants. 

So even at the tender ages of 5, 6, 7 Veronica was looking after her mom, ensuring her medications were lined up, her mom was comfortable and even helped to prepare meals when her mom was too sick or tired to cook. This forced Veronica to grow up quickly.

When Veronica’s mom met a man and remarried, things weren’t perfect. Sham, her mom’s husband, took to Veronica right away and became her dad. You can hear Veronica’s pride and joy talking about Sham and belting out songs while he jammed on the drums. But that turned dark for Veronica as Sham was in and out of prison and was killed just as she started filming the documentary. 

Inspired by her mom's health issues, Veronica is now a student in Occupational Therapy at Eastern Michigan University. She carries a kind of grace, a humility, a gratitude and yes, even a sense of optimism for life despite her challenges. To hear Veronica talk about this gratitude in our conversation is inspiring and I hope you feel it too. 

I hope you enjoy my conversation with Veronica Aimee Centeno-Cruz.
Links:
Veronica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hairwithvero/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/veronica.centenocruz.5
Me, the Other on Instagram: https://www.instagram

Website: https://christianrward.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christianrward/