My Spanish abuelirris was full of wisdom.  I still hear these favorite dichos of hers in my head:

“Los hombres se enamoran de las mujeres y las mujeres se enamoran del amor.” 

“Se sabe cómo empiezan las cosas, pero nunca se sabe cómo terminarán.”

and her darkest dicho: “Siéntate en la puerta de tu casa, y verás pasar el cadáver de tu peor enemigo.” 

It seemed she had a comment, a warning, a comfort for every occasion.

I’m not so good with the sound bite (my best communication is usually written), but I do have one dicho of my own I really like, and it’s probably the one my kids will learn from me: “Save the drama pa’ la pantalla!”

Fíjense, as a writer, I think drama is inevitable, and necessary for plot, and character development in literature, in theater, on film, and yes, in life… but as a modern 1^st world woman, I get a little fed up with a lot of the drama we mujeres create for ourselves hoy en día.  I want to drill into my kids that while it’s important to be able to process the rise and fall of life, it’s not acceptable in our family to ponerse en ridiculo because you seem to thrive on drama, rather than just get some perspective, take the help you need, and deal.

Maybe I get that from my American mom who, while she was going through major drama when we lived in Spain and I was growing up, taught me two other (and super American, I think) sayings I hope to pass along (especially to my girls): to “Paddle your own canoe,” and to “Buck up!” 

Dichos are awesome in any language, verdad? Those little doses of tradition, social commentary, history, humor, perspective, persistence, hope. 

 What are some of your favorites?  Pass them on!

* photo by oooh.oooh.